Tungsten Oxide Reactor for High-Density Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumped hydro energy storage systems have low volumetric energy density, limited siting flexibility, high energy inefficiency due to mechanical energy conversion, and slow response times, making them unsuitable for rapid energy demand changes.
Innovation Solution
A reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell (RSOEC) system using a porous cathode, anode, and electrolyte with a reactor containing tungsten or tungsten oxide, which electrolyzes water to generate hydrogen and oxygen for energy storage and reversibly converts tungsten oxide to tungsten for energy recovery, operated between 600°C to 1000°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pumped hydro energy storage systems are used, then large volume energy storage is achieved, but volumetric energy density is low
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters from ambient temperature to high temperature (600-1000°C), enabling the use of tungsten oxide reduction chemistry which achieves much higher volumetric energy density while maintaining significant energy storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of tungsten oxide between different oxidation states (WO3 to W) to store and release energy, replacing the mechanical phase transitions of pumped hydro with chemical phase transitions that occupy much smaller volumes
2Speed
If pumped hydro energy storage systems are used, then response time to changing energy demand is achieved, but response time is slow in the minutes to hour time scale
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating temperature to high temperatures (600-1000°C), which dramatically accelerates the reaction kinetics of tungsten oxide reduction and oxidation, enabling rapid energy storage and discharge responses
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of the electrochemical reactions, allowing rapid adjustment of reaction rates by controlling reactant flow and electrical input, enabling fast response to changing energy demand conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high volumetric energy density, efficient energy storage and recovery with rapid response times, and operates as a compact, modular, and scalable solution, overcoming the limitations of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyte capable of transporting oxygen ions
Implementation Method 2
the RSOEC is capable of receiving electrical energy to electrolyze H2O to generate H2 and O2
Implementation Method 3
the reactor is operably connected to the RSOEC to receive the generated H2 and convert tungsten oxide to tungsten thereby storing electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
the reactor is capable of receiving H2O to convert tungsten to tungsten oxide and generate H2 and the RSOEC is operably connected to the reactor to receive the generated H2 and generate electrical energy and H2O thereby recovering electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for energy storage and recovery is described. More particularly, system and method using tungsten based materials to electrochemically store and recover energy is described. In certain embodiments, the system includes a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell (RSOEC) having a porous cathode, a porous anode, and an electrolyte capable of transporting oxygen ion. The system further includes a reactor comprising tungsten, tungsten oxide, or combinations thereof. To store the energy, the RSOEC is capable of receiving electricity to electrolyze H2O to generate H2 and O2 and the reactor is operably connected to the RSOEC to receive the generated H2 and convert tungsten oxide to tungsten thereby storing electrical energy. To recover the energy, reactor is capable of receiving H2O to convert tungsten to tungsten oxide and generate H2 and the RSOEC is operably connected to the reactor to receive the generated H2 and generate electrical energy.