Redox Flow Battery Cell Welded Frame Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redox flow batteries are large relative to their power and require high mechanical loads on cell frame elements for sealing, making them inefficient and complex to construct.
Innovation Solution
The use of at least five cell frame elements, where the membrane and electrodes are welded to separate cell frame elements, eliminating the need for high surface pressures and allowing for a thinner design and increased power density by reducing mechanical loads and simplifying construction through circumferential welding and strategic channel placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cell frame elements are designed to provide high mechanical loads for sealing, then liquid tightness is ensured, but device complexity and construction difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cell frame is divided into multiple separate cell frame elements (at least five), each with specific functions. The membrane and electrodes are welded to separate cell frame elements, creating modular segments that are easier to construct and assemble while maintaining liquid tightness through circumferential welding connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pressing systems (which require high surface pressures and complex bracing devices with tie rods) with a welding-based sealing system. circumferential welding of the membrane and electrodes to cell frame elements eliminates the need for high mechanical loads, simplifying the overall structure while ensuring liquid tightness.
2Reliability
If membrane and electrodes are pressed against cell frames with high surface pressure, then sealing is achieved, but the cell design becomes thicker and power density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressing with welding connections. The membrane and electrodes are circumferentially welded to cell frame elements, eliminating the need for high surface pressures and thick cell frames. This allows for a thinner overall design and higher power density while maintaining reliable sealing.
3Ease of manufacture
If cell frame elements are welded to membrane and electrodes, then construction is simplified and power density increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cell frame into multiple separate elements and welding the membrane and electrodes to specific ones, the patent creates a modular structure that simplifies construction. The welding connections are localized to specific circumferential areas, making the manufacturing process more manageable despite precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the cell frame elements: structural support, sealing surfaces for welding, and channels for electrolyte flow. This integration simplifies the overall construction by reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized welding procedures.
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
This approach results in a more efficient and simpler construction of redox flow battery cells and stacks, enhancing power density and reducing the risk of leaks while maintaining liquid tightness, allowing for a more modular and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane is arranged between two cell frames, which separates the electrolytes of the half-cells from one another with regard to a convective exchange of substances, but allows certain ions to diffuse from one half-cell into the other half-cell
Implementation Method 2
Redox reactions take place at both electrodes of the cell, i.e. at the anode and at the cathode, whereby electrons are released from the electrolyte at one electrode and electrons are absorbed at the other electrode
Implementation Method 3
The membrane and the two electrodes are each welded to a separate cell frame element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention illustrates and describes a cell (1) of a redox flow battery, having at least one cell frame element (2, 3, 4), a diaphragm (15) and two electrodes (5), wherein the at least one cell frame element (2, 3, 4), the diaphragm (15) and the two electrodes (5) surround two cell interior spaces (10) which are separate from one another, wherein at least four separate channels (6, 7, 8, 9) are provided in the at least one cell frame element (2, 3, 4) such that different electrolyte solutions can flow through the two cell interior spaces (10), and wherein the cell (1), with the exception of the at least four separate channels (6, 7, 8, 9), is of liquid-tight design. In order to be able to provide redox flow batteries with a relatively high power density, it is proposed that at least the at least one cell frame element (2, 3, 4) is welded to the diaphragm (15), the two electrodes (5) and/or to at least one further cell frame element (2, 3, 4).