Topology Optimization of 3D Flow Fields for Flow Batteries

Lin, Tiras Y.; Baker, Sarah E.; Duoss, Eric B.; Beck, Victor A.

doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ac716d

Topology Optimization of 3D Flow Fields for Flow Batteries

Journal Article · Tue May 31 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ac716d· OSTI ID:1876685

^[1]; Baker, Sarah E. ^[1]; Duoss, Eric B. ^[1]; ^[1]

Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

We report as power generated from renewables becomes more readily available, the need for power-efficient energy storage devices, such as redox flow batteries, becomes critical for successful integration of renewables into the electrical grid. An important aspect of a redox flow battery is the planar flow field, which is usually composed of two-dimensional channels etched into a backing plate. As reactant-laden electrolyte flows into the flow battery, the channels in the flow field distribute the fluid throughout the reactive porous electrode. We utilize topology optimization to design flow fields with full three-dimensional geometry variation, i.e., 3D flow fields. Specifically, we focus on vanadium redox flow batteries and use the optimization algorithm to generate 3D flow fields evolved from standard interdigitated flow fields by minimizing the electrical and flow pressure power losses. To understand how these 3D designs improve performance, we analyze the polarization of the reactant concentration and exchange current within the electrode to highlight how the designed flow fields mitigate the presence of electrode dead zones. While interdigitated flow fields can be heuristically engineered to yield high performance by tuning channel and land dimensions, such a process can be laborious; this work provides a framework for automating that design process.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-07NA27344

OSTI ID:: 1876685

Report Number(s):: LLNL-JRNL-832021; 1048956

Journal Information:: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 169; ISSN 0013-4651

Publisher:: IOP PublishingCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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