Title: Cascade redox flow battery systems

Abstract

A reduction/oxidation ("redox") flow battery system includes a series of electrochemical cells arranged in a cascade, whereby liquid electrolyte reacts in a first electrochemical cell (or group of cells) before being directed into a second cell (or group of cells) where it reacts before being directed to subsequent cells. The cascade includes 2 to n stages, each stage having one or more electrochemical cells. During a charge reaction, electrolyte entering a first stage will have a lower state-of-charge than electrolyte entering the nth stage. In some embodiments, cell components and/or characteristics may be configured based on a state-of-charge of electrolytes expected at each cascade stage. Such engineered cascades provide redox flow battery systems with higher energy efficiency over a broader range of current density than prior art arrangements.

Inventors:

Horne, Craig R.; Kinoshita, Kim; Hickey, Darren B.; Sha, Jay E.; Bose, Deepak

Issue Date:

2014-07-22

Research Org.:

Enervault Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1149689

Patent Number(s):

8785023

Application Number:

12/986,892

Assignee:

Enervault Corporation (Sunnyvale, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B60 - VEHICLES IN GENERAL B60L - PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B60 - VEHICLES IN GENERAL B60L - PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES

B60L53/54 - Fuel cells

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M6/188 - {Processes of manufacture}
H01M8/188 - {by recharging of redox couples containing fluids

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B60 - VEHICLES IN GENERAL B60L - PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES

B60L53/51 - Photovoltaic means
B60L53/52 - Wind-driven generators
B60L53/30 - Constructional details of charging stations
B60L50/64 - Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02T - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

Y02T90/14 - Plug-in electric vehicles

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M8/20 - Indirect fuel cells, e.g. fuel cells with redox couple being irreversible

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02T - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

Y02T10/72 - Electric energy management in electromobility
Y02T10/70 - Energy storage for electromobility
Y02T90/12 - Electric charging stations

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B60 - VEHICLES IN GENERAL B60L - PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES

B60L53/53 - Batteries

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B60 - VEHICLES IN GENERAL B60L - PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES

B60L2210/40 - DC to AC converters

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02T - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

Y02T10/7072 - Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

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DOE Contract Number:  

OE0000225

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2011 Jan 07

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

25 ENERGY STORAGE