Title: Reactivation of flow battery electrode by exposure to oxidizing solution

Abstract

A flow battery includes at least a cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the electrodes. A supply/storage system is external of the cell and includes a first vessel fluidly connected in a first loop with the first electrode and a second vessel fluidly connected in a second loop with the second electrode. The first loop and the second loop are isolated from each other. The supply/storage system is configured to fluidly connect the first loop and the second loop to move a second liquid electrolyte from the second vessel into a first liquid electrolyte in the first vessel responsive to a half-cell potential at the first electrode being less than a defined threshold half-cell potential.

Inventors:

Darling, Robert Mason; Zaffou, Rachid; Perry, Michael L.; Walker, Craig R.

Issue Date:

Tue Aug 07 00:00:00 EDT 2018

Research Org.:

United Technologies Corporation, Farmington, CT (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1469114

Patent Number(s):

10044058

Application Number:

14/770,969

Assignee:

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION (Farmington, CT)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

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

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

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

H01M8/188 - {by recharging of redox couples containing fluids
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 Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

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DOE Contract Number:  

AR0000149

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2013 Mar 15

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

25 ENERGY STORAGE; 42 ENGINEERING