Abstract: A polar plate is fabricated. The polar plate is flexible and made of a plastic graphite composite. No matter a supporting member is used for calendering or not, a thin polar plate with controllable thickness is fabricated. The polar plate is excellent in blocking the through-transmission of vanadium ions and the limit of blending ratio of conductive carbon is broken through. The longitudinal through-transmission volume resistivity (proportional resistance to thickness) is greatly improved by adjusting the blending ratio of conductive carbon for meeting the demand of conductivity. In the mean time, the present invention strengthens the rigidity required for the thin polar plate while providing large-area polar plate fabrication for industrial use and convenience and provides a cooling and pressing method for patterning a composite polar plate. An integrated mold is thus obtained to replace the conventional polar plate which needs to be processed and prepared with runner.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a battery, comprising an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode, a halogen in contact with the cathode, and a metal in contact with the anode, wherein the halogen is in contact with a polymeric halogen sequestering agent (HSA) which is a polymer comprising a moiety capable of sequestering the halogen.

Abstract: A battery cell for use in a redox flow battery, the battery cell including an electrode, a membrane facing one of both surfaces of the electrode, and a bipolar plate facing the other surface of the electrode, wherein the bipolar plate includes, in a surface thereof facing the electrode, a flow channel for an electrolyte, the electrode is a porous body containing carbon materials, and a compressive strain in a thickness direction of the electrode when a compressive stress of 0.8 MPa is applied in the thickness direction of the electrode is 20% or more and 60% or less.

Abstract: An electrolyte station is used for electrolyte replacement in a redox flow battery that is mounted to a vehicle. The electrolyte station includes: a stand that includes a connector that connects to a connection socket that connects to an electrolyte tank in the redox flow battery; a recovery tank that stores a recovered electrolyte; a filling tank that stores a charged electrolyte; a recovery line that connects the connector in the stand and the recovery tank; and a filling line that connects the connector in the stand and the filling tank. In response to the connector being connected to the connection socket, the electrolyte station enables the used electrolyte removed from an electrolyte tank to be recovered to the recovery tank through the recovery line, and enables the charged electrolyte stored in the filling tank to be supplied the electrolyte tank through the filling line.

Abstract: A battery, having polyvalent aluminum metal as the electrochemically active anode material and also including a solid ionically conducting polymer material.

Abstract: An electrolyzer for splitting molecular water into molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen using electrical energy comprises an anodic half-cell with an anode and a cathodic half-cell with a cathode. The anodic half-cell and the cathodic half-cell are separated from each other by a separator. The anodic half-cell comprises an anodic electrolyte, which is in contact with the anode. The cathodic half-cell comprises a cathodic electrolyte, which is in contact with the cathode. The anodic half-cell comprises an anodic catalyst. The cathodic half-cell contains at least one cation complex for forming at least one mediator complex. The at least one cation complex is reducible to the mediator complex by taking up at least one electron at the cathode. The mediator complex is a catalytically active chemical complex for splitting the molecular water (H2O) into molecular hydrogen (H2) and hydroxide ions (OH?) while releasing at least one electron.

Abstract: A flowing electrolyte battery can be quickly and safely electrically stripped using electrolyte. The battery includes: a stack comprising a plurality of electrodes; a negative electrolyte circuit coupled to the stack, for circulating negative electrolyte through the stack; a positive electrolyte circuit coupled to the stack, for circulating positive electrolyte through the stack; and a valve coupling the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit. The valve includes a closed configuration that prevents flow of electrolyte between the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit, and an open configuration that enables flow of electrolyte from at least one of the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit to the other of the positive electrolyte circuit and the negative electrolyte circuit. The valve is opened and closed by changes in pressure differences between the positive and the negative electrolyte circuits.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a micropillar array (20). A carrier (11) is provided with a layer of metal ink (20i). A high energy light source (14) irradiates the metal ink (20i) via a mask (13) between the carrier (11) and the light source. The mask is configured to pass a cross-section illuminated image of the micropillar array onto the metal ink (20i), thereby causing a patterned sintering of the metal ink (20i) to form a first subsection layer (21) of the micropillar array (20) in the layer of metal ink (20i). A further layer of the metal ink (20i) is applied on top of the first subsection layer (21) of the micropillar array (20) and irradiated via the mask (13) to form a second subsection layer (21) of the micropillar array on top. The process is repeated to achieve high aspect ratio micropillars 20p.

Abstract: Described herein is a mixing entropy battery including a cationic electrode for sodium ion exchange and an anionic electrode for chloride ion exchange, where the cationic electrode includes at least one Prussian Blue material, and where the mixing entropy battery is configured to convert salinity gradient into electricity.

Abstract: Provided is a redox flow battery including a positive electrode cell having a positive electrode and a catholyte solution; a negative electrode cell having a negative electrode and an anolyte solution; and an ion-exchange membrane disposed between the positive electrode cell and the negative electrode cell, wherein the catholyte solution and the anolyte solution each includes a non-aqueous solvent, a supporting electrolyte, and an electrolyte, and wherein the electrolyte includes a metal-ligand coordination compound, and at least one of the metal-ligand coordination compounds includes a ligand having an electron donating group.

Abstract: An energy storage system employing a reversible salination-desalination process includes an electrochemical desalination battery (EDB) unit including an anode and a cathode. The EDB unit runs a salination process while storing energy from a direct current power supply unit, and runs a desalination process while releasing energy to an electrical load. The energy storage system can store power from a variable output electrical power supply unit such as solar cells and wind turbines while running a salination process, and release energy, e.g., during peak energy demand hours while running a desalination process. Combined with a capacitive deionization (CD) unit, the energy storage system can generate fresh water by running desalination processes in the EDB unit and the CD unit while releasing stored energy from the EDB unit. The energy storage unit can function as a dual purpose device for energy storage (load shifting) and fresh water generation.

Abstract: The invention provides in various embodiments methods and systems relating to controlling energy storage units in flowing electrolyte batteries.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a flow battery system with power producing components, having one or multiple stacks, pumps and related components wherein such components are mechanically mounted into, and fully supported by, a common backplane. Electrical and hydraulic interconnections are provided by the backplane and the backplane consists of one electromechanical assembly that will substantially reduce costs, and improve energy efficiency and serviceability. Multiple stacks and pumps may be interconnected in a single backplane in various serial and parallel configurations. In turn, multiple backplanes may be interconnected in various serial and parallel configurations, to build larger systems, depending on the application.

Abstract: A metal-ligand coordination compound containing an aliphatic ligand useful as a catholyte and/or an anolyte that enables the provision of a redox flow battery having high energy efficiency and charge/discharge efficiency.

Abstract: A salt ion battery stores consumed reagents in an electrolyte contained in a storage vessel. The electrolyte flows from electrode to counter-electrode through a flow permeable separator that has a filter support. In the most-preferred embodiment the filter support is at least partly coated with an ion exchange polymer.

Abstract: A voltaic cell comprising an iron in alkali anode where metal iron is oxidized to iron II hydroxide and a ferricyanide in alkali cathode where ferricyanide is reduced to ferrocyanide, and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention combines the storage capacity of redox flow batteries and the production of hydrogen and other products of chemical redox reactions. The redox couple of each electrolyte is chemically regenerated on a specific catalyst bed 11, replacing the discharging processes of the battery, whilst oxidizing or reducing other species present. This allows for the production of hydrogen on the cathodic side, and various useful products on the anodic side, such as oxygen for fuel cell application. The proposed system uses a dual circuit arrangement from which electrolytes 8 may be pumped through the catalyst beds 11 as desired, once they are in their charged state.

Abstract: A system for distributing energy among a plurality of power consumers may include a plurality of reaction cells configured to receive electrolytes and provide electric power. The system may also include a first tank configured to contain a supply of fluid including positively charged electrolytes and a second tank configured to contain a supply of fluid including negatively charged electrolytes. The system may also include at least one pump configured to pump fluid among the plurality of reaction cells and the first and second tanks. The system may include a controller configured to control operation of the at least one pump based on a desired power supply to at least one of the plurality of power consumers.

Abstract: Li-Ion/Polysulfide flow battery systems are provided to achieve high energy density and long service life. The system is configured to minimize corrosion of the lithium electrode by providing an electrochemical reactor comprising a first and a second electrode configured in spaced apart relation defining an inter-electrode channel through which the sulfur electrolyte is caused to flow.

Abstract: A redox flow battery charged and discharged by supply of a positive electrode electrolyte stored in a positive electrode tank and a negative electrode electrolyte stored in a negative electrode tank to a battery element, in which the positive electrode electrolyte contains a Mn ion as a positive electrode active material, and the positive electrode tank includes a positive electrode charging pipe opening to a position close to a liquid level of the positive electrode electrolyte in the positive electrode tank, and a positive electrode discharging pipe opening to a position close to the bottom of the positive electrode tank. This redox flow battery can include a stirring mechanism for stirring the electrolytes in the tanks, and can include a connection pipe connecting the positive electrode tank to the negative electrode tank.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of redox flow battery systems having modular reactant storage capabilities. Accordingly to various embodiments, a redox flow battery system may include an anolyte storage module configured to interface with other anolyte storage modules, a catholyte storage module configured to interface with other catholyte storage modules, and a reactor cell having reactant compartments in fluid communication with the anolyte and catholyte storage modules. By utilizing modular storage modules to store anolyte and catholyte reactants, the redox flow battery system may be scalable without significantly altering existing system components.

Abstract: A method is provided for mitigating hydrogen evolution within a flow battery system that includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a power converter and an electrochemical cell. The method includes providing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen evolution within the flow battery system to the electrochemical cell. A first electrical current generated by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and a reactant is sensed, and the sensed current is used to control an exchange of electrical power between the flow battery cells and the power converter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a battery system includes a negative electrode, a separator adjacent to the negative electrode, a positive electrode separated from the negative electrode by the separator, the positive electrode including an electrode inlet and an electrode outlet, an electrolyte including about 5 molar LiOH located within the positive electrode, and a first pump having a first pump inlet in fluid communication with the electrode outlet and a first pump outlet in fluid communication with the electrode inlet and controlled such that the first pump receives the electrolyte from the electrode outlet and discharges the electrolyte to the electrode inlet during both charge and discharge of the battery system.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises an inlet and an outlet for an electrolyte flow, and two unipolar electrodes. Each electrode comprises a structure with a network of through-passages, surrounded by a solid frame. The electrolyte enters via inlets, circulates via the passages of the electrodes, passes through the space between the electrodes and leaves via an outlet. The structure and the frame are based on carbon.

Abstract: An activation mechanism for a reserve battery cell generally includes a housing with a chamber containing an electrolytic solution and a delivery device configured to discharge the electrolytic solution from the housing. The delivery device includes a compressed spring configured to be released in response to an external force to initiate the discharge of the electrolytic solution from the housing.

Abstract: An accumulator with an accumulator housing, having at least one cell changer, with several electrodes and liquid electrolyte in each cell chamber with at least one wall element in the cell chambers to divide the cell chambers into at least two intercommunicating volume chambers. In the lower region of the volume chambers is a communicating connection for the liquid electrolyte between the volume chambers and a pressure equalization connection between the volume chambers is arranged in the upper region of the volume chambers to assure an equivalent air pressure in the intercommunicating volume chambers.

Abstract: A power converter may include an uncharged tank for storing fluid including uncharged electrolytes. The power converter may include a plurality of parallel-connected reaction cells configured to receive the fluid from the uncharged tank and an input voltage, and charge the uncharged electrolytes. The power converter may also include a charged tank configured to receive fluid from the plurality of parallel-connected reaction cells. The power converter may also include a first pump configured to pump the fluid from the plurality of parallel-connected reaction cells to the charged tank. The power converter may include a plurality of series-connected reaction cells configured to receive fluid from the charged tank and provide electric power at an output voltage.

Abstract: A porous electrode for a flow battery includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has at least one of a different catalytic property or a different permeability than the second layer.

Abstract: Enhanced storage efficiency, reliability and durability of a redox flow battery system are achieved by employing distinct pluralities or groups of cells wherein all the cells of a first plurality have porous metallic electrodes in both compartments through which respective electrolyte solutions flow during a charging process of the battery system, and all cells of a second plurality may have porous carbon felt electrodes in both flow compartments through which the respective electrolyte solutions flow during a discharging process of the battery systems or solely in the compartment through which the negatively charged electrolyte solution flows and a porous metallic electrode in the other compartment where the positively charged electrolyte solution flows. All the cells of both groups of cells may be defined by repetitive sequences of stackable elements, according to a common bipolar or monopolar cell stack architecture.

Abstract: A flow battery system includes an ON mode, and OFF mode and a STANDBY mode. The ON mode enables access to a full energy capacity of the flow battery system with regard to an amount of electric power that can be drawn from or stored to the flow battery system. The OFF mode disables access to the full energy capacity and the STANDBY mode enables access to a portion of the full energy capacity.

Abstract: A redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between respective anodes and cathodes of the cell; a catholyte solution comprising at least one catholyte component, the catholyte solution comprising a redox mediator couple; and a regeneration zone comprising a catholyte channel and a porous member having an active surface, the catholyte channel being arranged to direct a flow of catholyte adjacent to or towards the active surface, the means for supplying an oxidant to the cell being adapted to supply the oxidant to the porous member.

Abstract: Li-Ion/Polysulfide flow battery systems are provided to achieve high energy density and long service life. The system is configured to minimize corrosion of the lithium electrode by providing an electrochemical reactor comprising a first and a second electrode configured in spaced apart relation defining an inter-electrode channel through which the sulfur electrolyte is caused to flow.

Abstract: An embodiment relates an electrochemical system. The system includes (a) at least one cell that comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone between the first and second electrode. The system also includes (b) a liquefied halogen reactant (c) at least one metal halide electrolyte and (d) a flow circuit configured to deliver the halogen reactant and the at least one metal-halide electrolyte to the at least one cell. The flow circuit includes an electrolyte reservoir and a halogen reactant/electrolyte separation device comprising a halophilic material.

Abstract: A flow cell battery system includes a plurality of stacked cells that include an anode plate and a cathode plate that are separated by a seal layer off an inner side of the anode plates and cathode plates. An outer side of the anode plates and cathode plates is disposed in an anolyte flow path and a catholyte flow path, respectively. A membrane acts as a barrier between the anolyte flow path and the catholyte flow path. A flow screen may be provided in the flow paths to mix the anolyte and catholyte in the respective flow paths.

Abstract: High performance flow batteries, based on alkaline zinc/ferro-ferricyanide rechargeable (“ZnFe”) and similar flow batteries, may include one or more of the following improvements. First, the battery design has a cell stack comprising a low resistance positive electrode in at least one positive half cell and a low resistance negative electrode in at least one negative half cell, where the positive electrode and negative electrode resistances are selected for uniform high current density across a region of the cell stack. Second, a flow of electrolyte, such as zinc species in the ZnFe battery, with a high level of mixing through at least one negative half cell in a Zn deposition region proximate a deposition surface where the electrolyte close to the deposition surface has sufficiently high zinc concentration for deposition rates on the deposition surface that sustain the uniform high current density.

Abstract: A flow battery stack includes an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold and a plurality of flow battery cells. The inlet and outlet manifolds each have first and second passages. The first and second passages in at least one of the inlet and outlet manifolds are tortuous. Each flow battery cell includes a separator arranged between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. The flow battery cells are axially connected between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold such that a first solution having a first reversible redox couple reactant is directed from the inlet first passage through the flow battery cells, wetting the first electrode layers, to the outlet first passage.

Abstract: A stacked cell battery including anode plates and cathode plates that define an anolyte chamber and a catholyte chamber that are divided by a separator membrane. Perimeter flanges of the anode plate and cathode plate may define a seal retainer on the plate that extends between the perimeter flanges and the housing. Alternatively, an over-molded seal may be provided on the flanges of the anode plate and cathode plate that extends between the flanges and the housing.

Abstract: A flow battery system includes a flow battery stack, a sensor and a coolant loop. The flow battery stack has an electrolyte solution flowing therethrough, and the sensor is in communication with the electrolyte solution. The coolant loop is in heat exchange communication with the electrolyte solution, wherein the heat exchange communication is selective based on an output from the sensor.

Abstract: A method is provided for mitigating hydrogen evolution within a flow battery system that includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a power converter and an electrochemical cell. The method includes providing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen evolution within the flow battery system to the electrochemical cell. A first electrical current generated by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and a reactant is sensed, and the sensed current is used to control an exchange of electrical power between the flow battery cells and the power converter.

Abstract: A flow battery electrode assembly including a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode consisting essentially of a metal and a second permeable electrode. The assembly also includes at least one electrically conductive spacer connecting the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path. At least one electrically conductive spacer includes a plurality of electrically conductive spacers which mechanically and electrically connect adjacent first impermeable, substantially metal and second permeable electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of recovering AB5 and/or AB2 as well as other metals from spent nickel metal hydride batteries from a slury by a series of separation steps utilizing the screening off of larger metal particles, removal of magnetizable small metal particles from a filter and then separating AB5 and/or AB2 by passing the filtrate through a froth flotation step to separate AB5 and/or AB2 from lighter small particles.

Abstract: A partial flow cell may include a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, and a separator arrangement sandwiched between the cathode and anode chambers. The separator arrangement may be configured to permit ionic flow between electroactive materials disposed within the cathode and anode chambers. One of the cathode and anode chambers may be configured to permit an electroactive material to flow through the chamber during operation. The other of the cathode and anode chambers may be configured to hold an electroactive material fixed within the chamber during operation.

Abstract: A multi-walled tubing assembly includes an outer corrugated tube and an inner tube received in the outer tube, and may receive an insert. The inner tube is made from a resilient material. The outer tube is structurally rigid. The insert may be plain and used in conjunction with one or more adhesives. The insert may include a section with barbs or teeth which, once inserted into the inner tube, engage with the corrugations of the outer tube. Some embodiments result in a good seal and mechanically fix the tubing assembly.

Abstract: An electrochemical power delivery voltage regulator. The regulator includes one or more fluid circuits having a first electrolyte solution with a primary redox couple and a secondary redox couple; and a second electrolyte solution with a further primary redox couple; a polyelectrode in contact with the first electrolyte solution; a further electrode in contact with the second electrolyte solution; and control means coupled to control a relative concentration of electroactive species of the secondary redox couple and thereby impact a mixed potential at the polyelectrode, such as to regulate a supply voltage of the electrochemical power delivery voltage regulator, in operation. The invention further concerns a corresponding method of voltage regulation and a system comprising such an electrochemical power and electrical consumers with consumer fluid circuits in fluid communication with respective one or more fluid circuits of the electrochemical power delivery voltage regulator.

Abstract: Provided are redox flow batteries employing supporting electrolyte of a ring- or spiro-type structure and having high energy efficiencies and energy densities.

Abstract: A metal-ligand coordination compound containing an aliphatic ligand useful as a catholyte and/or an anolyte that enables the provision of a redox flow battery having high energy efficiency and charge/discharge efficiency.

Abstract: An electrochemical system includes: (1) a battery including an anode and a cathode; (2) a first source of a first electrolyte having a first concentration of ions; (3) a second source of a second electrolyte having a second concentration of the ions, wherein the second concentration is greater than the first concentration; and (4) a fluid conveyance mechanism connected between the battery and each of the first source and the second source. During charging of the battery, the anode and the cathode are at least partially immersed in the first electrolyte, and, during discharging of the battery, the anode and the cathode are at least partially immersed in the second electrolyte. The fluid conveyance mechanism exchanges the first electrolyte with the second electrolyte between charging and discharging of the battery, and exchanges the second electrolyte with the first electrolyte between discharging and charging of the battery.

Abstract: A cross-flow electrochemical cell for producing electricity is disclosed that incorporates means for cross-flow pumping of electrolyte through both anode and cathode electrodes in the same direction to achieve markedly higher discharging and charging currents. Cross-flow pumping enabling use of thick mesh electrodes comprising scaffolds impregnated with high-surface-area metal nanoparticles and having high porosity are also taught.

Abstract: A cross-flow electrochemical cell for producing electricity is disclosed that incorporates means for cross-flow pumping of electrolyte through both anode and cathode electrodes in the same direction to achieve markedly higher discharging and charging currents. Cross-flow pumping enabling use of thick mesh electrodes comprising scaffolds impregnated with high-surface-area metal nanoparticles and having high porosity are also taught.

Abstract: A flow battery and method of operating a flow battery. The flow battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The flow battery is configured with a first electrolyte flow configuration in charge mode and a second flow configuration in discharge mode. The first electrolyte flow configuration is at least partially different from the second electrolyte flow configuration.