Patents Assigned to EnerVault Corporation
-
Patent number: 8993183Abstract: Loss of flow battery electrode catalyst layers during self-discharge or charge reversal may be prevented by establishing and maintaining a negative electrolyte imbalance during at least parts of a flow battery's operation. Negative imbalance may be established and/or maintained actively, passively or both. Actively establishing a negative imbalance may involve detecting an imbalance that is less negative than a desired threshold, and processing one or both electrolytes until the imbalance reaches a desired negative level. Negative imbalance may be effectively established and maintained passively within a cell by constructing a cell with a negative electrode chamber that is larger than the cell's positive electrode chamber, thereby providing a larger quantity of negative electrolyte for reaction with positive electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Quoc Pham, On Chang, Sumitha Durairaj
-
Patent number: 8980484Abstract: Methods, systems and structures for monitoring, managing electrolyte concentrations in redox flow batteries are provided by introducing a first quantity of a liquid electrolyte into a first chamber of a test cell and introducing a second quantity of the liquid electrolyte into a second chamber of the test cell. The method further provides for measuring a voltage of the test cell, measuring an elapsed time from the test cell reaching a first voltage until the test cell reaches a second voltage; and determining a degree of imbalance of the liquid electrolyte based on the elapsed time.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Enervault CorporationInventors: On Kok Chang, David Andrew Sopchak, Ai Quoc Pham, Kimio Kinoshita
-
Patent number: 8980454Abstract: Various methods of rebalancing electrolytes in a redox flow battery system include various systems using a catalyzed hydrogen rebalance cell configured to minimize the risk of dissolved catalyst negatively affecting flow battery performance. Some systems described herein reduce the chance of catalyst contamination of RFB electrolytes by employing a mediator solution to eliminate direct contact between the catalyzed membrane and the RFB electrolyte. Other methods use a rebalance cell chemistry that maintains the catalyzed electrode at a potential low enough to prevent the catalyst from dissolving.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Enervault CorporationInventors: Ai Quoc Pham, On Kok Chang
-
Patent number: 8916281Abstract: Embodiments of redox flow battery rebalancing systems include a system for reacting an unbalanced flow battery electrolyte with a rebalance electrolyte in a first reaction cell. In some embodiments, the rebalance electrolyte may contain ferrous iron (Fe2+) which may be oxidized to ferric iron (Fe3+) in the first reaction cell. The reducing ability of the rebalance reactant may be restored in a second rebalance cell that is configured to reduce the ferric iron in the rebalance electrolyte back into ferrous iron through a reaction with metallic iron.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Enervault CorporationInventors: On Kok Chang, Ai Quoc Pham
-
Patent number: 8906529Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Enervault CorporationInventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey
-
Publication number: 20140272512Abstract: Various embodiments of redox flow battery stack assemblies may include a plurality of multiple-block strings, where each string may include a plurality of reaction blocks connected in electrical series and in fluidic parallel. Various embodiments provide configurations and systems for mitigating or substantially reducing shunt currents in common electrolyte conduits.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Jay E. SHA, Bruce LIN
-
Publication number: 20140272483Abstract: Various methods of rebalancing electrolytes in a redox flow battery system include various systems using a catalyzed hydrogen rebalance cell configured to minimize the risk of dissolved catalyst negatively affecting flow battery performance. Some systems described herein reduce the chance of catalyst contamination of RFB electrolytes by employing a mediator solution to eliminate direct contact between the catalyzed membrane and the RFB electrolyte. Other methods use a rebalance cell chemistry that maintains the catalyzed electrode at a potential low enough to prevent the catalyst from dissolving.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Ai Quoc PHAM, On Kok CHANG
-
Publication number: 20140272485Abstract: A modular arrangement of cells that enables adjustments in cell currents in response to changes in concentration of the redox reactants. The adjustments improve battery efficiency by more closely matching the current in a given cell to the rate at which reactants are supplied to that cell. The cell modules provide the flexibility to operate flow batteries efficiently over a wide range of electrolyte states of charge and allow managed scale-up while easing manufacturability concerns.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Jay E SHA, Bruce LIN
-
Publication number: 20140186731Abstract: Loss of flow battery electrode catalyst layers during self-discharge or charge reversal may be prevented by establishing and maintaining a negative electrolyte imbalance during at least parts of a flow battery's operation. Negative imbalance may be established and/or maintained actively, passively or both. Actively establishing a negative imbalance may involve detecting an imbalance that is less negative than a desired threshold, and processing one or both electrolytes until the imbalance reaches a desired negative level. Negative imbalance may be effectively established and maintained passively within a cell by constructing a cell with a negative electrode chamber that is larger than the cell's positive electrode chamber, thereby providing a larger quantity of negative electrolyte for reaction with positive electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Quoc PHAM, On CHANG, Sumitha DURAIRAJ
-
Publication number: 20130084482Abstract: Embodiments of redox flow battery rebalancing systems include a system for reacting an unbalanced flow battery electrolyte with a rebalance electrolyte in a first reaction cell. In some embodiments, the rebalance electrolyte may contain ferrous iron (Fe2+) which may be oxidized to ferric iron (Fe3+) in the first reaction cell. The reducing ability of the rebalance reactant may be restored in a second rebalance cell that is configured to reduce the ferric iron in the rebalance electrolyte back into ferrous iron through a reaction with metallic iron.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: On Kok CHANG, Ai Quoc PHAM
-
Publication number: 20130084506Abstract: Methods, systems and structures for monitoring, managing electrolyte concentrations in redox flow batteries are provided by introducing a first quantity of a liquid electrolyte into a first chamber of a test cell and introducing a second quantity of the liquid electrolyte into a second chamber of the test cell. The method further provides for measuring a voltage of the test cell, measuring an elapsed time from the test cell reaching a first voltage until the test cell reaches a second voltage; and determining a degree of imbalance of the liquid electrolyte based on the elapsed time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: On Kok CHANG, Ai Quoc Pham, Kimio Kinoshita
-
Publication number: 20130022852Abstract: Methods for improving the electrical conductivity of a carbon felt material is provided. In some embodiments, a method improving the electrical conductivity of a carbon felt material comprises applying a carbon source liquid to at least a portion of a carbon felt material, optionally removing excess carbon source liquid from the carbon felt material, and converting the carbon source material to solid carbon, such as by heating. Also provided are materials and products created using these methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: On Kok Chang, Kimio Kinoshita, Ronald James Mosso
-
Publication number: 20130011702Abstract: A redox flow battery system is provided with one or more tanks for containing electrolytes. Embodiments of electrolyte tanks include active and/or passive dividers within a single tank structure. Dividers may be configured to prevent mixing of a charged electrolyte and a discharged electrolyte stored within a single tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Craig R. Horne, Darren Bawden Hickey, Kimio Kinoshita, Ronald James Mosso, Bruce Lin
-
Publication number: 20130011704Abstract: A redox flow battery system is provided with independent stack assemblies dedicated for charging and discharging functions. In such a system, characteristics of the charging stack assembly may be configured to provide a high efficiency during a charging reaction, and the discharging stack may be configured to provide a high efficiency during a discharging reaction. In addition to decoupling charging and discharging reactions, redox flow battery stack assemblies are also configured for other variables, such as the degree of power variability of a source or a load. Using a modular approach to building a flow battery system by separating charging functions from discharging functions, and configuring stack assemblies for other variables, provides large-scale energy storage systems with great flexibility for a wide range of applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Craig Richard Horne, Darren Bawden Hickey, On Kok Chang, Sumitha Durairaj, Ronald James Mosso, Deepak Bose
-
Publication number: 20120308856Abstract: Shunt currents in electrochemical systems with liquid electrolytes are reduced by placing shunt resistors in electrolyte flow paths. Shunt resistors substantially increase electrical resistance in electrolyte flow channels by interrupting the physical continuity of liquid through their length. Some shunt resistors also provide a flow metering, pumping or flow-resisting functions for improved electrolyte flow control.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Enervault CorporationInventors: Craig R. Horne, Jay E. Sha, Ronald J. Mosso, William D. Lyle
-
Publication number: 20110223450Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey, Jay E. Sha, Deepak Bose
-
Publication number: 20110117411Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: ENERVAULT CORPORATIONInventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey
-
Publication number: 20110045332Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: ENERVAULT CORPORATIONInventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey
-
Patent number: 7820321Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: EnerVault CorporationInventors: Craig R. Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey
-
Publication number: 20100003545Abstract: A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: ENERVAULT CORPORATIONInventors: Craig Richard Horne, Kim Kinoshita, Darren B. Hickey