Abstract: A recombinator device and associated method for re-acidification of an electrolyte in a flowing electrolyte zinc-bromine battery. The recombinator device receives hydrogen, formed as a result of electrolysis within cell stacks of the zinc-bromine battery, as well as aqueous bromine from the zinc-bromine battery. Upon receipt, the hydrogen and bromine are introduced into a reaction chamber in the recombinator device so as to form hydrobromic acid. The hydrobromic acid is then reintroduced back into the electrolyte of the zinc-bromine battery for re-acidification of same.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for identifying an electrical short in a flowing electrolyte battery. The system for identifying an electrical short in a flowing electrolyte battery comprises a detection device for detecting direction of current flow through the battery, wherein the flow of current in a first direction is indicative of proper current flow and the flow of current in a second direction is indicative of an electrical short within at least a portion of the battery, and a switch, for example, for ceasing current flow upon detection of current flow in the second direction. The system further contemplates an identifying component which visually and/or audibly alerts an operator as to an electrical short.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for identifying an electrical short in a flowing electrolyte battery. The system for identifying an electrical short in a flowing electrolyte battery comprises a detection device for detecting direction of current flow through the battery, wherein the flow of current in a first direction is indicative of proper current flow and the flow of current in a second direction is indicative of an electrical short within at least a portion of the battery, and a switch, for example, for ceasing current flow upon detection of current flow in the second direction. The system further contemplates an identifying component which visually and/or audibly alerts an operator as to an electrical short.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a recombinator and a method for using a recombinator, wherein the recombinator comprises a housing operatively associated with a zinc-bromine battery, wherein the housing comprises an outer wall that defines a reaction space therein, means for introducing hydrogen into the reaction space from the zinc-bromine battery, means for introducing bromine into the reaction space from the zinc-bromine battery, means for controlling the delivery of bromine into the reaction space, wherein the delivery control means comprises at least one flow channel associated with the inner surface of the outer wall, means for reacting the hydrogen and the bromine together so as to form hydrobromic acid; and means for distributing the hydrobromic acid back into the zinc-bromine battery for the reacidification of same.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprises a manifold leak containment member associated with at least one manifold which provides flowing electrolyte to at least one stack of a flowing electrolyte battery and a provision for sensing a fluid leak within the at least one manifold leak containment member.

Abstract: A recombinator device and associated method for re-acidification of an electrolyte in a flowing electrolyte zinc-bromine battery. The recombinator device receives hydrogen, formed as a result of electrolysis within cell stacks of the zinc-bromine battery, as well as aqueous bromine from the zinc-bromine battery. Upon receipt, the hydrogen and bromine are introduced into a reaction chamber in the recombinator device so as to form hydrobromic acid. The hydrobromic acid is then reintroduced back into the electrolyte of the zinc-bromine battery for re-acidification of same.

Abstract: A recombinator device and associated method for re-acidification of an electrolyte in a flowing electrolyte zinc-bromine battery. The recombinator device receives hydrogen, formed as a result of electrolysis within cell stacks of the zinc-bromine battery, as well as aqueous bromine from the zinc-bromine battery. Upon receipt, the hydrogen and bromine are introduced into a reaction chamber in the recombinator device so as to form hydrobromic acid. The hydrobromic acid is then reintroduced back into the electrolyte of the zinc-bromine battery for re-acidification of same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a nondetachable, fluid-tight, and gastight connection between a plate stack (1) and a plate-shaped lateral component (3) of an electrochemical battery, and for spacing this plate stack (1), which is comprised of successive, thin-walled electrode plates with separator plates (4) disposed between each of them; the lateral component (3) is comprised of electrically non-conducting material. According to the invention, the lateral component (3) is guided spaced apart from and parallel to the respective face ends (5) of the electrode plates and separator plates (4) of the plate stack (1). Then the region of the face ends (5) and the side of the lateral component (3) oriented toward the plate stack (1) are simultaneously exposed to a temporary surface heating until they reach melting temperature and are then pressed against each other until the material cools.

Abstract: A process for charging and discharging zinc/bromine batteries with a plurality of anode and cathode chambers into and from which anolyte or catholyte fluids are fed and drained. Metallic zinc is deposited on the anode and atomic and/or molecular bromine is deposited at the cathode, and bromine is bonded in an only slightly water soluble complex with a complex-forming agent from the aqueous phase. The anolyte and/or catholyte fluids are circulated periodically. The oleophilic cathode phase is separated from the hydrophilic cathode phase. Only the aqueous phase of the catholyte is circulated through the cathode chambers, and the times at which the fluid is circulated is dependent upon the temperature of the anolyte in the anode chambers.

Abstract: Zinc-bromine battery with circulating electrolytes, motor-driven pumps with pump chambers, containers for the electrolytes, dipolar electrodes and separators of synthetic material fitted between them, in which the edges of the separators and the electrodes are welded together, and electrolyte inlet and outlet lines allocated to the electrode chambers thus formed, and possibly heat exchangers for the electrolytes. One gas and liquid-proof chamber unit with at least one container, catholyte inlet and outlet lines, a pump chamber and cathode chambers is formed which is connected to another gas and liquid-proof chamber unit consisting of another container, anolyte inlet and outlet lines, another pump chamber and anode chambers, especially solely via separators.

Abstract: The method of determining the charging state of a rechargeable zinc-bromine battery which contains a plurality of series connected bipolar electrodes and circulating aqueous electrolytes, wherein oxidized bromine ions in conjunction with a complexing agent dissolved in aqueous electrolyte form a complex which is essentially insoluble in the electrolyte and zinc is separated at the electrode, and wherein a respective diaphragm is arranged between electrode chambers, entails determining the electrical voltage of one or a number of cells connected in series, especially during a predetermined removal of current per predetermined time interval, and evaluating the determined electrical voltage, especially indicating or displaying the same.

Abstract: A process for reducing unwanted specific electrochemical conversion in rechargeable batteries with circulating electrolytes and bipolar electrodes with diaphragms therebetween to form anolyte or catholyte chambers. When a working element such as a motor is electrically disconnected from the battery, a regulating and/or control mechanism may also be disconnected and circulation of the electrolyte is stopped. Additionally, or alternatively, the battery may be intermittently charged during disconnection of the working element and stoppage of the electrolytic circulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for charging a multiplicity of electrochemical storage, such as cells, cell stacks, and/or batteries. For each storage aqueous electrolytic liquids are infed and outfed at least periodically, or continuously, to and from individual anode and cathode spaces in hydraulic parallel circuits. During the charging of each storage, metallic zinc is separated at the cathode as a layer and bromine is separated at the anode which is converted by a complex former dissolved in aqueous electrolyte into a complex which is essentially insoluble in water. Each electrolyte liquid is provided with a separate circuit, a separate supply container, and also pumps. During the charging operation, at a predetermined time intervals the charging state of each of the electrochemical storage is determined, and upon reaching a predetermined value of the charging state of the corresponding electrochemical storage, the charging operation thereof is interrupted.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having one or more cells, a bipolar carbon-plastic electrode element providing in combination a separator, cathode and anode, the cathode and anode each having a space formed therebetween, catholyte and anolyte electrolytes circulated from and to reservoirs therefor via distribution connector means to or from a feed or discharge orifice in the appropriate cathode space or anode space. The distribution connector means is provided with at least a configured offset pathways interconnecting feed or discharge channels and the cathode or anode orifices. The pathways of a connector can be interconnected by a cross-channel having a varying area cross-section whereby shunt current protection capabilities are provided so as to reduce or eliminate detrimental orifice blocking depositions. In one embodiment the cross channel can be provided by means having a constant cross section, but variable length.

Abstract: The use of thermally insulated bodies is determined by their insulative properties, on the one hand, and by the economy of their fabrication on the other hand. A particularly simple method for manufacturing a thermally insulated body, e.g. a pipe, with inner and outer shells, especially with metallic inner and outer shells, forming an intermediate space which is filled with porous particulate and/or porous powdered insulating material, evacuated and hermetically sealed consists in first evacuating the intermediate space between the inner and outer shell, maintaining the space under vacuum and then introducing the insulating material from a reservoir maintained under vacuum and sealing the intermediate space.