Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated flow battery stack with a heat exchanger for thermal control of the battery during operation. The battery can comprise a stack consisting a plurality of electrochemical cells, each cell comprising a pair of electrodes separated by a membrane and sandwiched between a pair of bipolar plates. Each bipolar plate is shared between two adjacent cells. The stack is connected to an external electrical circuit by two current collectors placed at each end of the stack. At least one current collector plate is thermally coupled to a heat exchange plate which can be configured to have its temperature varied through external means. The heat exchange plate exchanges heat with the battery stack and maintains the temperature of the stack, by implication, maintains the temperature of the circulating electrolytes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flow battery module for improving energy efficiency of flow battery during dynamic load conditions. The flow battery module comprises a plurality of stacks connected in any or a combination of parallel and series. One or more pumps are configured to circulate electrolyte to the stack where ion exchange between the electrolyte occurs and a current is generated. A series of switches are configured between the flow battery and an external load or source. Based on the load or charging power stacks can be electrically and fluidically isolated thereby decreasing parasitic power consumption and self-discharge current, and as a result improving energy efficiency.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated flow battery stack with a heat exchanger for thermal control of the battery during operation. The battery can comprise a stack consisting a plurality of electrochemical cells, each cell comprising a pair of electrodes separated by a membrane and sandwiched between a pair of bipolar plates. Each bipolar plate is shared between two adjacent cells. The stack is connected to an external electrical circuit by two current collectors placed at each end of the stack. At least one current collector plate is thermally coupled to a heat exchange plate which can be configured to have its temperature varied through external means. The heat exchange plate exchanges heat with the battery stack and maintains the temperature of the stack, by implication, maintains the temperature of the circulating electrolytes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flow battery module for improving energy efficiency of flow battery during dynamic load conditions. The flow battery module comprises a plurality of stacks connected in any or a combination of parallel and series. One or more pumps are configured to circulate electrolyte to the stack where ion exchange between the electrolyte occurs and a current is generated. A series of switches are configured between the flow battery and an external load or source.

Abstract: An ion exchange membrane (52) for a fuel cell comprises a polymer having an acid functional group normally including protons, and having alkali metal ions partially ion-exchanged with the protons of the acid functional group of the membrane. The partial ion exchange of alkali metal ions into the membrane relates either to patterning of the exchanged ion make-up of the membrane, with some being ion exchanged and some not, or to the extent or concentration of the ion exchange in any particular location, or to both.

Abstract: An example method of controlling fluid distribution within a fuel cell includes adjusting a flow of a reactant moving within a fuel cell to increase water within a portion of the fuel cell. Another example method of controlling fluid distribution within a fuel cell includes adjusting a flow of fuel entering a fuel cell, a velocity of air entering the fuel cell, or both, so that a first amount of water exiting the fuel cell in a fuel stream is about the same as a second amount of water exiting the fuel cell in an airstream.

Abstract: An example method of controlling fluid distribution within a fuel cell includes adjusting a flow of a reactant moving within a fuel cell to increase water within a portion of the fuel cell. Another example method of controlling fluid distribution within a fuel cell includes adjusting a flow of fuel entering a fuel cell, a velocity of air entering the fuel cell, or both, so that a first amount of water exiting the fuel cell in a fuel stream is about the same as a second amount of water exiting the fuel cell in an airstream.

Abstract: An ion exchange membrane (52) for a fuel cell comprises a polymer having an acid functional group normally including protons, and having alkali metal ions partially ion-exchanged with the protons of the acid functional group of the membrane. The partial ion exchange of alkali metal ions into the membrane relates either to patterning of the exchanged ion make-up of the membrane, with some being ion exchanged and some not, or to the extent or concentration of the ion exchange in any particular location, or to both.