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  • Electrochemical cell stack having a protective flow channel
    Patent number: 9153832
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved electrochemical cell stacks having at least one protective channel on an end of the stack. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) containing the “protected” electrochemical cell stacks, and methods of operating such RFBs, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Jinfeng Wu, Chenxi Sun
  • ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL STACK HAVING A PROTECTIVE FLOW CHANNEL
    Publication number: 20140272484
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved electrochemical cell stacks having at least one protective channel on an end of the stack. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) containing the “protected” electrochemical cell stacks, and methods of operating such RFBs, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Jinfeng Wu, Chenxi Sun
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHUNT CURRENT AND MECHANICAL LOSS MITIGATION IN ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20140349161
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shunt current and mechanical loss mitigation in electrochemical systems include a conduit providing at least a portion of an electrically conductive pathway between the first and second electrochemical cells, wherein the conduit includes at least one shunt current suppression device configured as a loop, and/or a connector assembly for maintaining first and second connecting portions in adjacent positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Kell
  • ELECTROLYTE PROTECTION COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20140272482
    Abstract: A barrier on the surface of the negative electrolyte solution of a redox flow battery can decrease air oxidation of a charged species in the negative electrolyte solution and can decrease water loss from the negative electrolyte solution. A negative electrolyte tank including a barrier on the surface of the negative electrolyte can have many advantages, including simplified setup, low cost, and low maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Chenxi Sun, Jinfeng Wu
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHUNT CURRENT AND MECHANICAL LOSS MITIGATION IN ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20140287335
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shunt current and mechanical loss mitigation in electrochemical systems include a conduit providing at least a portion of an electrically conductive pathway between the first and second electrochemical cells, wherein the conduit includes at least one shunt current suppression device configured as a loop, and/or a connector assembly for maintaining first and second connecting portions in adjacent positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Kell, Jon Horner, Rick Winter
  • METHODS OF PREPARING A VANADIUM ELECTROLYTE AND MIXTURES THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20190379079
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a composition for producing a vanadium electrolyte includes a vanadium compound and an ion solution containing vanadium ions and hydrogen ions. In another embodiment, a method for producing a vanadium electrolyte includes obtaining a vanadium compound, and mixing the vanadium compound with an ion solution containing vanadium ions and hydrogen ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yueqi Liu, Liyu Li, Chenxi Sun, Richard O. Winter, Zhenguo Yang
  • SYSTEM ENERGY DENSITY IN A REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20160006051
    Abstract: A redox flow battery (RFB) controllable by a battery management system and having an energy output has a volume of at least 2000 liters and an energy density of at least 10 w-h/liter. In one embodiment, the RFB maintains at an energy density of at least 10 w-h/liter for a minimum of 50 continuous full charge/discharge cycles or the equivalent number of operating hours without user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Winter, Liyu Li, Bradley Kell, Jon Horner
  • Systems and methods for shunt current and mechanical loss mitigation in electrochemical systems
    Patent number: 10074859
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shunt current and mechanical loss mitigation in electrochemical systems include a conduit providing at least a portion of an electrically conductive pathway between the first and second electrochemical cells, wherein the conduit includes at least one shunt current suppression device configured as a loop, and/or a connector assembly for maintaining first and second connecting portions in adjacent positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Kell, Jon Horner, Rick Winter
  • PUMP TUB ASSEMBLY FOR REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20160006055
    Abstract: A redox flow battery includes an anolyte storage tank having a height configured for containing a quantity of an anolyte; a catholyte storage tank having a height configured for containing a quantity of a catholyte; an electrochemical cell configured for fluid communication with the anolyte and catholyte storage tanks; and a tub defining a cavity formed in at least one of the anolyte and catholyte storage tanks to provide a sealed fluid connection point below the height of the at least one storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Kell, Jon Horner
  • METHODS FOR DETERMINING AND/OR ADJUSTING REDOX-ACTIVE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN REDOX FLOW BATTERIES
    Publication number: 20150303504
    Abstract: Methods of determining concentrations and/or amounts of redox-active elements at each valence state in an electrolyte solution of a redox flow battery are provided. Once determined, the concentrations and/or amounts of the redox-active elements at each valence state can be used to determine side-reactions, make chemical adjustments, periodically monitor battery capacity, adjust performance, or to otherwise determine a baseline concentration of the redox-active ions for any purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Yueqi Liu, Chenxi Sun
  • Methods for determining and/or adjusting redox-active element concentrations in redox flow batteries
    Patent number: 9846116
    Abstract: Methods of determining concentrations and/or amounts of redox-active elements at each valence state in an electrolyte solution of a redox flow battery are provided. Once determined, the concentrations and/or amounts of the redox-active elements at each valence state can be used to determine side-reactions, make chemical adjustments, periodically monitor battery capacity, adjust performance, or to otherwise determine a baseline concentration of the redox-active ions for any purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Yueqi Liu, Chenxi Sun
  • SIPHON BREAK FOR REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20160006058
    Abstract: A redox flow battery includes a battery housed in a substantially closed housing having at least first and second internal containers, wherein the first and second containers are in fluid communication with each other, and wherein the first container is configured for containing a quantity of electrolyte and providing a gas headspace above the electrolyte; an electrolyte circulation system configured to circulate the electrolyte between the first and second containers; and -an anti-siphon device configured to prevent siphoning between the first and second containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Kell, Jon Horner, Richard Winter
  • GAS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN A REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20160006053
    Abstract: A redox flow battery includes an anolyte storage tank configured for containing a quantity of anolyte and an anolyte headspace; a catholyte storage tank configured for containing a quantity of a catholyte and a catholyte headspace; and a gas management system comprising at least one conduit interconnecting the anolyte headspace and the catholyte headspace, and a gas exchange device configured to contain or release an evolving gas from either or both of the anolyte and catholyte storage tanks to an exterior battery environment when an interior battery pressure exceeds an exterior battery pressure by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Guanguang Xia, Jinfeng Wu, Chenxi Sun, Christopher Howard
  • ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL HAVING A PLURALITY OF ELECTROLYTE FLOW AREAS
    Publication number: 20160049680
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electrochemical cell includes a positive portion including a cathode and a catholyte half-cell and a negative portion including an anode and an anolyte half-cell, wherein at least one of the catholyte half-cell and the anolyte half-cell has a plurality of electrolyte flow areas; an ion transfer membrane separating the positive portion and the negative portion; and at least one positive current collector in contact with the cathode and at least one negative current collector in contact with the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qingtao Luo, Liyu Li, Lijun Bai, Jinfeng Wu, Richard Winter
  • MATCHING STATE OF CHARGE IN A STRING
    Publication number: 20190319289
    Abstract: A method of operating a redox flow battery string including at least first and second redox flow batteries and an outside power source includes: providing a least first and second redox flow batteries in a string electrically connected in a string, and each redox flow battery having a state-or-charge (SOC); obtaining an SOC value for each redox flow battery in the string; identifying a target SOC value in the string; and adjusting the SOC value for at least one of the first and second redox flow batteries to correspond to the target SOC value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chenxi Sun, Jinfeng Wu, Liyu Li, Jacob Parks, David Ridley
  • USING ENERGY IN ELECTROLYTE FOR BLACK START
    Publication number: 20180166725
    Abstract: A method of operating a redox flow battery includes: providing a redox flow battery configurable to be in off and on states and to be in an islanded state , the redox flow battery including an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with anolyte and catholyte storage tanks, wherein a portion of the anolyte and a portion of the catholyte is contained in the electrochemical cell, and wherein the redox flow battery is at least partially charged; identifying the redox flow battery to be in an off and islanded state; maintaining stored energy in the electrolyte in the electrochemical cell when the redox flow battery is in the off and islanded state; and using the energy stored in the electrolyte in the electrochemical cell to start the redox flow battery and enter the on state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chenxi Sun, Jinfeng Wu, Liyu Li, Jacob Parks, David Ridley
  • Gas management systems and methods in a redox flow battery
    Patent number: 9722264
    Abstract: A redox flow battery includes an anolyte storage tank configured for containing a quantity of anolyte and an anolyte headspace; a catholyte storage tank configured for containing a quantity of a catholyte and a catholyte headspace; and a gas management system comprising at least one conduit interconnecting the anolyte headspace and the catholyte headspace, and a gas exchange device configured to contain or release an evolving gas from either or both of the anolyte and catholyte storage tanks to an exterior battery environment when an interior battery pressure exceeds an exterior battery pressure by a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Guanguang Xia, Jinfeng Wu, Chenxi Sun, Christopher Howard
  • REFERENCE OPEN-CIRCUIT-VOLTAGE CELL FOR REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20180375132
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a redox flow battery includes an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with anolyte and catholyte working electrolytes, and a primary OCV cell to measure the potential difference between the positive and negative working electrolyte, and a reference OCV cell to measure the potential difference between the reference cell working electrolyte, which is one of the anolyte and catholyte working electrolytes, and a reference electrolyte, wherein the reference electrolyte has a known potential. In another embodiment, a method of operating a redox flow battery includes calculating the potential values of the anolyte and catholyte working electrolytes based on the known potential values of the reference electrolyte and the first and second potential difference values obtained from the primary OCV cell and the reference OCV cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Guanguang Xia, Qingtao Luo, Lijun Bai, Jinfeng Wu, Yueqi Liu
  • GAS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS IN A REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20180019486
    Abstract: A method of operating a redox flow battery includes providing a redox flow battery including an anolyte storage tank configured for containing a quantity of anolyte and an anolyte headspace, a catholyte storage tank configured for containing a quantity of a catholyte and a catholyte headspace, and a gas management system comprising at least one open conduit interconnecting the anolyte headspace and the catholyte headspace for free gas exchange between the anolyte and catholyte headspaces, and a passive gas exchange device in gaseous fluid communication with the anolyte headspace, the passive gas exchange device configured to release gas from the anolyte headspace to an exterior battery environment when an interior battery pressure exceeds an exterior battery pressure by a predetermined amount, and operating the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Guanguang Xia, Jinfeng Wu, Chenxi Sun, Christopher Howard
  • SINGLE CAPACITY BALANCING IN A REDOX FLOW BATTERY
    Publication number: 20160006054
    Abstract: A method of operating an all vanadium redox flow battery includes providing an all vanadium redox flow battery comprising an anolyte storage tank including a volume of anolyte and a catholyte storage tank including a volume of catholyte; an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the anolyte and catholyte storage tanks; and a predetermined range for the ratio of vanadium concentration between the anolyte and the catholyte; and transferring an amount of catholyte from the catholyte storage tank to the anolyte storage tank, or an amount of anolyte from the anolyte storage tank to the catholyte storage tank, to restore the ratio of vanadium concentration to the predetermined range. An all vanadium redox flow battery system includes means for transferring anolyte and catholyte between the anolyte and catholyte storage tanks to maintain a predetermined range for the ratio of vanadium concentration between the anolyte and the catholyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: UNIENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Liyu Li, Chenxi Sun, Jinfeng Wu, Qingtao Luo, Christopher Howard
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