Integrated hydrogen recycle system using pressurized multichamber tank

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024421335-A1
Application number	US-202418821833-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 30, 2024
Priority date	Apr 28, 2017
Publication date	Dec 19, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A multi-chambered electrolyte storage tank for a redox flow battery system, may include first and second electrolyte chambers, and a bulkhead, wherein the first and second electrolyte chambers are fluidly coupled to first and second sides of a redox flow battery cell, respectively, the first and second electrolyte chambers include first and second liquid electrolyte volumes, respectively, and the first and second liquid electrolyte volumes are separated by the bulkhead positioned therebetween. In this way, manufacturing and operational complexity of a redox flow battery system can be reduced.

First claim

1 . A method of operating a redox flow battery system, including:
directing negative electrolyte from a negative electrolyte chamber positioned in a multi-chambered electrolyte storage tank to a negative electrode compartment of a redox flow battery cell, and directing positive electrolyte from a positive electrolyte chamber positioned in the multi-chambered electrolyte storage tank to a positive electrode compartment of the redox flow battery cell, wherein the negative electrolyte in the negative electrolyte chamber and the positive electrolyte in the positive electrolyte chamber are separated by a bulkhead within the multi-chambered electrolyte storage tank.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising returning liquid electrolyte and entrained gas therein from the redox flow battery cell to submersed positions within the negative and positive electrolyte of the negative and positive electrolyte chambers, respectively.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising returning liquid electrolyte and entrained gas by way of return inlets fluidly coupled to return manifolds positioned below liquid threshold fill levels in each of the negative and positive electrolyte chambers, respectively.

4 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising separating the entrained gas from the returning liquid within the negative electrolyte chamber and the positive electrolyte chamber.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein separating the entrained gas from the returning liquid includes separating the entrained gas from the returning liquid without moving mechanical devices.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein separating the entrained gas from the returning liquid includes separating gas via return manifolds including upper openings positioned in an upper surface and lower openings positioned in a lower surface, and wherein entrained gases bubble out of the upper openings and liquid flows out the lower openings.

7 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising storing the separated entrained gas in a gas head space above the negative and positive electrolyte of the negative and positive electrolyte chambers, respectively, wherein the gas head space is positioned in the multi-chambered electrolyte storage tank.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising delivering gas from the gas head space to negative and positive rebalancing reactors fluidly coupled between the negative and positive electrolyte chambers and the negative and positive electrode compartments, respectively.

Assignees

• Ess Technology Inc

Inventors

• Song Yang
• Fisher Kenneth Kiyoshi
• Mcdonald Timothy

Classifications

• Y02E60/50

  Fuel cells · CPC title

• H01M8/2484

  characterised by external manifolds · CPC title

• H01M8/0289

  Means for holding the electrolyte (solid polymer electrolytes H01M8/1018) · CPC title

• H01M8/04097

  with recycling of the reactants (H01M8/04119, H01M8/04104 take precedence) · CPC title

• H01M8/04201

  Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes · CPC title