U.S. patent application number 14/577368 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for rebalancing electrolytes in redox flow battery systems.
The applicant listed for this patent is EnerVault Corporation. Invention is credited to On Kok CHANG, Ai Quoc Pham.
Application Number | 20150104724 14/577368 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47992867 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150104724 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHANG; On Kok ; et
al. |
April 16, 2015 |
REBALANCING ELECTROLYTES IN REDOX FLOW BATTERY SYSTEMS
Abstract
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
(Fe.sup.2+) which may be oxidized to ferric iron (Fe.sup.3+) 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.
Inventors: |
CHANG; On Kok; (San Jose,
CA) ; Pham; Ai Quoc; (Milpitas, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EnerVault Corporation |
Sunnyvale |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47992867 |
Appl. No.: |
14/577368 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13433189 |
Mar 28, 2012 |
8916281 |
|
|
14577368 |
|
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|
61468738 |
Mar 29, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/418 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 8/188 20130101;
H01M 8/20 20130101; H01M 8/186 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M
10/4242 20130101; H01M 8/0693 20130101; Y02E 60/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/418 |
International
Class: |
H01M 8/06 20060101
H01M008/06; H01M 8/18 20060101 H01M008/18; H01M 8/20 20060101
H01M008/20 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Inventions included in this patent application were made
with Government support under DE-OE0000225 "Recovery Act--Flow
Battery Solution for Smart Grid Renewable Energy Applications"
awarded by the US Department of Energy (DOE). The Government has
certain rights in these inventions.
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A flow battery system, comprising: a first flow battery
reaction cell comprising: a first liquid filled half-cell chamber
in fluid communication with a first liquid electrolyte with a first
concentration of a first dissolved ionic species at a first
oxidation state; a second half-cell chamber in fluid communication
with a second liquid electrolyte with a second concentration of a
second dissolved ionic species at a second oxidation state; and a
first separator membrane separating the first half-cell chamber of
the first flow battery reaction cell from the second half-cell
chamber of the first flow battery reaction cell; a first rebalance
reaction cell comprising: a first liquid filled half-cell chamber
in fluid communication with the first liquid electrolyte; a second
liquid filled half-cell chamber in fluid communication with a
liquid mediator electrolyte with a third concentration of a third
dissolved ionic species at a third oxidation state; and a second
separator membrane separating the first half-cell chamber of the
first rebalance reaction cell from the second half-cell chamber of
the first rebalance reaction cell; and a second rebalance reaction
cell in fluid communication with the second source of liquid
mediator electrolyte, the second rebalance reaction cell comprising
a replenishable reactant, wherein: the first rebalance reaction
cell has a configuration that supports an electrochemical reaction
in which the first dissolved ionic species in the first liquid
electrolyte is reduced to a first lower oxidation state that is
lower than the first oxidation state of the first ionic species
while oxidizing a quantity of the third dissolved ionic species in
the liquid mediator electrolyte to a third higher oxidation state
that is higher than the third oxidation state of the third
dissolved ionic species; and the second rebalance reaction cell has
a configuration that supports an electrochemical reaction in which
a quantity of the third dissolved ionic species in the liquid
mediator electrolyte is reduced from the third higher oxidation
state to the third oxidation state of the third dissolved ionic
species while a quantity of the replenishable reactant is
oxidized.
11. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein the second
rebalance reaction cell comprises a galvanic cell.
12. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein the second
rebalance reaction cell comprises an electrolytic cell.
13. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein the second
rebalance reaction cell comprises a chemical reaction chamber.
14. The flow battery system of claim 13, wherein: the chemical
reaction chamber contains metallic iron chips; and the chemical
reaction chamber has a configuration such that the liquid mediator
electrolyte directly contacts the metallic iron chips.
15. The flow battery system of claim 13, wherein the chemical
reaction chamber has a configuration that supports a restoring
reaction in the mediator electrolyte inside a mediator electrolyte
tank.
16. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein the second
rebalance cell comprises a reactor comprising a column of solid
chips of the replenishable reactant over which the mediator
electrolyte is capable of flowing.
17. The flow battery system of claim 16, wherein an outlet of the
reactor is bifurcated with a first branch returning to a mediator
electrolyte tank and a second branch directing a portion of the
mediator electrolyte to be removed from the system.
18. The flow battery system of claim 16, wherein an outlet of the
reactor is coupled to a cooling coil and to a crystallization
chamber containing seed crystals.
19. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein the replenishable
reactant comprises metallic iron.
20. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein at least one of:
the first rebalance reaction cell; and the second rebalance
reaction cell comprises a catalyst.
21. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein the first ionic
species at the first oxidation state in the first liquid
electrolyte comprises Fe3+.
22. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein the third ionic
species at the third oxidation state in the liquid mediator
electrolyte comprises Fe2+.
23. The flow battery system of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the first rebalance reaction cell and the second rebalance reaction
cell has a configuration comprising a flow-through reaction
cell.
24. The flow battery system of claim 10, further comprising: a
reservoir containing the liquid mediator electrolyte; and a pump
configured to circulate the liquid mediator electrolyte between the
reservoir, the second half-cell of the first rebalance reaction
cell and the second rebalance reaction cell.
25. The flow battery system of claim 24, wherein the second
rebalance reaction cell is located inside the reservoir.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/468,738, filed Mar. 29, 2011,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention generally relates to reduction-oxidation
(redox) flow batteries and more particularly to mitigating and/or
reversing effects of reactant imbalances in liquid
electrolytes.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Flow batteries are electrochemical energy storage systems in
which electrochemical reactants are dissolved in liquid
electrolytes. The liquid electrolytes are pumped through reaction
cells where electrical energy is either converted to or extracted
from chemical potential energy in the reactants by way of reduction
and oxidation reactions. In applications where megawatts of
electrical energy are to be stored and discharged, a redox flow
battery system may be expanded to a required energy storage
capacity by increasing tank sizes. A flow battery system may be
expanded to produce the required output power by increasing the
number or size of electrochemical cells or cell blocks. A variety
of flow battery chemistries and arrangements are known in the
art.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment, a flow battery electrolyte rebalancing
system includes a first reaction cell, which in turn includes a
first half-cell chamber in fluid communication with a first source
of a liquid battery electrolyte, a second half-cell chamber in
fluid communication with a second source of a mediator electrolyte
including dissolved ferrous iron (Fe.sup.2) ions, and a separator
membrane between the first half-cell chamber and the second
half-cell chamber. The flow battery electrolyte rebalancing system
also comprises a second reaction cell including a replenishable
source of metallic iron and in fluid communication with the
mediator electrolyte.
[0006] In another embodiment, a flow battery electrolyte
rebalancing system includes a reaction cell having a first
half-cell chamber in fluid communication with a source of a liquid
battery electrolyte. A second half-cell chamber is in fluid
communication with a solution that consists essentially of an acid
selected from the group consisting of sulphuric acid, phosphoric
acid, sulfamic acid, and fluoroboric acid. A cation exchange
membrane is between the first half-cell and the second
half-cell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the invention, and together with the general
description given above and the detailed description given below,
serve to explain the features of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an
electrolyte rebalance system integrated into a redox flow battery
according to one embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an
electrolytic or galvanic flow-through rebalance cell according to
one embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an
electrolytic rebalance cell configured to be submerged in a storage
tank.
[0011] FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a
direct iron rebalancing system with a dilution system.
[0012] FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a
direct iron rebalancing system with a crystallization system.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic block diagram of two-stage
rebalancing system used in a flow battery system according to one
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a chemical
reaction chamber for electrolyte rebalancing in a flow battery
system according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In some redox flow battery systems based on the
Iron/Chromium (Fe/Cr) redox couple, the catholyte (in the positive
half-cell) contains FeCl.sub.3, FeCl.sub.2 and HCl. The anolyte (in
the negative half-cell) contains CrCl.sub.3, CrCl.sub.2 and HCl.
Such a system is known as an "un-mixed reactant" system. In a
"mixed reactant" system, the anolyte also contains FeCl.sub.2, and
the catholyte also contains CrCl.sub.3.
[0016] After a number of charge/discharge cycles, the catholyte and
anolyte may become unbalanced because of side reactions during
charge and/or discharge operations. For example, in the case of an
Fe/Cl redox flow battery, a hydrogen generation side-reaction
occurs at the negative electrode during the charge cycle. Such side
reactions cause an imbalance in electrolyte concentrations by
converting more reactant in one half-cell to a higher state of
oxidation (SOO) than occurs in the other half-cell. In this
unbalanced state, the concentration of Fe.sup.3+ may in the
positive half cell be higher than that of Cr.sup.2+ in the negative
half cell. The imbalance decreases the capacity of the battery and
is undesirable. The rate of hydrogen generation, and thus the rate
at which imbalance increases, may also increase at a higher
state-of-charge (SOC) of the flow battery.
[0017] The unbalanced state may be corrected by processing the
catholyte in a rebalancing cell. Several rebalancing systems have
been used in the past, including an Iron/Hydrogen fuel cell as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,159,366. The '366 patent describes a
rebalancing system including an electrolytic rebalance cell
configured to oxidize waste hydrogen at a rebalance cell anode and
reduce excess Fe.sup.3+ ions to Fe.sup.2+ ions at a rebalance cell
cathode. H.sub.2 may be recycled from the negative electrolyte and
directed into the rebalance cell along with a portion of the
positive electrolyte. A catalyst may be used to promote the
reaction with or without application of a driving current. Another
example of a similar cell is provided in "Advancements in the
Direct Hydrogen Redox Fuel Cell" by Khalid Fatih, David P.
Wilkinson, Franz Moraw, Alan Ilicic and Francois Girard, published
electronically by the Electrochemical Society Nov. 26, 2007.
[0018] Unfortunately, existing rebalance cells rely on
prohibitively expensive components, are undesirably inefficient, or
produce undesirable byproducts. Therefore, new redox flow battery
electrolyte rebalancing systems are needed.
[0019] As used herein, the phrase "state of charge" and its
abbreviation "SOC" refer to the ratio of stored electrical charges
(measured in ampere-hour) to charge storage capacity of a complete
redox flow battery system. In particular, the terms "state of
charge` and "SOC" may refer to an instantaneous ratio of usable
charge stored in the flow battery to the full theoretical charge
storage capacity of the flow battery system. In some embodiments,
"usable" stored charge may refer to stored charge that may be
delivered at or above a threshold voltage (e.g. about 0.7 V in some
embodiments of an Fe/Cr flow battery system). In some embodiments,
the theoretical charge storage capacity may be calculated excluding
the effects of unbalanced electrolytes.
[0020] As used herein the phrase "state of oxidation" and its
abbreviation "SOO" refer to the chemical species composition of at
least one liquid electrolyte. In particular, state of oxidation and
SOO refer to the proportion of reactants in the electrolyte that
have been converted (e.g. oxidized or reduced) to a "charged" state
from a "discharged" state. For example, in a redox flow battery
based on an Fe/Cr redox couple, the state of oxidation of the
catholyte (positive electrolyte) may be defined as the percent of
total Fe which has been oxidized from the Fe.sup.2+ form to the
Fe.sup.3+ form, and the state of oxidation of the anolyte (negative
electrolyte) may be defined as the percent of total Cr which has
been reduced from the Cr.sup.3+ form to the Cr.sup.2+ form.
Although many of the embodiments herein are described with
reference to an Fe/Cr flow battery chemistry, it should be
appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that some
embodiments are applicable to flow battery systems (and some hybrid
flow battery systems) using other reactants.
[0021] In some embodiments, the state of oxidation of the two
electrolytes may be changed or measured independent of one another.
Thus, the terms "state of oxidation" and "SOO" may refer to the
chemical composition of only one electrolyte, or of both
electrolytes in an all-liquid redox flow battery system. The state
of oxidation of one or both electrolytes may also be changed by
processes other than desired charging or discharging processes. For
example, undesired side reactions may cause oxidation or reduction
of active species in one electrolyte without producing a
corresponding reaction in the second electrolyte. Such side
reactions may cause the respective SOOs of the positive and
negative electrolytes to become unbalanced such that one
electrolyte has a higher effective SOO than the other.
[0022] The embodiments below include systems and methods for
rebalancing flow battery electrolytes in order to return the
concentrations of active reactants dissolved in the electrolytes
substantially nearer to equality. Below are several embodiments for
rebalancing electrolytes in redox flow batteries. Although many of
these embodiments are described with reference to Fe/Cr flow
batteries, the same principles and concepts may also be applied to
other flow battery chemistries.
[0023] The various embodiments will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same
reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to
the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and
implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended
to limit the scope of the invention or the claims.
[0024] In some embodiments, an electrolyte rebalance system 10 may
be integrated into a redox flow battery 12 as illustrated, for
example, in FIG. 1. A flow battery system 14 may generally include
a reaction stack assembly 16 fluidically joined to electrolyte
storage tanks 18, 20. The reaction stack assembly 16 may be
electrically connected to an electric load 22 and/or source 24. In
some embodiments, the electrolyte storage tanks 18, 20 may be
divided into four tank volumes, or four separate tanks may be
provided to separate charged electrolytes from discharged
electrolytes. Any number of pumps 26 may be provided to move
electrolytes throughout the flow battery system 14. A control
system 28 may also be provided to control charging, discharging,
rebalancing or other processes according to desired methods or
algorithms.
[0025] Thus, in some embodiments, an electrolyte storage tank 20
connected to a reaction stack assembly 16 may contain a positive
electrolyte (catholyte) with charged cathode reactant ions (e.g.,
Fe.sup.3+) and discharged cathode reactant ions (e.g. Fe.sup.2+).
If a catholyte tank contains an excess quantity of charged cathode
reactant ions (e.g., excess Fe.sup.3+) relative to a corresponding
concentration of charged anode reactant ions (e.g., Cr.sup.2+), the
catholyte may need to be rebalanced. In other embodiments, a flow
battery may become un-balanced in the opposite direction such that
the anolyte may contain an excess concentration of charged anode
reactant ions relative to a corresponding concentration of cathode
reactant ions. In either case, one or both electrolytes may be
treated chemically or electrochemically in an electrolyte rebalance
system 10 in order to bring the relative concentrations of reactant
forms into balance.
[0026] Flow-Through Electrolytic Cell
[0027] In some embodiments, unbalanced redox flow battery
electrolytes may be rebalanced in an electrolytic or galvanic
flow-through rebalance cell 100, an example of which is illustrated
in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, such a flow-through rebalance cell
100 may be configured to use only a liquid rebalance reactant and
to produce only a substantially innocuous gas as a byproduct. In
some embodiments, electrolytes may be rebalanced by treating either
the catholyte (e.g. reducing Fe.sup.3+ to Fe.sup.2+ in some
embodiments) or anolyte (e.g. reducing Cr.sup.3+ to Cr.sup.2+ in
some embodiments) in an electrolytic or galvanic rebalance
cell.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a flow-through rebalance
cell 100 including an anode chamber 102 and a cathode chamber 104
separated by a separator membrane 106. In some embodiments, one or
both chambers 102, 104 may contain porous electrodes of carbon felt
or other suitable flow-through electrode material. For example, any
material that is conductive and inert in the electrolyte may be
used as a porous or solid electrode that may be placed within or
formed integrally with a portion of one or both cell chambers. In
some embodiments, a surface of one or both electrodes may be
treated, plated or otherwise coated with a catalyst material
selected to promote desired reactions or to suppress undesired
reactions. A flow-through rebalance cell 100 may also include
electrical terminals 108 for electrically connecting the
flow-through rebalance cell 100 to a power source or electric load
110. In some embodiments, a plurality of flow-through rebalance
cells 100 may be combined into a rebalance cell block.
[0029] In some embodiments the separator membrane 106 may be an ion
exchange membrane (e.g., a cation exchange membrane). In other
embodiments, the separator membrane 106 may be a porous membrane.
In some embodiments, the flow-through rebalance cell 100 may
include one or more bipolar plates or terminal plates 112, 114 in
contact with an electrode within the anode and cathode chambers
102, 104, respectively. In alternative embodiments, one or both
chambers 102, 104 may be partially or entirely made of a material
capable of conducting an electric current into the cell contents.
For example, in some embodiments a rebalance cell body 116 may be
entirely or partially machined from a solid block of graphite. In
other embodiments, a rebalance cell body 116 may be molded from a
conductive polymer composite material.
[0030] In some embodiments, the flow-through rebalance cell 100 may
be operated as an electrolytic cell by applying a driving current
sufficient to drive a desired electrochemical reaction. In other
embodiments, the flow-through rebalance cell 100 may be operated as
a galvanic cell by applying a load across the terminals 108 to
allow a spontaneous electrochemical reaction to occur.
[0031] In some embodiments, the cathode chamber 104 may be
configured and joined to a flow battery system 14 to direct an
electrolyte into the cathode chamber 104. The anode chamber 102 may
be configured and connected to a source of a rebalance reactant
such that the rebalance reactant may be directed into and/or
through the anode chamber 102. For example, in some embodiments,
the rebalance reactant may be introduced at a rate sufficient to
replenish consumed reactants. In some embodiments, the rebalance
reactant may include a liquid with a chemical composition selected
to act as a reducing agent capable of reducing the un-balanced
electrolyte reactant to a desired form when the two are reacted in
a rebalance cell. In other embodiments, a rebalance reactant may
include an ionic species selected to act as a reducing agent
capable of reducing a species in the un-balanced electrolyte.
[0032] In-Tank Electrolytic Reaction Cell
[0033] In some embodiments, an electrolytic reaction cell may be
configured for placement within a tank. FIG. 3 illustrates an
embodiment of an in-tank electrochemical cell 200 configured to be
submerged in a liquid storage tank ("electrolyte tank") 202
containing an electrolyte 203 (e.g., a flow battery electrolyte or
a mediator electrolyte). In some embodiments, an in-tank
electrochemical cell 200 may be mounted to an interior wall 204 of
a liquid storage tank 202. An in-tank electrochemical cell 200 may
be generally configured such that an exterior surface of the cell
may operate as one "flow-through" electrode, and an interior of the
in-tank electrochemical cell 200 may operate as the second
flow-through electrolyte chamber. In some embodiments, an interior
chamber 206 which in some embodiments may include an inner
electrode layer 208 formed from a porous electrode material and
filling at least a portion of the interior chamber 206.
[0034] In some embodiments, a portion of an outer wall 209 of an
in-tank electrochemical cell 200 may include an outer electrode
layer 210 positioned as an outer layer and configured to act as an
electrode for electrolyte 203 in the liquid storage tank 202. The
outer electrode layer 210 may include or consist of any suitable
electrically conductive non-reactive (inert) material, such as a
carbon or graphite felt material.
[0035] A separator layer 214 may be positioned between the inner
electrode layer 208 and the outer electrode layer 210. In some
embodiments, the separator layer 214 may include or consist of an
ion selective membrane such as a cation exchange membrane or an
anion exchange membrane. In other embodiments, the separator layer
214 may include or consist of a porous separator membrane
material.
[0036] In some embodiments, an in-tank electrochemical cell 200 may
have a structural member 211 that may be made of a suitable plastic
or other non-reactive material. The structural member 211 may
include or consist of a lattice structure or other shape configured
to structurally support the internal electrode, separator layer 214
and the outer electrode layer 210 while causing minimal
interruption to the electrochemical reactions.
[0037] The electrode of the interior chamber 206 and the outer
electrode layer 210 may be connected to a source of electric
current in order to operate the in-tank electrochemical cell 200 as
an electrolytic cell. In other embodiments, if a desired reaction
proceeds spontaneously, the in-tank electrochemical cell 200 may be
operated as a galvanic cell by short-circuiting the two electrodes,
or by connecting the electrodes to an electric load.
[0038] In some embodiments, an in-tank electrochemical cell may
include a lid member 215 which may incorporate electrical
connections to the interior electrode layer 208 and outer electrode
layer 210. A lid member 215 may also include a structural
connection with the structural member 211. The lid member 215 may
also include a seal to prevent leakage of electrolyte 203 into or
out of the interior chamber 206. In some embodiments, an in-tank
electrochemical cell 200 may have a generally cylindrical shape. In
other embodiments, an in-tank electrochemical cell 200 may be in
the shape of a rectangular prism or any other geometric shape.
[0039] In some embodiments, the interior chamber 206 may be joined
in fluid communication with a source 212 of rebalance reactant. In
some embodiments, a pump or other circulating device may be used to
transport a desired quantity of rebalance reactant from the source
212 to the in-tank electrochemical cell 200. In alternative
embodiments, rebalance reactant may flow from the source 212 to the
in-tank electrochemical cell 200 by gravity, hydrostatic pressure
or other passive means.
[0040] In some embodiments of operation of an in-tank
electrochemical cell 200, an electric current may be applied to
electrodes of the in-tank electrochemical cell 200 to drive a
desired electrochemical reaction between the electrolyte 203 and
the rebalance reactant. Examples of such reactions are provided
below. In some embodiments, the in-tank electrochemical cell 200
may be configured to be removed or sealed off from contact with the
electrolyte 203 when the rebalance is not in use.
[0041] For clarity of illustration, the relative size of the
in-tank electrochemical cell 200 may be exaggerated in FIG. 3
relative to the tank 202 in some embodiments. In some embodiments,
a circulation pump may be disposed within the liquid storage tank
202 to circulate electrolyte 203 over the in-tank electrochemical
cell 200 to promote a complete rebalancing reaction.
[0042] Direct Iron Rebalancing
[0043] In some embodiments, an excess quantity of a charged
catholyte reactant, such as excess Fe.sup.3+, may be reduced by a
spontaneous chemical reaction with metallic iron according to the
equation:
Fe+2Fe.sup.3+.fwdarw.3Fe.sup.2+ [1]
[0044] In order for this reaction to occur spontaneously, the
electrolyte containing excess Fe.sup.3+ must be in direct contact
with the metallic iron. The reaction of equation [1] may be used to
directly rebalance a catholyte within a catholyte storage tank or
in a separate reaction environment. In some embodiments, a source
of metallic iron, such as a block of iron may simply be placed into
an electrolyte tank. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to
control the extent and/or the rate of the rebalancing reaction.
[0045] The product Fe.sup.2+ is a component of the electrolyte and
is not detrimental to the battery, but the extra FeCl.sub.2
generated in the reaction of equation [1] has to be removed from
the electrolyte, either by dilution and removal of part of the
solution (e.g. using a system 300 such as that illustrated in FIG.
4A), or by crystallizing and removing FeCl.sub.2 4H.sub.2O crystals
(e.g., using a system 302 such as that illustrated in FIG. 4B).
[0046] As shown in FIG. 4A, a quantity of electrolyte may be
directed as indicated at 304 through a reactor 306 in the form of a
column of metallic iron chips 308 configured such that electrolyte
may flow through the column while directly contacting a substantial
surface area of the metallic iron chips 308. At an output 310 of
the reactor 306, some portion of the electrolyte may be diverted
and removed, as indicated at 312, while a remaining portion is
directed back into the electrolyte tank as indicated at 314 along
with a diluting solution (e.g. water or an aqueous supporting
electrolyte solution) as indicated at 316. In some embodiments, the
composition of the rebalanced electrolyte returning to the
electrolyte tank may be maintained within a desired range by
controlling the relative flow rates of diverted electrolyte,
returned electrolyte and diluting solution in the system 300 of
FIG. 4A.
[0047] Alternatively, as shown in the system 302 of FIG. 4B, at the
outlet 310 of the reactor 306, the electrolyte may be cooled and
then directed through a crystallization chamber 320 which may
include some quantity of seed crystals (FeCl.sub.2 4H.sub.20) 322
to encourage the formation of FeCl.sub.2 crystals. Because
solubility is a function of temperature, the electrolyte exiting
the column may be cooled to a temperature at which a desired
quantity of FeCl.sub.2 crystalizes out of the rebalanced
electrolyte solution. In some embodiments, the extent of
crystallization and thereby the composition of the rebalanced
electrolyte returning to the electrolyte tank may be maintained
within a desired range by controlling the temperature of the
electrolyte entering the crystallization tank, such as by a cooling
coil 324.
[0048] Two-Loop Iron Rebalancing
[0049] In some embodiments, the reaction of equation [1] may be
undesirable due to difficulty in controlling the extent or rate of
rebalancing or due to additional contaminants that may be present
in a particular source of metallic iron. Therefore, in order to
utilize the reaction of Equation [1] with better control, and with
a reduced possibility for contamination of the electrolyte, a
two-stage rebalance system may be used.
[0050] With further reference to FIG. 1, an Fe/Cr redox flow
battery 12 may be rebalanced by reducing excess Fe.sup.3+ to
Fe.sup.2+. Thus, in some embodiments, an electrolyte storage tank
20 connected to a redox flow battery 12 may contain a positive
redox flow battery electrolyte (catholyte) with charged iron ions
(Fe.sup.3+) and discharged iron ions (Fe.sup.2+). If the catholyte
tank contains an excess quantity of charged iron ions (Fe.sup.3+),
the catholyte may be rebalanced in a two-stage rebalancing system
400 such as that illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an electrolyte
rebalancing system 10 (FIG. 1), in particular a two-stage rebalance
system 400, for use in an Iron/Chrome or other redox flow battery
12 to form a rebalancing flow battery system 14. In some
embodiments, the two-stage rebalance system 400 of FIG. 5 may use
an electrochemical rebalance cell 402 to reduce an excess
electrolyte reactant component (e.g., Fe.sup.3+) to a desired
reactant component (e.g., Fe.sup.2+) by reacting a mediator
reactant solution with the battery electrolyte in the rebalance
cell 402. The two-stage rebalance system 400 may also include a
mediator electrolyte tank 404 for storing a mediator electrolyte.
The two-stage rebalance system 400 may also include a second
reaction cell 406 which may be located within or joined in fluid
communication with the mediator electrolyte tank 404. The second
reaction cell 406 may be configured to restore the reducing ability
of the mediator electrolyte. The second reaction cell 406 may take
several forms, such as those described in FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B.
[0052] In some embodiments, the rebalance cell 402 may be a
flow-through electrolytic cell such as that described above with
reference to FIG. 2. In alternative embodiments, the rebalance cell
402 may be an in-tank electrolytic cell 200 such as that described
above with reference to FIG. 3. In further embodiments, the
rebalance cell 402 may comprise any other suitable electrolytic
cell design. In most embodiments, at least one of the mediator
electrolyte and the battery electrolyte may be pumped or otherwise
circulated through the rebalance cell 402. Thus, embodiments of the
rebalance cell 402 will be described as a flow-through rebalance
cell 402.
[0053] In some embodiments, the reaction in the flow-through
rebalance cell 402 may be:
Reduction (first or left cathode (half-cell) chamber 410):
Fe.sup.3++e.sup.-.fwdarw.Fe.sup.2+ [2]
Oxidation (second or right anode (half-cell) chamber 412):
Fe.sup.2+.fwdarw.Fe.sup.3++e.sup.- [3]
[0054] In some embodiments, a mediator electrolyte tank 404 may be
provided as a reservoir for a mediator electrolyte. The mediator
electrolyte tank 404 may be fluidically joined to the flow-through
rebalance cell 402 such that the mediator electrolyte may be pumped
through the flow-through rebalance cell 402. In some embodiments, a
mediator electrolyte tank 404 may include features configured to
facilitate integration of components for refreshing an active
material within the mediator electrolyte. Embodiments of such
features and components are described below.
[0055] In some embodiments, a mediator electrolyte may include an
aqueous solution containing ferrous iron (Fe.sup.2+). For example
in some embodiments, a precursor material containing Fe.sup.2+
ions, such as FeCl.sub.2, may be dissolved in an aqueous supporting
electrolyte, such as hydrochloric acid. In alternative embodiments,
any other precursor material containing Fe.sup.2+ ions may be
dissolved in any other suitable supporting electrolyte.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, battery electrolyte from a battery
electrolyte tank 20 may be pumped into a left chamber (first
half-cell) 410 of the flow-through rebalance cell 402. The mediator
electrolyte may be pumped from the mediator electrolyte tank 404
into a right chamber (second half-cell) 412 of the flow-through
rebalance cell 402. The chambers 410, 412 of the flow-through
rebalance cell 402 may be separated by a microporous separator
membrane 414 or by an ion exchange membrane such as DuPont.TM.
NAFION.RTM.. Any other suitable flow-through cell construction may
alternatively be used.
[0057] Within the flow-through rebalance cell 402, a spontaneous
electrochemical reaction will proceed in which the Fe.sup.3+ ions
in the left chamber 410 will be reduced to Fe.sup.2+ as the
Fe.sup.2+ ions in the right chamber 412 are oxidized to Fe.sup.3+.
The electrical terminals of the rebalance cell may be
short-circuited, or may be connected to a small load. In some
embodiments, the rate of reaction may be controlled by controlling
a variable electrical load connected to the terminals.
[0058] In some embodiments, the battery electrolyte and the
mediator electrolyte may be re-circulated through the flow-through
reaction cell 402 of the two-stage rebalance system 400 as many
times as needed to achieve a desired level of rebalancing. In
alternative embodiments, an electrochemical rebalance stack may be
configured with a plurality of cells.
[0059] In some embodiments, the Fe.sup.3+ that is pumped out of the
right chamber 412 of the flow-through reaction cell 402 may be
reduced back to Fe.sup.2+ to restore the rebalancing capability of
the mediator electrolyte. In some embodiments, such a restorative
reaction may be performed as a chemical reaction occurring within
the mediator electrolyte tank 404. In some such embodiments, a
source of metallic iron (Fe) may be provided directly in the
mediator electrolyte tank 404. A spontaneous (with or without
catalyst) chemical reaction will proceed within the mediator
electrolyte tank 404 in which Fe.sup.3+ and metallic iron react to
produce 3Fe.sup.2+, according to equation [1].
[0060] In such embodiments, the concentration of Fe.sup.2+ in the
mediator electrolyte tank 404 may be allowed to increase until it
reaches saturation so as to allow the Fe.sup.2+ to precipitate out
of solution (e.g., as FeCl.sub.2 salt crystals as described above
with reference to FIG. 4B). In some embodiments, precipitation may
be encouraged by providing crystal nucleating structures within the
mediator electrolyte tank 404 or within a removable module in the
mediator electrolyte tank 404. In some embodiments, the Fe.sup.2+
precipitate may be removed from the mediator electrolyte tank 404
and collected. The collected Fe.sup.2+ may then be used to produce
new electrolyte for external use, such as in building additional
Fe/Cr flow batteries. Additionally, when the metallic iron in the
mediator electrolyte tank 16 becomes sufficiently consumed, new
metallic iron may be added.
[0061] In another embodiment, the concentration of Fe.sup.2+ may be
restored to a desired level by replacing a volume of mediator
electrolyte having a high concentration of Fe.sup.2+ with a volume
of water or supporting electrolyte (e.g., as described above with
reference to FIG. 4A). For example, a controlled quantity of water
may be added to the mediator electrolyte tank 404 to restore the
relative concentration of Fe.sup.2+ to a desired value, thus
avoiding precipitation. In some embodiments, a volume of mediator
electrolyte solution with a high concentration of Fe.sup.2+ ions
may be pumped out of the mediator electrolyte tank 404 and into a
separate tank. The collected solution with excess Fe.sup.2+ may
then be transported or processed for external use, such as for
manufacturing electrolytes for other Fe/Cr battery units.
[0062] Chemical In-Tank Restorative Reaction Cell
[0063] In some embodiments, a second reaction cell 406 (FIG. 5) for
restoring the reducing ability of the mediator electrolyte may
comprise a chemical reaction chamber 420 such as that illustrated
in FIG. 6. In some embodiments, a chemical reaction chamber 420 may
be configured for placement within a mediator electrolyte tank 404
(FIG. 5) to cause a restoring reaction in the mediator electrolyte
inside the tank. In some embodiments, such a reaction chamber 420
may be placed within the interior of a mediator electrolyte tank
404 along with a circulation device configured to move mediator
electrolyte through the reaction chamber 420, or to move the
reaction chamber 420 within the tank.
[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in some embodiments an in-tank
chemical reaction chamber 420 may include a housing portion with an
outer wall 422 formed of a porous structure selected to allow free
movement of electrolyte into an internal cavity 424 within the
outer wall 422. In some embodiments, the housing (outer wall 422)
may comprise a tubular cylinder, although any other shape with an
internal cavity 424 may also be used. In some embodiments, a
permeable chamber may be fabricated from a chemically inert porous
material such as graphite or a polymer material that is configured
to allow free movement of a liquid electrolyte into and out of the
internal cavity 424 such that the electrolyte may freely contact
and react with a chemical reducing agent within the cavity 424. In
some embodiments, a catalyst may be applied on the porous material
such that the catalyst is in contact with both reactants to
facilitate the reaction between them.
[0065] In some embodiments, a reducing agent, such as metallic iron
may be placed within the interior of the internal cavity 424. In
some embodiments, once the reducing agent within the internal
cavity 424 is consumed, the entire chemical reaction chamber 420 or
a removable component within the chemical reaction chamber 420 may
be replaced.
[0066] Electrolytic Restorative Reaction Cell
[0067] In alternative embodiments, a second reaction cell 406 (FIG.
5) for restoring the reducing ability of the mediator electrolyte
may be configured as an electrolytic or galvanic flow-through cell
of construction similar to the flow-through reaction cell 100
described above with reference to FIG. 2. Such a flow-through
electrolytic reaction cell 100 may include a first chamber (first
half-cell) 102 and a second chamber (second half-cell) 104
separated by a separator membrane 106. The following embodiments of
restorative reactions will be described with reference to the use
of a flow-through reaction cell (e.g., flow-through rebalance cell
100 in FIG. 2) as the restorative reaction cell 406 (FIG. 5). In
alternative embodiments, the restorative reaction cell may comprise
an in-tank electrolytic cell 300 as described above with reference
to FIG. 3.
[0068] For example, in some embodiments, metallic iron (Fe) may be
oxidized to ferrous iron (Fe.sup.2+) in one chamber (e.g., chamber
102) of a flow-through reaction cell 100 while Fe.sup.3+ is reduced
to Fe.sup.2+ in the second chamber (e.g., chamber 104). Such
embodiments may still proceed according to the reaction of equation
[1] above. In some embodiments, such a flow-through reaction cell
100 may also be used to directly rebalance the catholyte of an
Fe/Cr flow battery. Because the reaction of equation [1] occurs
spontaneously, a flow through cell in which that reaction occurs
may be operated as a galvanic cell either by short-circuiting the
electrodes, or by electrically connecting the cell to an electric
load. In other embodiments, the reaction of equation [1] may be
driven as an electrolytic reaction in a flow-through cell. In such
embodiments, the reaction may achieve a higher reaction rate, and
may allow for additional control.
[0069] Rebalancing with Organic Compounds
[0070] In some alternative embodiments, a flow battery electrolyte
may be rebalanced using an organic reducing agent within a modified
in-tank chemical reaction cell such as that described above with
reference to FIG. 6. For example, in some embodiments, an organic
reducing agent may be placed within a chemical reaction chamber
420, and the reaction chamber 420 may be placed within an
electrolyte tank. In some embodiments, an organic reducing agent
may be selected to react to form an innocuous gas and/or water as a
byproduct. For example, in some embodiments, organic liquids of the
general formula C.sub.xH.sub.yO.sub.z that react to form gaseous
CO.sub.2 are useful. Examples of such compounds may include formic
acid (HCOOH), formaldehyde (HCHO), oxalic acid
(C.sub.2H.sub.2O.sub.4), methanol (CH.sub.3OH), etc. Hydrogen is
also a reducing agent that forms H.sup.+ and may be used to reduce
Fe.sup.3+ to Fe.sup.2+. The reducing properties of carbon monoxide
(CO) may also be used to reduce Fe.sup.3+ to Fe.sup.2+.
Nitrogen-containing compounds that oxidize to N.sub.2 may also be
used. N.sub.2H.sub.4 may also be used but the reaction product may
include ammonium ions (NH.sup.4+). This cation may not be desirable
if its presence results in deleterious effects to the electrode
kinetics and electrolyte conductivity.
[0071] In such organic reducing agent embodiments, an in-tank
chemical cell such as that illustrated in FIG. 6 may be modified
such that a catalyzed chemical reaction occurs in a region within a
porous outer wall 422 material of the chamber 420 between an
organic reducing agent stored within the interior cavity 424 and
the electrolyte in the tank. Thus, in some embodiments, the outer
wall 422 may be configured to be substantially semi-permeable to
allow reactions between the organic liquid compound within the
internal cavity and the electrolyte within the tank. In such
embodiments, the organic reducing agent may permeate outwards
through the outer wall 422 and the electrolyte to be reacted may
penetrate inwards. In some embodiments, a catalyst may be provided
to promote the desired reaction. Such a catalyst material may be
provided within the internal cavity 424, or within a portion of the
outer wall 422 between an outer surface and the internal cavity
424. Alternatively, a catalyst may be provided as a coating on the
semi permeable membrane of the outer wall 422. In some embodiments,
a reaction chamber 420 may be placed within a tank along with a
circulation device configured to direct fresh electrolyte over the
reaction chamber 420.
[0072] Sulphuric Acid Electrolytic Cell
[0073] In some embodiments, an electrolytic flow-through rebalance
cell 100 such as that shown in FIG. 2 may be configured to directly
rebalance a flow battery electrolyte by oxidizing H.sub.2O in the
anode (rebalance) chamber 102 and reducing Fe.sup.3+ to Fe.sup.2+
in the cathode (battery) chamber 104. In some embodiments, the
anode chamber 102 may be configured to have a substantially larger
internal volume as compared with the cathode chamber 104. Such a
relatively large volume may substantially reduce the current
density in the anode (rebalance) chamber 102, thereby reducing the
overvoltage for O.sub.2 production. A rebalance cell 100 of these
embodiments may use a cation exchange membrane in order to minimize
migration of Cl.sup.- ions. In some embodiments, the anode
(rebalance) chamber 102 may be configured as a static volume, while
in other embodiments the rebalance electrolyte may flow through the
rebalance cell 100.
[0074] In some embodiments, a rebalance reactant may include a
solution of H.sub.2SO.sub.4 (sulphuric acid), which may be
introduced into the anode chamber 102. The flow battery electrolyte
to be rebalanced may be introduced into the cathode chamber 104,
and an electric current may be applied, thereby operating the
rebalance cell 100 in an electrolytic mode. In alternative
embodiments, the rebalance reactant may include phosphoric acid,
sulfamic acid, fluoroboric acid or any other acid solution that
generates only oxygen upon oxidation. In such embodiments, the
desired reactions may be as follows:
Anode reaction: H.sub.2O(a).fwdarw.1/2O.sub.2+2H.sup.+(a)+2e.sup.-
[4]
Transfer reaction: 2H+(a).fwdarw.2H.sup.+(c) [5]
Cathode reaction: 2e.sup.-+2M.sup.3+(c).fwdarw.2M.sup.2+(c) [6]
Overall reaction:
H.sub.2O(a)+2M.sup.3+(c).fwdarw.2M.sup.2+(c)+2H.sup.+(c)+1/2O.sub.2
[7]
where M is the catholyte (e.g. Fe) or anolyte (e.g. Cr). In such
embodiments, the only material consumed is water and the only
by-product is oxygen gas. In such embodiments, the oxygen gas may
be vented to atmosphere, or captured and stored. In some
embodiments, the Fe and Cr complexes may contain chloride. These
are cations and may thus pass through a cation exchange membrane,
bringing chloride to the anode chamber. As a result, trace amounts
of chlorine may be generated in a side reaction of oxygen
generation. Thus, in some embodiments, rebalancing processes may be
performed on an Fe/Cr flow battery electrolyte without producing
substantial quantities of Cl.sub.2. The concentration of sulfuric
acid, or other suitable acids, is not critical. The desired
concentration should be such that the osmotic pressure of the acid
equals that of the electrolyte being rebalanced.
[0075] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to conduct
rebalancing on an electrolyte when the electrolyte is at or near a
specified state-of-oxidation concentration. For example, in some
embodiments with an Fe/Cr electrolyte chemistry, it may be
desirable to conduct catholyte rebalancing processes at a high
(i.e. relatively charged) state-of-oxidation, since the higher
concentration of Fe.sup.3+ facilitates the reaction of equation
[6]. Similarly, conducting anolyte rebalancing processes at a
relatively low (i.e. relatively discharged) state-of-oxidation,
with a relatively high concentration of Cr.sup.3+ may facilitate
the reaction of equation [6] and minimize any H.sub.2 side
reaction.
[0076] In some embodiments, the voltage applied to the electrolytic
cell may be higher than the OCV of the reaction of equation [7].
The OCV suggested by equation [7] will vary depending on whether
the anolyte or catholyte is being rebalanced, as will be clear to
the skilled artisan from the following equations.
[0077] For rebalancing the negative electrolyte:
anodic: 2e.sup.-+2Cr.sup.3+.fwdarw.2Cr.sup.2+ E=-0.40V [8]
overall: H.sub.2O+2Cr.sup.3+.fwdarw.2Cr.sup.2++2H.sup.++1/2O.sub.2
E=-1.65V [9]
[0078] For rebalancing the positive electrolyte:
anodic: 2e.sup.-+2Fe.sup.3+.fwdarw.2Fe.sup.2+ E=+0.77V [10]
overall: H.sub.2O+2Fe.sup.3+.fwdarw.2Fe.sup.2++2H.sup.++1/2O.sub.2
E=-0.52V [11]
[0079] Therefore, in some embodiments a relatively high voltage may
be needed to drive the rebalance reaction for rebalancing the
negative electrolyte using embodiments of an H.sub.2O reducing
system such as those described above.
[0080] Carbon Electrolytic Cell
[0081] In alternative embodiments, carbon may be oxidized to
CO.sub.2 in a rebalance cell 100, 200 such as those described above
with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, with a solid carbon
electrode. Such embodiments may proceed according to the following
reactions:
Oxidation: C+2H.sub.2O(a).fwdarw.CO.sub.2+4H.sup.+(a)+4e.sup.-
[12]
Overall:
1/2C+2M.sup.3+(c)+H.sub.2O(a).fwdarw.1/2CO.sub.2+2H.sup.+(c)+2e-
.sup.- [13]
[0082] It is desirable to use carbon of good conductivity and high
surface area (e.g., greater than about 50 m.sup.2/g). A particular
suitable form of carbon is carbon black. A solid electrode may be
fabricated with the desired carbon and a binder material. In such
carbon-oxidizing embodiments, water is consumed and CO.sub.2 is
produced as a byproduct.
[0083] Unequal Mixed Reactant
[0084] In some embodiments, instead of actively rebalancing
unbalanced electrolytes, it may be desirable to simply mitigate the
disadvantages of an unbalanced system. In some embodiments, a mixed
reactant that contains unequal concentrations of FeCl.sub.2 and
CrCl.sub.3 in the initial electrolyte (fully discharged) may be
used to minimize the inequality in concentrations of CrCl.sub.2 and
FeCl.sub.3, and to mitigate H.sub.2 evolution. One example of the
composition in the fully discharged state is 1M FeCl.sub.2/1.1M
CrCl.sub.3/2-3M HCl. In such embodiments, the concentration of
CrCl.sub.3 is intentionally made higher than that of FeCl.sub.2.
Upon charge, the SOO of CrCl.sub.2 will be lower than that of
FeCl.sub.3, thereby avoiding high SOO conditions at the Cr
electrode where H.sub.2 evolution is a greater problem. With this
unequal mixed reactant, the Fe electrode may be charged to nearly
100% while the Cr electrode is charged to a lower SOO. The presence
of excess CrCl.sub.3 allows the Cr electrode to avoid the high SOOs
where H.sub.2 evolution becomes a problem.
[0085] The Fe ionic species (Fe.sup.3+, Fe.sup.2+) at the positive
electrode have a total concentration Fe.sub.t=Fe.sup.3++Fe.sup.2+.
Correspondingly, the Cr ionic species (Cr.sup.3+, Cr.sup.2+) at the
negative electrode have a total concentration
Cr.sub.t=Cr.sup.3++Cr.sup.2+. With the unequal mixed reactant,
Fe.sub.t does not equal Cr.sub.t, and the concentration of ionic
species Fe.sup.3+, Fe.sup.2+, Cr.sup.3+ and Cr.sup.2+ vary widely
with SOO which is defined here as PosSOO=Fe.sup.3+/Fe.sub.t and
NegSOO=Cr.sup.2+/Cr.sub.t, for the positive electrode and negative
electrode, respectively.
[0086] The rate of H.sub.2 evolution is enhanced at more negative
potentials, which occurs as the Cr electrode becomes more fully
charged. During charge, the ratio of the concentration of Cr.sup.2+
to the concentration of Cr.sup.3+ (i.e. Cr.sup.2+/Cr.sup.3+)
increases, which is reflected in the more negative potential of the
Cr electrode. By adding excess Cr.sup.3+, this ratio will be lower
and hence, the potential of the Cr electrode will be less negative
and H.sub.2 evolution will be mitigated.
[0087] For example, the maximum charge that may be inputted to a
cell with a mixed reactant with unequal concentrations of
FeCl.sub.2 and CrCl.sub.3 at 0% SOO (fully discharged) of 1M
FeCl.sub.2/1.1M CrCl.sub.3/2M HCl is limited by the lower
concentration of the electroactive species in the anolyte or
catholyte. In this case, the lower concentration is 1M FeCl.sub.2.
The effect of excess CrCl.sub.3 on SOO may be seen in the following
example. During charge, if nearly the entire 1M FeCl.sub.2 is
oxidized to FeCl.sub.3, then PosSOO is nearly 100%. At the same
time approximately the same amount (1M) of CrCl.sub.3 is reduced to
CrCl.sub.2. The NegSOO is approximately 91% (1.0/1.1). In this
example, the maximum SOO of the unequal mixed reactant composition
is a function of the excess amount of CrCl.sub.3 and the
concentration of FeCl.sub.2.
[0088] The following is an example of the benefits of the unequal
mixed reactant on the cell voltage. The cell voltage calculated
using a Nernst potential relationship is 1.104 V for a cell
containing equimolar mixed reactant (i.e. 1M FeCl.sub.2/1M
CrCl.sub.3/1M HCl) that is charged to 90% SOO.
[0089] This may be compared with a cell with an unequal mixed
reactant containing an excess of Cr.sup.3+ with a composition of 1M
FeCl.sub.2/1.1M CrCl.sub.3/1M HCl. When the PosSOO is 90% for the
positive electrode (Fe electrode), the negative electrode (Cr
electrode) NegSOO is 81.8% and the cell voltage is 1.084 V. By
adding a slight excess of Cr.sup.3+, the SOO of the negative
electrode is lower by about 8%. This factor is beneficial for
mitigating H.sub.2 evolution at higher SOO, and help enhance energy
efficiency.
[0090] With an unequal mixed reactant containing
[CrCl.sub.3]>[FeCl.sub.2], charge is limited by the
concentration of FeCl2, and NegSOO<PosSOO. The presence of
excess Cr.sup.3+ reduces the need for rebalancing the anolyte and
catholyte concentrations and is beneficial in mitigating H.sub.2
evolution at higher SOO.
[0091] Embodiments of redox flow battery rebalancing systems,
rebalance cells and other systems and methods described herein may
be used with any electrochemical reactant combinations that include
reactants dissolved in an electrolyte. One example is a stack
assembly containing the vanadium reactants V(II)/V(III) or
V.sup.2+/V.sup.3+ at the negative electrode (anolyte) and
V(IV)/V(V) or V.sup.4+/V.sup.5+ at the positive electrode
(catholyte). The anolyte and catholyte reactants in such a system
are dissolved in sulfuric acid. This type of battery is often
called the all-vanadium battery because both the anolyte and
catholyte contain vanadium species. Other combinations of reactants
in a flow battery that may utilize the features and advantages of
the systems described herein include Sn (anolyte)/Fe (catholyte),
Mn (anolyte)/Fe (catholyte), V (anolyte)/Fe (catholyte), V
(anolyte)/Ce (catholyte), V (anolyte)/Br.sub.2 (catholyte), Fe
(anolyte)/Br.sub.2 (catholyte), and S (anolyte)/Br.sub.2
(catholyte). In each of these example chemistries, the reactants
are present as dissolved ionic species in the electrolytes, which
permits the advantageous use of configured cascade flow battery
cell and stack assembly designs in which cells have different
physical, chemical or electrochemical properties along the cascade
flow path (e.g. cell size, type of membrane or separator, type and
amount of catalyst, etc.). A further example of a workable redox
flow battery chemistry and system is provided in U.S. Pat. No.
6,475,661, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference. Many of the embodiments herein may be applied to
so-called "hybrid" flow batteries (such as a zinc/bromine battery
system) which use only a single flowing electrolyte.
[0092] The foregoing description of the various embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein, and instead the claims should be accorded
the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features
disclosed herein.
* * * * *