Comparing velocities and pressures in redox flow batteries with interdigitated and serpentine channels

Macdonald, Malcolm; Darling, Robert M.

doi:10.1002/aic.16553

Cited by 25 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…However, the discharging potential of the battery with IFF was always higher than that of the battery with SFF when the electrode was composed of three or one layer of carbon paper, and the divergence in discharging potential between the two batteries widened with the decrease of carbon paper in the electrode. Obviously, this variation trend is consistent with the summary of this work that the reduction of electrode thickness enhances the performance reversal between IFF and SFF at low electrode porosity, which is also consistent with the opinion of Macdonald and Darling (2019) that "SFF preferred thick electrodes and high flow rates in comparison with IFF." The aforementioned analyses confirm that the conclusions of this work achieve the unification of the results in literatures.…”

Section: A Unified Interpretation To the Inconsistent Conclusion In P...supporting

confidence: 92%

Experimental Investigation on the Performance Characteristics of Flow Fields in Redox Flow Batteries Under Various Electrode Parameters

Duan

Zhang

et al. 2022

Front. Therm. Eng.

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All-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is a promising energy storage technique. Flow fields play a crucial role in distributing the electrolyte into the electrode uniformly, but their performance characteristics under different electrode parameters are still unclear. In this work, taking the total pressure drop and total overpotential as performance characterizations, the influence of electrode parameters and operating conditions on the performance of serpentine flow field (SFF) and interdigitated flow field (IFF) are experimentally investigated. It is found that the battery with IFF exhibits lower pressure drop than that with SFF because of the shunt effect of IFF on electrolyte. In terms of promoting the uniform distribution of the electrolyte into the electrode, the SFF outperforms IFF when the electrode porosity is higher than 0.810, but the performance of SFF and IFF could be reversed as the electrode porosity decreases to 0.714, indicating that there may be a performance reversal between SFF and IFF when the electrode porosity decreases from 0.810 to 0.714. Moreover, the increase of current density, the decrease of electrolyte input, and the decrease of electrode thickness strengthen the performance reversal at low electrode porosity. The results well explain the debate on the superiority of IFF and SFF and the discussion on the preference between flow fields and electrode thickness in literatures and provide guidance for the selection of optimal flow field in VRFBs.

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Section: A Unified Interpretation To the Inconsistent Conclusion In P...supporting

confidence: 92%

Experimental Investigation on the Performance Characteristics of Flow Fields in Redox Flow Batteries Under Various Electrode Parameters

Duan

Zhang

et al. 2022

Front. Therm. Eng.

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“…31 However, the flow in an interdigitated flow field (IDFF) is complicated, and the geometry must be carefully designed to ensure enhanced velocities and flow distribution in order to realize the full potential of this type of flow field. [42][43][44] Further, in the process of modifying the surface of different carbon papers and cloths via a KOH treatment, Zhou et al observed differences in performance based on the electrode microstructure. 23,45,46 The authors attributed the improved performance in the woven electrodes to the broad pore size distribution, in particular the large, low tortuosity pores responsible for low pressure drop and high ionic conductivity.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Role of Electrode Microstructure on the Performance of Non-Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries

Forner‐Cuenca

Penn

Oliveira

et al. 2019

J. Electrochem. Soc.

132

259

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Redox flow batteries are an emerging technology for long-duration grid energy storage, but further cost reductions are needed to accelerate adoption. Improving electrode performance within the electrochemical stack offers a pathway to reduced system cost through decreased resistance and increased power density. To date, most research efforts have focused on modifying the surface chemistry of carbon electrodes to enhance reaction kinetics, electrochemically active surface area, and wettability. Less attention has been given to electrode microstructure, which has a significant impact on reactant distribution and pressure drop within the flow cell.Here, drawing from commonly used carbon-based diffusion media (paper, felt, cloth), we systematically investigate the influence of electrode microstructure on electrochemical performance. We employ a range of techniques to characterize the microstructure, pressure drop, and electrochemically active surface area in combination with in-operando diagnostics performed in a single electrolyte flow cell using a kinetically facile redox couple dissolved in a non-aqueous electrolyte. Of the materials tested, the cloth electrode shows the best performance; the highest current density at a set overpotential accompanied by the lowest hydraulic resistance. We hypothesize that the bimodal pore size distribution and periodic, well-defined microstructure of the cloth are key to lowering mass transport resistance.

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“…Importantly, the superficial velocity, vs, is used in this formulation, despite the multidimensional characteristics of the flow pathways evinced by the IDFF. [29][30][31][32] Consequently, κ provides a scalar property to compare across the different electrodes to assess structural relationship with advection. Full tensorial κ studies can be conducted for multidimensional electrode characterization to provide a more microscopically comprehensive treatment of fluid dynamic phenomena, but such investigations are beyond the scope of this contribution.…”

Section: Bulk Electrode Fluid Dynamics and Electrochemistrymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Fibrous Tows and Weave Pattern on Carbon Cloths as Electrodes in Redox Flow Batteries

Tenny

Chiang

Brushett

2022

Preprint

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The electrochemical and fluid dynamic performance of redox flow batteries is strongly influenced by the microstructure of the porous electrodes. Carbon cloths are a potential candidate whose hierarchical structure affects length scales associated with electrolyte flow; however, few studies have investigated the electrochemical behavior spanning from the fibrous tow to the bulk weave pattern. Here, we explore commercially activated weave patterns (plain, 8-harness satin, 2×2 basket) in an aqueous environment while quantifying reactive transport for individual tows and simulating fiber bundle electrochemical activity through multiphysics modeling. We then evaluate each woven electrode in a redox flow cell, measuring the pressure loss, polarization, and galvanostatic cycling behavior before comparing the mass-transfer relationships. We find the weave pattern strongly correlates with flow cell pressure drop, while the carbon fibers per tow influence electrochemistry and mass-transport scaling. Collectively, these results offer new insights into how advanced carbon cloths structures impact flow cell performance.

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Comparing velocities and pressures in redox flow batteries with interdigitated and serpentine channels

Cited by 25 publications

References 36 publications

Experimental Investigation on the Performance Characteristics of Flow Fields in Redox Flow Batteries Under Various Electrode Parameters

Experimental Investigation on the Performance Characteristics of Flow Fields in Redox Flow Batteries Under Various Electrode Parameters

Exploring the Role of Electrode Microstructure on the Performance of Non-Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries

The Effect of Fibrous Tows and Weave Pattern on Carbon Cloths as Electrodes in Redox Flow Batteries

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