CA1064103A - Apparatus for circulating electrolyte around multi-section batteries - Google Patents
Apparatus for circulating electrolyte around multi-section batteriesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1064103A CA1064103A CA260,966A CA260966A CA1064103A CA 1064103 A CA1064103 A CA 1064103A CA 260966 A CA260966 A CA 260966A CA 1064103 A CA1064103 A CA 1064103A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electrolyte
- stage
- battery
- pump
- circulating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 59
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 8
- JIAARYAFYJHUJI-UHFFFAOYSA-L zinc dichloride Chemical compound [Cl-].[Cl-].[Zn+2] JIAARYAFYJHUJI-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 8
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 4
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229960001939 zinc chloride Drugs 0.000 description 4
- 235000005074 zinc chloride Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000011592 zinc chloride Substances 0.000 description 4
- ICGLOTCMOYCOTB-UHFFFAOYSA-N [Cl].[Zn] Chemical compound [Cl].[Zn] ICGLOTCMOYCOTB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920002449 FKM Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002367 halogens Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000011244 liquid electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009972 noncorrosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/70—Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
- H01M50/77—Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte with external circulating path
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Hybrid Cells (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A two-stage electrolyte circulation system for a multi-cell battery in which a large pump distributes the electrolyte through hydraulically driven circulators to the individual cells.
A two-stage electrolyte circulation system for a multi-cell battery in which a large pump distributes the electrolyte through hydraulically driven circulators to the individual cells.
Description
~, ~o64~3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of Invention:
This invention relates to an apparatus for circu-lating and distributing an electrolyte through a multi-section battery.
.~ .
Description of the Prior Art:
Battery systems are well known which ultilize a ~- circulating electrolyte such as a metallic halogen; zinc-chloride, for example. Such a battery system is illustrated 10 in U. S. Patent No. 3,713,888 issued to the same assignee as the present invention. The electrolyte is generally pumped through the system and to electrodes at which an ionic ex-change occurs and a potential difference is created across the electrodes. This source of energy can be used to elec-trically power motor vehicles or serve as a standby power reserve and in many other situations where electrical energy is needed for long-term use.
There are three ma~or difficulties associated with circulating electrolyte around an electrochemical battery.
.,. ~
.. , _................................................................. ..
First, the electrolyte is usually highly corrosive! for ex-ample, in the zinc-chloride system the electrolyte is zinc chloride and is commonly circulated containing free and dissolved chlorine. Second, in multi-section batteries con-taining more than one cell, conductivity of the electrolyteis usually high enough so that electrical leakage from one cell to another occurs producing electric shorting circuits flowing in the electrolyte which substantially increase inter-cell power losses. In a zinc-chlorine battery operating at 250 volts, the single circulation path 1/2 inch in diameter and 12 inches lon~ bridging the entire battery cell structure has heen observed to result in a power loss of as much as 300 watts due to electrical leakage along the circulation path.
Because of the leakage problem from one cell to another, the design of circulation paths in electrochemical batteries has become a critical factor. Third, the circulation requi-ement for the electrolyte in the battery is usually for relatively - high flow rates at relatively low pressure drops. This re-quirement is conventionally met by relatively cumbersome pumping devices. In the zinc-chlorine system, chlorine is commonly delivered to the battery cells in solution in the zinc chloride electrolyte requiring that the battery cells be fed with electrolyte in parallel rather than in series.
A typical flow rate of 40 gallons per minute at a pressure drop of 2 pounds per square inch is used.
In conventional battery systems, particularly those designed for mobile use where space and weight are at a premium, the combination of the above difficulties leads . . ~ . . _ , 1064~03 to a number of unsatisfactory compromises between weight, volume, power efficiency and reliability. For example, the corrosive nature of the electrolyte requires that the use of mechanical seals and magnetic couplings be held to a minimum. The high-flow, low-pressure drop requirement leads to low speed, high torque electrolyte circulating devices which tend to be heavy, are cumbersome and rely on magnetic couplings and motors for their operation. The electrical leakage problem leads to subdividing the circulation system into a number of electrically isolated cells with the provision of a sequenced valve arrangement so that electrolyte only flows to one of the cells at a time, each cell being supplied with electrolyte in turn by sequenced opening of the valve. Such a cumbersome system is shown in British Patent No. 1,249,308. Furthermore, even compromising these difficulties, reduction in weight and size of the circulating system is only possible by sacrificing power efficiency.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The circulating system in accordance with the present invention provides a much better solution to the various problems associated with the design of a high-flow, multiple-section, circulating electrolyte battery system.
Broadly the invention contemplates an apparatus for cir-culating electrolyte in a multi-section battery having a plurality of electrically isolated cells comprising a pump means having an inlet and an outlet for forcing electrolyte through the cells of the battery, means between each of the individual cells of the battery and the outlet of the pump means for circulating the electro-lyte in a closed loop through each of the individual cells, and conduit means between each of the individual cells and the inlet to the pump means for recycling the electrolyte.
In particular, electrolyte is distributed in a two-stage system in which a large pump (first stage) distributes 106~103 the electrolyte through hydraulically driven circulators (second stage) to individual electrode compartments, which are electrically isolated from each other. This results in minimizing inter-cell leakage. No rotating mechanica] seals and only a single magnetic coupling is provided to circulate the electrolyte. This is achieved in the two-stage pumping system where an electric motor has the only magnetic coupling to drive the pump. The first stage large pump generates a relatively high-pressure, low flow rate of electrolyte fluid, but the second stage including the circulators which distri-bute the electrolyte to the individual cells, are designed to generate a relatively low-pressure, high-flow rate of the electrolyte. This conversion of relatively low-flow, rela-tively high-pressure to relatively high-flow, relatively low-pressure in the circulators feeding the individual cells allows for higher overall efficiency and power use. Further-more, the system lends itself to the pump and circulators being constructed of non-corrosive parts, mainly of poly-vinyl chloride or polypropylene, except where bearing sur-faces are required, and then these can be manufactured fromceramic and carbon. The connections of the various conduits can also be made of polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene witn Viton rubber gaskets for sealing the couplings.
Further advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following specification and claims, and from the accompanying drawings wherein:
, 1~64~1~3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustra~ion of a bat-tery system including the circulation system of the present invention; and FIGURE 2 is a side view in elevation of a portion of the system illustrated in FIGURE 1, with portions broken away to illustrate the interior eomponents of a seeond eir-eulator for distributing the eleetrolyte to eaeh individual cell of the system illustrated in FIGURE 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
. ~' Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIGURE 1 diagrammatieally illustrates a battery system in aeeordanee witn the present invention.
The battery system includes a battery 1 which is divided internally into four electrically isolated seetions or eells designated 2,. 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Cireulators 6, 7, 8 and 9 circulate electrolyte in a elosed loop through eells 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
Typieal eirculator 6 eirculates electrolyte through a eonduit 12 into eell 2, and baek out of the eell to the eirculator 6 through a eonduit 11. Cireulators 7, 8 and 9 1~64103 operate in an identical manner.
Electrolyte is pumped to each of the circulators 6, 7, 8 and 9 and through the entire system by a centrifugal pump 10 connected to each circulator 6, 7, 8 and 9 by a con-- 5 duit 19, 20, 21 and 22, respectively. Electrolyte is re-circulated from each of the cells to the pump 10 through conduits 23, 24, 25 and 26.
Considering battery section 2 as typical and as-suming that the entire system is full of liquid electrolyte, the operation of the battery system of FIGURE 1 is as follows:
pump 10 drives electrolyte through conduit 19 into circula-tor 6 at, for example, a pressure of 20 pounds per square inch at a rate of 2 gallons per minute. Within circulator 6, by means which are described in greater detail hereinafter, the flow of the electrolyte from pump 10 is substantially converted into flow of electrolyte circulating around the battery-flow-loop formed by circulator 6, outlet conduit 11, battery section 2, and inlet conduit 12 at about 10 gallons per minute with a pressure drop of about 2 pounds per square inch around the flow loop. The electrolyte being driven into circulator 6 and thence into battery section 2 by pump 10 will displace an equal volume of electrolyte from battery section 2 through conduit 24 and back to the inlet of pump 10.
Since the battery sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustra-ted in FIGURE 1 are electrically isolated one from another within the battery itself, electrical leakage between sections
Field of Invention:
This invention relates to an apparatus for circu-lating and distributing an electrolyte through a multi-section battery.
.~ .
Description of the Prior Art:
Battery systems are well known which ultilize a ~- circulating electrolyte such as a metallic halogen; zinc-chloride, for example. Such a battery system is illustrated 10 in U. S. Patent No. 3,713,888 issued to the same assignee as the present invention. The electrolyte is generally pumped through the system and to electrodes at which an ionic ex-change occurs and a potential difference is created across the electrodes. This source of energy can be used to elec-trically power motor vehicles or serve as a standby power reserve and in many other situations where electrical energy is needed for long-term use.
There are three ma~or difficulties associated with circulating electrolyte around an electrochemical battery.
.,. ~
.. , _................................................................. ..
First, the electrolyte is usually highly corrosive! for ex-ample, in the zinc-chloride system the electrolyte is zinc chloride and is commonly circulated containing free and dissolved chlorine. Second, in multi-section batteries con-taining more than one cell, conductivity of the electrolyteis usually high enough so that electrical leakage from one cell to another occurs producing electric shorting circuits flowing in the electrolyte which substantially increase inter-cell power losses. In a zinc-chlorine battery operating at 250 volts, the single circulation path 1/2 inch in diameter and 12 inches lon~ bridging the entire battery cell structure has heen observed to result in a power loss of as much as 300 watts due to electrical leakage along the circulation path.
Because of the leakage problem from one cell to another, the design of circulation paths in electrochemical batteries has become a critical factor. Third, the circulation requi-ement for the electrolyte in the battery is usually for relatively - high flow rates at relatively low pressure drops. This re-quirement is conventionally met by relatively cumbersome pumping devices. In the zinc-chlorine system, chlorine is commonly delivered to the battery cells in solution in the zinc chloride electrolyte requiring that the battery cells be fed with electrolyte in parallel rather than in series.
A typical flow rate of 40 gallons per minute at a pressure drop of 2 pounds per square inch is used.
In conventional battery systems, particularly those designed for mobile use where space and weight are at a premium, the combination of the above difficulties leads . . ~ . . _ , 1064~03 to a number of unsatisfactory compromises between weight, volume, power efficiency and reliability. For example, the corrosive nature of the electrolyte requires that the use of mechanical seals and magnetic couplings be held to a minimum. The high-flow, low-pressure drop requirement leads to low speed, high torque electrolyte circulating devices which tend to be heavy, are cumbersome and rely on magnetic couplings and motors for their operation. The electrical leakage problem leads to subdividing the circulation system into a number of electrically isolated cells with the provision of a sequenced valve arrangement so that electrolyte only flows to one of the cells at a time, each cell being supplied with electrolyte in turn by sequenced opening of the valve. Such a cumbersome system is shown in British Patent No. 1,249,308. Furthermore, even compromising these difficulties, reduction in weight and size of the circulating system is only possible by sacrificing power efficiency.
SUMM~RY OF THE INVENTION
The circulating system in accordance with the present invention provides a much better solution to the various problems associated with the design of a high-flow, multiple-section, circulating electrolyte battery system.
Broadly the invention contemplates an apparatus for cir-culating electrolyte in a multi-section battery having a plurality of electrically isolated cells comprising a pump means having an inlet and an outlet for forcing electrolyte through the cells of the battery, means between each of the individual cells of the battery and the outlet of the pump means for circulating the electro-lyte in a closed loop through each of the individual cells, and conduit means between each of the individual cells and the inlet to the pump means for recycling the electrolyte.
In particular, electrolyte is distributed in a two-stage system in which a large pump (first stage) distributes 106~103 the electrolyte through hydraulically driven circulators (second stage) to individual electrode compartments, which are electrically isolated from each other. This results in minimizing inter-cell leakage. No rotating mechanica] seals and only a single magnetic coupling is provided to circulate the electrolyte. This is achieved in the two-stage pumping system where an electric motor has the only magnetic coupling to drive the pump. The first stage large pump generates a relatively high-pressure, low flow rate of electrolyte fluid, but the second stage including the circulators which distri-bute the electrolyte to the individual cells, are designed to generate a relatively low-pressure, high-flow rate of the electrolyte. This conversion of relatively low-flow, rela-tively high-pressure to relatively high-flow, relatively low-pressure in the circulators feeding the individual cells allows for higher overall efficiency and power use. Further-more, the system lends itself to the pump and circulators being constructed of non-corrosive parts, mainly of poly-vinyl chloride or polypropylene, except where bearing sur-faces are required, and then these can be manufactured fromceramic and carbon. The connections of the various conduits can also be made of polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene witn Viton rubber gaskets for sealing the couplings.
Further advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following specification and claims, and from the accompanying drawings wherein:
, 1~64~1~3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustra~ion of a bat-tery system including the circulation system of the present invention; and FIGURE 2 is a side view in elevation of a portion of the system illustrated in FIGURE 1, with portions broken away to illustrate the interior eomponents of a seeond eir-eulator for distributing the eleetrolyte to eaeh individual cell of the system illustrated in FIGURE 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
. ~' Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIGURE 1 diagrammatieally illustrates a battery system in aeeordanee witn the present invention.
The battery system includes a battery 1 which is divided internally into four electrically isolated seetions or eells designated 2,. 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Cireulators 6, 7, 8 and 9 circulate electrolyte in a elosed loop through eells 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively.
Typieal eirculator 6 eirculates electrolyte through a eonduit 12 into eell 2, and baek out of the eell to the eirculator 6 through a eonduit 11. Cireulators 7, 8 and 9 1~64103 operate in an identical manner.
Electrolyte is pumped to each of the circulators 6, 7, 8 and 9 and through the entire system by a centrifugal pump 10 connected to each circulator 6, 7, 8 and 9 by a con-- 5 duit 19, 20, 21 and 22, respectively. Electrolyte is re-circulated from each of the cells to the pump 10 through conduits 23, 24, 25 and 26.
Considering battery section 2 as typical and as-suming that the entire system is full of liquid electrolyte, the operation of the battery system of FIGURE 1 is as follows:
pump 10 drives electrolyte through conduit 19 into circula-tor 6 at, for example, a pressure of 20 pounds per square inch at a rate of 2 gallons per minute. Within circulator 6, by means which are described in greater detail hereinafter, the flow of the electrolyte from pump 10 is substantially converted into flow of electrolyte circulating around the battery-flow-loop formed by circulator 6, outlet conduit 11, battery section 2, and inlet conduit 12 at about 10 gallons per minute with a pressure drop of about 2 pounds per square inch around the flow loop. The electrolyte being driven into circulator 6 and thence into battery section 2 by pump 10 will displace an equal volume of electrolyte from battery section 2 through conduit 24 and back to the inlet of pump 10.
Since the battery sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustra-ted in FIGURE 1 are electrically isolated one from another within the battery itself, electrical leakage between sections
2, 3, 4 and 5 is confined to leakage through the electrolyte ~ .. . . r-within conduits 19, 20, 21 and 22 which have a common origin at pump 10 and the conduits 23, 24, 25 and 26 which all meet back at the inlet to pump 10.
FIGURE 2 illustrates a working embodiment of the pump 10 with the typical circulator 6. Pump 10 is a conven-tional type centrifugal pump which is mangetically coupled by`a conventional coupling 31 to an electric motor 32.
Circulator.6 includes a housing 40 having an outlet conduit 12 and an inlet conduit 11 adapted to be connected to one of the electrically isolated cells of the battery.
Conduit l9.connects the outlet of pump 10 to the inlet 39 of housing 40. A hollow stationary shaft 41 is positioned : within housing 40 in line with conduit 19 to provide elec-- trolyte 51 to the interior of the housing. An impeller 42 has its hub rotatably mounted about shaft 41 between station-ary end bearings 43 and 44.
The impeller 42 includes a plurality of curved vanes 45 radially extending from its hub. Each vane 45 includes a passageway 46 which extends radially outward from shaft 41 and then downwardly opening into the interior of the housing 40. Each passageway 46 is in line with an open-ing 47 formed through '.he wall of hollow shaft 41 thereby communicating with the interior of the hollow shaft.
In a zinc-chlorine battery system where corrosion problems are severe, pump 10 and circulator 6 are formed of polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene except for the bearing surfaces, which are either ceramic or carbon. Conduits 11, 12 and 19 and their associated fittings are also made of 10641~3 - polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene with Viton rubber gas-kets for sealing the couplings.
The operation of the assembly illustrated in FIGURE 2, is as follows:
Electrolyte 51returning from the battery through a typical conduit 23 enters centrifugal pump 10 and is centri-fugally impelled at a pressure of about 20 pounds per square inch into and along conduit 19, and thence through inlet 39 of housing 40 of circulator 6. Electrolyte 51 is forced through hollow shaft 41, out holes 47, and into the passage-ways 46 in each of the vanes 45 of the impeller 42. Upon leaving the impeller and entering the interior of housing 40, the issuing jet of electrolyte 51 from each of vanes 45 causes a force to be exerted on the curved vane surfaces to rotate it in the electrolyte 51 within the housing 40.
This will cause rotation of impeller 42 and vanes 45, between the stationary bearings 43 and 44, at a rate sufficien. to circulate the electrolyte 51 around the battery flow-loop formed by circulator 6, the battery cell and the conduits 11 and 12 at a flow rate of about 10 gallons per minute with a pressure drop of about two pounds per square inch around this loop.
In a typical situation wherein a battery system was constructed using 8 circulators and a pump with inter-connecting conduits as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the systemweighed 50 pounds and occupied 1200 cubic inches and had an overall power efficiency of 40%. In contrast, a comparable conventional system around the same eight section battery 1064~03 has the following typical specifications: 3 mechanical seals or magnetic couplings, weight of about 100 pounds occupying 2000 cubic inches and an overall power efficiency of 25%.
_9_ .,,, .. , . , ,_, .. . . ...
FIGURE 2 illustrates a working embodiment of the pump 10 with the typical circulator 6. Pump 10 is a conven-tional type centrifugal pump which is mangetically coupled by`a conventional coupling 31 to an electric motor 32.
Circulator.6 includes a housing 40 having an outlet conduit 12 and an inlet conduit 11 adapted to be connected to one of the electrically isolated cells of the battery.
Conduit l9.connects the outlet of pump 10 to the inlet 39 of housing 40. A hollow stationary shaft 41 is positioned : within housing 40 in line with conduit 19 to provide elec-- trolyte 51 to the interior of the housing. An impeller 42 has its hub rotatably mounted about shaft 41 between station-ary end bearings 43 and 44.
The impeller 42 includes a plurality of curved vanes 45 radially extending from its hub. Each vane 45 includes a passageway 46 which extends radially outward from shaft 41 and then downwardly opening into the interior of the housing 40. Each passageway 46 is in line with an open-ing 47 formed through '.he wall of hollow shaft 41 thereby communicating with the interior of the hollow shaft.
In a zinc-chlorine battery system where corrosion problems are severe, pump 10 and circulator 6 are formed of polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene except for the bearing surfaces, which are either ceramic or carbon. Conduits 11, 12 and 19 and their associated fittings are also made of 10641~3 - polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene with Viton rubber gas-kets for sealing the couplings.
The operation of the assembly illustrated in FIGURE 2, is as follows:
Electrolyte 51returning from the battery through a typical conduit 23 enters centrifugal pump 10 and is centri-fugally impelled at a pressure of about 20 pounds per square inch into and along conduit 19, and thence through inlet 39 of housing 40 of circulator 6. Electrolyte 51 is forced through hollow shaft 41, out holes 47, and into the passage-ways 46 in each of the vanes 45 of the impeller 42. Upon leaving the impeller and entering the interior of housing 40, the issuing jet of electrolyte 51 from each of vanes 45 causes a force to be exerted on the curved vane surfaces to rotate it in the electrolyte 51 within the housing 40.
This will cause rotation of impeller 42 and vanes 45, between the stationary bearings 43 and 44, at a rate sufficien. to circulate the electrolyte 51 around the battery flow-loop formed by circulator 6, the battery cell and the conduits 11 and 12 at a flow rate of about 10 gallons per minute with a pressure drop of about two pounds per square inch around this loop.
In a typical situation wherein a battery system was constructed using 8 circulators and a pump with inter-connecting conduits as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the systemweighed 50 pounds and occupied 1200 cubic inches and had an overall power efficiency of 40%. In contrast, a comparable conventional system around the same eight section battery 1064~03 has the following typical specifications: 3 mechanical seals or magnetic couplings, weight of about 100 pounds occupying 2000 cubic inches and an overall power efficiency of 25%.
_9_ .,,, .. , . , ,_, .. . . ...
Claims (7)
1. An apparatus for circulating electrolyte in a multisection battery having a plurality of electrically isolated cells comprising:
a plurality of electrically isolated cells, pump means having an inlet and an outlet for forcing electrolyte through the cells of said battery, means between each of the individual cells of said battery and the outlet of said pump means for circulating said electrolyte in a closed loop through each of said individual cells, conduit means between the outlet of said pump means and said circulating means, and conduit means between each of said individual cells and the inlet to said pump means for recycling said electrolyte.
a plurality of electrically isolated cells, pump means having an inlet and an outlet for forcing electrolyte through the cells of said battery, means between each of the individual cells of said battery and the outlet of said pump means for circulating said electrolyte in a closed loop through each of said individual cells, conduit means between the outlet of said pump means and said circulating means, and conduit means between each of said individual cells and the inlet to said pump means for recycling said electrolyte.
2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said closed loop includes said circulating means, a cell of said battery, and conduit means extending between said cell and said circulating means.
3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said circulating means includes a housing having an electrolyte inlet a hollow shaft in communication with said inlet an impeller rotatably mounted in said housing on said hollow shaft, said impeller including
3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said circulating means includes a housing having an electrolyte inlet a hollow shaft in communication with said inlet an impeller rotatably mounted in said housing on said hollow shaft, said impeller including
Claim 3 (cont'd.) a hub mounted for rotation on said hollow shaft, a plurality of vanes extending radially from said hub, an electrolyte passage in each of said vanes com-municating with the interior of said hollow shafts, and an electrolyte outlet, whereby electrolyte forced into said housing through said inlet will enter said hollow shaft and will flow through said electrolyte passageways in said vanes to cause rotation of said vanes to force electrolyte within said housing out said outlet.
4. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 1 wherein said pump means is a two-stage pumping means, the first stage comprising a means for generating a relatively high pressure, low flow-rate of fluids to the second stage, the second stage comprising a means for generating a relatively low pressure, high flow rate of fluids to said battery, said second stage being hydraulically driven by said first stage.
5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pump means is a two-stage pumping means, the first stage comprising a means for generating a relatively high pressure, low flow-rate of fluids to the second stage, the second stage comprising a means for generating a relatively low pressure, high flow rate of fluids to said battery, said second stage being hydraulically driven by said first stage.
6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said pump means is a two-stage pumping means, the first stage comprising a means for generating a relatively high pressure, low flow-rate of fluids to the second stage, the second stage comprising a means for generating a relatively low pressure, high flow rate of fluids to said battery, said second stage being hydraulically driven by said first stage.
7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, 5, or 6, wherein said first stage pumping means comprises an electrolyte pump, and said second stage pumping means comprises an electrolyte circulator fed electrolyte by said pump and hydraulically driven by said electrolyte to force said electrolyte to said battery.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/626,792 US4025697A (en) | 1975-10-29 | 1975-10-29 | Apparatus for circulating electrolyte around multi-section batteries |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1064103A true CA1064103A (en) | 1979-10-09 |
Family
ID=24511871
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA260,966A Expired CA1064103A (en) | 1975-10-29 | 1976-09-10 | Apparatus for circulating electrolyte around multi-section batteries |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4025697A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1064103A (en) |
Families Citing this family (23)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4200684A (en) * | 1978-11-24 | 1980-04-29 | P. R. Mallory & Co. Inc. | High rate discharge primary battery |
| US4312735A (en) * | 1979-11-26 | 1982-01-26 | Exxon Research & Engineering Co. | Shunt current elimination |
| US4277317A (en) * | 1979-11-26 | 1981-07-07 | Exxon Research & Engineering Co. | Shunt current elimination and device employing tunneled protective current |
| US4371825A (en) * | 1981-06-04 | 1983-02-01 | Energy Development Associates, Inc. | Method of minimizing the effects of parasitic currents |
| US4518663A (en) * | 1983-07-01 | 1985-05-21 | Energy Development Associates, Inc. | Electrolyte circulation subsystem |
| FR2681612B1 (en) * | 1991-09-20 | 1993-11-05 | Icbt | IMPROVED MACHINE FOR CONTINUOUSLY CONDUCTING TWISTING AND ADDITIONAL TEXTURING TREATMENT ON A CHEMICAL WIRE. |
| JPH06140062A (en) * | 1992-10-21 | 1994-05-20 | Agency Of Ind Science & Technol | Circulating solution type battery |
| EP1500153B1 (en) * | 2002-04-16 | 2011-10-05 | Philadelphia Scientific | Improved electrolyte mixing in wet cell batteries |
| US20090239131A1 (en) | 2007-01-16 | 2009-09-24 | Richard Otto Winter | Electrochemical energy cell system |
| US8114541B2 (en) | 2007-01-16 | 2012-02-14 | Primus Power Corporation | Electrochemical energy generation system |
| EP2130244B1 (en) * | 2007-03-28 | 2014-12-03 | RedFlow R&D Pty Ltd | Cell stack for a flowing electrolyte battery |
| US8273472B2 (en) * | 2010-02-12 | 2012-09-25 | Primus Power Corporation | Shunt current interruption in electrochemical energy generation system |
| US8450001B2 (en) | 2010-09-08 | 2013-05-28 | Primus Power Corporation | Flow batter with radial electrolyte distribution |
| US8202641B2 (en) * | 2010-09-08 | 2012-06-19 | Primus Power Corporation | Metal electrode assembly for flow batteries |
| DE102011075172A1 (en) * | 2011-05-03 | 2012-11-08 | Krones Aktiengesellschaft | Sealing water system |
| US9478803B2 (en) | 2011-06-27 | 2016-10-25 | Primus Power Corporation | Electrolyte flow configuration for a metal-halogen flow battery |
| US8137831B1 (en) | 2011-06-27 | 2012-03-20 | Primus Power Corporation | Electrolyte flow configuration for a metal-halogen flow battery |
| US9130217B2 (en) | 2012-04-06 | 2015-09-08 | Primus Power Corporation | Fluidic architecture for metal-halogen flow battery |
| US8968948B2 (en) * | 2012-05-22 | 2015-03-03 | Concurrent Technologies Corporation | Energy generation system and related uses thereof |
| US9520608B2 (en) | 2012-05-22 | 2016-12-13 | Concurrent Technologies Corporation | Energy generation system and related uses thereof |
| US8928327B2 (en) | 2012-11-20 | 2015-01-06 | Primus Power Corporation | Mass distribution indication of flow battery state of charge |
| US9490496B2 (en) | 2013-03-08 | 2016-11-08 | Primus Power Corporation | Reservoir for multiphase electrolyte flow control |
| US10290891B2 (en) | 2016-01-29 | 2019-05-14 | Primus Power Corporation | Metal-halogen flow battery bipolar electrode assembly, system, and method |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS4414729Y1 (en) * | 1966-09-19 | 1969-06-24 | ||
| US3713888A (en) * | 1970-06-26 | 1973-01-30 | Oxy Metal Finishing Corp | Process for electrical energy using solid halogen hydrates |
| FR2106977A5 (en) * | 1970-09-30 | 1972-05-05 | Alsthom |
-
1975
- 1975-10-29 US US05/626,792 patent/US4025697A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1976
- 1976-09-10 CA CA260,966A patent/CA1064103A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4025697A (en) | 1977-05-24 |
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