CN210576229U

CN210576229U - Flow battery stack and heat insulation plate thereof

Info

Publication number: CN210576229U
Application number: CN201922061926.2U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李晓蒙; 马志啟; 宗军
Original assignee: State Power Investment Group Science and Technology Research Institute Co Ltd
Current assignee: Beijing Herui Energy Storage Technology Co.,Ltd.
Priority date: 2019-11-25
Filing date: 2019-11-25
Publication date: 2020-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2029-11-25

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flow battery pile and heated board thereof, flow battery pile includes: the battery pack comprises a first battery unit, a second battery unit, a first current collecting plate, a first insulating plate, a first heat preservation plate and a first end plate; the second collector plate, the second insulation plate and the second end plate; a first flow channel and a second flow channel which are arranged at intervals and extend in a roundabout manner are formed on the surface of one side of the first heat-preservation plate, and a first outlet of the first flow channel and a second outlet of the second flow channel are communicated with the plurality of battery units; and a third runner and a fourth runner which are arranged at intervals and extend in a roundabout manner are formed on the surface of one side of the second insulation board, and a third inlet of the third runner and a fourth inlet of the fourth runner are communicated with the plurality of battery units. According to the utility model discloses a redox flow battery pile can utilize first heated board and second heated board to keep warm to first battery cell and second battery cell respectively, solves the inconsistent problem of a plurality of battery cell performance.

Description

Flow battery stack and heat insulation plate thereof

Technical Field

The utility model belongs to the technical field of the flow battery technique and specifically relates to a flow battery piles and is used for heated board of flow battery pile.

Background

Electric energy plays a vital powerful role in our lives. The traditional power generation mode continuously consumes non-renewable natural energy sources (petroleum and coal) for a short time, and a large amount of waste and gas polluting the environment are generated in the power generation process. Energy crisis and environmental pressures have driven traditional energy systems to be transformed into renewable energy sources. With the application of energy sources such as wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy and the like, the research and the application of a novel energy storage system are promoted.

At present, the high-capacity energy storage technology mainly comprises mechanical energy storage, electromagnetic energy storage, heat storage, electrochemical energy storage and the like. Among them, the electrochemical energy storage technology is concerned about due to its advantages of short response time, large energy density, flexibility and convenience, etc., and the flow battery is an important component.

The iron-chromium redox flow battery is one of flow batteries, and has the advantages of long service life, high energy conversion efficiency, good safety, environmental friendliness and the like.

The active material of the ferrochrome flow battery is a liquid electrolyte solution with fluidity, which is stored outside and delivered into the battery by a pump for reaction. The electrolyte of positive and negative poles in the battery is separated by ion exchange membrane, and active substance ion in the electrolyte generates valence state change on the surface of inert electrode in the charging and discharging process. When the iron-chromium flow battery works, reactants flow through the electrode and undergo the following oxidation-reduction reaction:

in the Fe/Cr flow battery stack in the related technology, the flow equalizing grooves for the electrolyte to flow are arranged on the flow frame, so that the fluid can be uniformly distributed as much as possible. The related technology also provides a flow frame for the flow battery and a monocell thereof, which can be used within 70 ℃, and the flow frame of the utility model can be used for a ferro-chromium system battery stack. The flow frame is also provided with a main runner and a branch runner in the frame, the main runner is provided with an annular splitter box, and the design plays a certain role in preventing the solution in the flow battery from flowing in series.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model discloses based on this application utility model people make to the discovery of following reality and problem:

the iron-chromium flow battery stack is composed of a plurality of groups of single batteries, and the performance stability and consistency of each group of single batteries are key indexes for determining the energy efficiency of a battery system. Unlike other flow batteries, the optimal operating temperature of the ferrochrome flow battery is 60-70 ℃, so that the electrolyte needs to be heated externally and then flows into a battery stack. If the first group of battery units and the last group of battery units in the battery stack are directly contacted with the insulating plate, the heat loss of the two groups of battery units is far larger than that of other battery units, so that the working temperature of each group of single batteries is influenced, and the overall performance of the battery stack is influenced.

The utility model discloses aim at solving one of the technical problem that exists among the prior art at least. To this end, the present invention provides a flow battery stack, which can maintain the temperature of each battery cell at an optimal operating temperature, thereby ensuring the consistency and stability of the operation of each battery cell.

The utility model also provides an heated board that has and is used for above-mentioned flow cell to pile.

According to the utility model discloses flow battery stack of first aspect includes: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a stack in a first direction, the plurality of battery cells including at least a first battery cell and a second battery cell at both ends of the first direction, respectively; the first current collecting plate, the first insulating plate, the first heat preservation plate and the first end plate are sequentially arranged on the outer side of the first battery unit from inside to outside along the first direction; the second collector plate, the second insulation plate and the second end plate are sequentially arranged on the outer side of the second battery unit from inside to outside along the first direction; the first heat preservation plate is provided with a first flow channel and a second flow channel which are arranged at intervals and extend in a winding way on one side surface facing the plurality of battery units, and a first outlet of the first flow channel and a second outlet of the second flow channel are communicated with the plurality of battery units; and a third flow channel and a fourth flow channel which are arranged at intervals and extend in a roundabout manner are formed on the surface of one side, facing the plurality of battery units, of the second insulation board, and a third inlet of the third flow channel and a fourth inlet of the fourth flow channel are communicated with the plurality of battery units.

According to the utility model discloses a redox flow battery pile sets up first heated board through the outside at first insulation board to set up the second heated board in the outside of second insulation board, from this, can utilize first heated board and second heated board to keep warm to first battery cell and second battery cell respectively, in order to guarantee that first battery cell and second battery cell are at normal operating temperature, thereby solve the inconsistent problem of a plurality of battery cell performance.

In some embodiments, a seal groove is disposed on the first heat-insulating plate, the seal groove extends around the first flow passage and the second flow passage, and/or the seal groove is disposed between the first flow passage and the second flow passage.

In some embodiments, the first inlet of the first flow channel is formed on one side end surface of the first heat-insulating plate perpendicular to the first direction, the second inlet of the second flow channel is formed on one side end surface of the first heat-insulating plate perpendicular to the first direction, and the first inlet and the second inlet are located on the same side end surface of the first heat-insulating plate.

In some embodiments, the first outlet and the second outlet are arranged side by side, and both the first outlet and the second outlet are formed as a concave elliptical groove in a side surface of the first heat-insulating plate facing the plurality of battery cells.

In some embodiments, the first flow channel comprises a plurality of first sub-flow channels connected in parallel between the first inlet and the first outlet of the first flow channel, the second flow channel comprises a plurality of second sub-flow channels connected in parallel between the second inlet and the second outlet of the second flow channel, at least portions of the plurality of first sub-flow channels extend in parallel, and at least portions of the plurality of second sub-flow channels extend in parallel.

In some embodiments, the second thermal insulation plate is centrally symmetric about the flow cell stack with the first thermal insulation plate.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of battery cells includes a positive plate frame, a bipolar plate, a sealing gasket, an ionic membrane, an electrode, and a negative plate frame sequentially arranged along a first direction, and a positive electrolyte channel and a negative electrolyte channel spaced apart from each other are formed in each of the plurality of battery cells, wherein an inlet of the positive electrolyte channel and an inlet of the negative electrolyte channel are respectively opposite to and communicated with the first outlet and the second outlet, and an outlet of the positive electrolyte channel and an outlet of the negative electrolyte channel are respectively opposite to and communicated with the third inlet and the fourth inlet.

In some embodiments, the gasket is an ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber or a viton rubber.

In some embodiments, a surface of the first insulating plate facing the plurality of battery cells is formed with a first groove, the first current collecting plate is embedded in the first groove, and a surface of the first current collecting plate is flush with a surface of the first insulating plate; the negative plate frame of the second battery unit faces one side surface of the second insulating plate, a second groove is formed in the surface of the negative plate frame of the second battery unit, the second current collecting plate is embedded into the second groove, and the surface of the second current collecting plate is flush with the surface of the negative plate frame of the second battery unit.

In some embodiments, the first current collecting plate and the second current collecting plate each include: the battery comprises a copper plate used for collecting and guiding current and a graphite bipolar plate used as a bipolar plate in a first battery unit or a second battery unit, wherein the copper plate and the graphite bipolar plate are integrally formed through hot pressing, and the graphite bipolar plate is positioned on the side facing the battery units.

In some embodiments, the first end plate and the second end plate are each provided with bolt holes for interconnection.

In some embodiments, the first insulating plate has a first shared liquid through hole and a second shared liquid through hole formed therethrough and opposed to the first outlet and the second outlet, respectively, and the second insulating plate has a third shared liquid through hole and a fourth shared liquid through hole formed therethrough and opposed to the third inlet and the fourth inlet, respectively.

In some embodiments, the flow cell stack is a ferro-chromium flow cell stack.

According to the utility model discloses a heated board for flow cell stack of second aspect, a side surface along the thickness direction of heated board is formed with spaced apart first runner and second runner, first runner has first entry and first export, first runner be in circuitous extension between first entry with first export, the second runner has second entry and second export, the second runner be in circuitous extension between second entry with the second export.

According to the utility model discloses a heated board for redox flow battery pile when the heated electrolyte flows through the heated board, can play the heat preservation effect to rather than adjacent battery cell (for example be located the first battery cell and the second battery cell at a plurality of battery cell both ends) to solve the inconsistent problem of battery cell performance among the prior art.

In some embodiments, a seal groove is disposed between the first flow passage and the second flow passage, the seal groove extending around the first flow passage and the second flow passage, and/or the seal groove is disposed between the first flow passage and the second flow passage.

In some embodiments, the first flow passage comprises a plurality of first sub-flow passages connected in parallel between the first inlet and the first outlet, and the second flow passage comprises a plurality of second sub-flow passages connected in parallel between the second inlet and the second outlet.

In some embodiments, the insulation board is a fiberglass piece or a perchloroethylene piece.

Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an insulation board for a flow cell stack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is an exploded view of a flow cell stack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is an exploded view of the battery cell shown in fig. 2;

fig. 4 is a schematic view of the second insulating plate shown in fig. 2.

Reference numerals:

a flow cell stack 100 is provided that includes,

a battery unit 1, a first battery unit 1a, a second battery unit 1b,

a positive plate frame 11, a bipolar plate 12, a sealing gasket 13, an ionic membrane 14, an electrode 15, a negative plate frame 16,

first current collecting plate 21, second current collecting plate 22, first insulating plate 31, second insulating plate 32, first end plate 51, second end plate 52,

a heat insulation plate 4, a first heat insulation plate 4a, a second heat insulation plate 4b, a sealing groove 43,

a first flow channel 41, a first inlet 411, a first outlet 412, a first sub-flow channel 413,

a second flow passage 42, a second inlet 421, a second outlet 422, and a second sub-flow passage 423.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar function throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and intended to be used for explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

A flow cell stack 100 according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention is described below with reference to fig. 1-4. The flow cell stack 100 of the embodiment of the present invention may be an iron-chromium flow cell stack, and the following description only describes that the flow cell stack 100 is an iron-chromium flow cell stack, and after reading the following technical solutions, a person skilled in the art can obviously understand that the flow cell stack 100 is a technical solution of other flow cell stacks, and details are not repeated here.

As shown in fig. 2, a flow cell stack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: the battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells 1, a first current collecting plate 21, a second current collecting plate 22, a first insulating plate 31, a second insulating plate 32, a first heat insulating plate 4a, a second heat insulating plate 4b, a first end plate 51, and a second end plate 52.

Specifically, the plurality of battery cells 1 may be two, three, four, and more battery cells 1, and the plurality of battery cells 1 are arranged in a stack in a first direction (e.g., the front-rear direction shown in fig. 2). The plurality of battery units 1 at least comprise a first battery unit 1a and a second battery unit 1b which are respectively positioned at two ends in a first direction; that is, the plurality of battery cells 1 includes a first battery cell 1a and a second battery cell 1b, and the first battery cell 1a and the second battery cell 1b are respectively located at both ends of the plurality of battery cells 1 (e.g., the front end and the rear end of the plurality of battery cells 1 in fig. 2).

Further, the first current collecting plate 21, the first insulating plate 31, the first heat insulating plate 4a, and the first end plate 51 may be arranged in this order from the inside to the outside in the first direction (e.g., the front-to-back direction shown in fig. 2) of the first battery cell 1a (e.g., the back side of the first battery cell 1a shown in fig. 2). The second current collecting plate 22, the second insulating plate 32, the second heat insulating plate 4b, and the second end plate 52 may be sequentially arranged outside the second battery cell 1b (e.g., the front side inside the second battery cell 1b shown in fig. 2) from the inside to the outside in the first direction (e.g., the rear-to-front direction shown in fig. 2).

Wherein, a first flow channel 41 and a second flow channel 42 which are arranged at intervals and extend in a winding way are formed on one side surface of the first heat preservation plate 4a facing the plurality of battery units 1, and the first outlet 412 of the first flow channel 41 and the second outlet 422 of the second flow channel 42 are communicated with the plurality of battery units 1. That is, the first heat insulating plate 4a is formed at one side surface thereof with a first flow path 41 and a second flow path 42, the first flow path 41 and the second flow path 42 are arranged at intervals, and the first flow path 41 and the second flow path 42 each extend roundly on the first heat insulating plate 4a, the first flow path 41 has a first inlet 411 and a first outlet 412, the second flow path 42 has a second inlet 421 and a second outlet 422, and the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422 each communicate with the plurality of battery cells 1.

During operation of the flow cell stack 100, the anolyte and the catholyte may enter the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 from the first inlet 411 and the second inlet 421, respectively, and then enter each of the battery cells 1 through the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422, respectively, to complete charging and discharging processes within each of the battery cells 1.

Here, since the first insulating plate 31 is located between the first battery cell 1a and the first heat insulating plate 4a, when the electrolyte flows in the first heat insulating plate 4a, the temperature of the first heat insulating plate 4a and the temperature of the electrolyte may be made to coincide, and thus the temperature of the first insulating plate 31 in contact with the first battery cell 1a and the temperature of the electrolyte may be made to coincide. Therefore, heat loss of the first battery unit 1a due to temperature difference with the first insulating plate 31 can be effectively avoided, so that the working temperature of the first battery unit 1a is ensured, and the overall performance of the flow battery stack 100 is ensured.

A third flow channel and a fourth flow channel which are arranged at intervals and extend in a roundabout manner are formed on the surface of one side, facing the plurality of battery units 1, of the second heat insulation plate 4b, and a third inlet of the third flow channel and a fourth inlet of the fourth flow channel are communicated with the plurality of battery units 1. That is to say, a third flow channel and a fourth flow channel are formed on one side surface of the second heat insulation board 4b, the third flow channel and the fourth flow channel are arranged at intervals, and the third flow channel and the fourth flow channel both extend on the second heat insulation board 4b in a roundabout manner, wherein the third flow channel has a third inlet and a third outlet, the fourth flow channel has a fourth inlet and a fourth outlet, and the third inlet and the fourth inlet are both communicated with the plurality of battery units 1.

In the operation process of the flow cell stack 100, the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte completing the charging and discharging processes in the plurality of battery cells 1 may respectively enter the third flow channel and the fourth flow channel of the second heat-insulating plate 4b from the third inlet and the fourth inlet, and then flow out of the flow cell stack 100 through the third outlet and the fourth outlet. Wherein, because second insulation board 32 is located between second battery unit 1b and second heated board 4b, when electrolyte flowed in second heated board 4b, can the temperature of second heated board 4b and electrolyte temperature tend to unanimously, and then make the temperature of second insulation board 32 and the electrolyte temperature of second battery unit 1b contact tend to unanimously. Therefore, the heat loss of the second battery unit 1b caused by the temperature difference between the second battery unit and the second insulating plate 32 can be effectively avoided, so that the working temperature of the second battery unit 1b is ensured, and the overall performance of the flow battery stack 100 is ensured.

That is, when the heated electrolyte flows through the flow channels of the first and second heat-insulating

plates

4a and 4b, a heat-insulating effect is exerted on the first and second battery cells 1a and 1 b. Because the electrolyte is circularly heated, the temperature of the heat-insulating plate 4 can be kept constant, and thus, the temperature difference of the fluid entering each group of battery units 1 is small (for example, the temperature difference can be controlled within +/-5 ℃), so that the performance consistency and stability among the battery units 1 are improved, the energy efficiency of the battery is improved, and the cost of a battery system is reduced.

According to the utility model discloses redox flow battery stack 100, through setting up first heated board 4a in the outside of first insulation board 31 to set up second heated board 4b in the outside of second insulation board 32, from this, can utilize first heated board 4a and second heated board 4b to keep warm to first battery unit 1a and second battery unit 1b respectively, in order to guarantee that first battery unit 1a and second battery unit 1b are at normal operating temperature, thereby solve the inconsistent problem of a plurality of battery unit 1 performances.

Wherein, the utility model discloses each part of liquid flow battery stack 100 can carry out the pressure equipment through the press, and reuse high strength bolt and spring pack the battery stack together.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, a sealing groove 43 may be disposed on the first heat insulation plate 4a, the sealing groove 43 may be disposed between the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42, and a sealing gasket may be disposed in the sealing groove 43, so that the electrolyte in the first flow channel 41 and the electrolyte in the second flow channel 42 may be isolated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, referring to fig. 1, a sealing groove 43 may be disposed on the first heat insulation plate 4a, and the sealing groove 43 may extend around the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42, wherein "the sealing groove 43 surrounds the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42", that is, the sealing groove 43 surrounds the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 respectively, and that the sealing groove 43 surrounds the outer sides of the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42. The seal groove 43 may be provided with a gasket, thereby providing an effect of sealing the electrolytes in the first and

second flow channels

41 and 42 and preventing the electrolytes in the first and

second flow channels

41 and 42 from leaking.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, the first inlet 411 of the first flow channel 41 may be formed on a side end surface (e.g., a left end surface of the first heat insulation plate 4a shown in fig. 1) of the first heat insulation plate 4a perpendicular to the first direction, and the second inlet 421 of the second flow channel 42 may be formed on a side end surface (e.g., a left end surface of the first heat insulation plate 4a shown in fig. 1) of the first heat insulation plate 4a perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, it is possible to facilitate the connection of the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 to the external electrolyte piping without affecting the fitting of the first end plate 51 and the first insulating plate 31 to the first heat insulating plate 4 a.

Further, as shown in fig. 1, the first inlet 411 and the second inlet 421 are located on the same side end surface of the first heat retaining plate 4 a. Therefore, the pipe distribution is convenient, and the structure is compact.

Further, as shown in fig. 1, the first inlet 411 and the second inlet 421 are both provided with a connecting flange, and the connecting flange is used for being connected with the electrolyte pipeline, wherein a sealing gasket is arranged between the connecting flange and the electrolyte pipeline to ensure the sealing performance of the connection and prevent the electrolyte from leaking.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422 may be arranged side by side, and the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422 may be formed as a concave elliptical groove in a side surface of the first heat insulating plate 4a facing the plurality of battery cells 1. That is, the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422 are both formed on the same side surface where the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 are located, and the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422 are both formed as oval-shaped outlet grooves. Thereby, it is possible to facilitate the electrolyte in the first insulating plate 4a to enter the plurality of battery cells 1 through the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, the first flow channel 41 may include a plurality of first sub-flow channels 413 connected in parallel between the first inlet 411 and the first outlet 412 of the first flow channel 41, the second flow channel 42 may include a plurality of second sub-flow channels 423 connected in parallel between the second inlet 421 and the second outlet 422 of the second flow channel 42, that is, the first flow channel 41 has a first inlet 411 and a first outlet 412, and the first flow channel 41 has a plurality of first sub-flow channels 413 connected in parallel between the first inlet 411 and the first outlet 412, the second flow channel 42 has a second inlet 421 and a second outlet 422, and the second flow channel 42 has a plurality of second sub-flow channels 423 connected in parallel between the second inlet 421 and the second outlet 422.

When the positive electrode electrolyte enters the first inlet 411, the positive electrode electrolyte can respectively flow to the plurality of first sub-flow channels 413 through the first inlet 411, finally converge at the first outlet 412, and flow to the plurality of battery units 1 from the first outlet 412; when the negative electrolyte enters the second inlet 421, the negative electrolyte may flow to the plurality of second sub-flow channels 423 through the second inlet 421, finally converge at the second outlet 422, and flow to the plurality of battery cells 1 from the second outlet 422. In this embodiment, the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 are both designed to include a plurality of parallel sub-flow channels, so that the fluid resistance of the electrolyte in the first heat-insulating plate 4a can be reduced, the electrolyte can be more uniformly distributed in the heat-insulating plate 4, and the heat-insulating effect can be further improved.

Further, at least a portion of the plurality of first sub flow paths 413 extends in parallel, and at least a portion of the plurality of second sub flow paths 423 extends in parallel. Therefore, the flow channel arrangement is more reasonable, and the temperature field distribution in the heat insulation plate 4 is more uniform.

As shown in fig. 1, the first flow channel 41 of the first thermal insulation plate 4a includes three first sub-flow channels 413 parallel to each other between the first inlet 411 and the first outlet 412, and the second flow channel 42 includes two second sub-flow channels 423 parallel to each other between the second inlet 421 and the second outlet 422, so that the fluid resistance of the flow cell stack 100 system may not be affected, specifically, the fluid resistance in the first thermal insulation plate 4a may be substantially maintained within 1.5KPa, which is negligible compared to the resistance of the entire flow cell stack 100 system, and at the same time, the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 are both formed as serpentine flow channels, which may make the distribution of the electrolyte in the first thermal insulation plate 4a more uniform, and the temperature distribution in the first thermal insulation plate 4a may be within ± 5 ℃ through temperature field calculation.

It should be noted that the widths, depths, and arrangement of the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 may be reasonably designed according to the fluid resistance and the temperature distribution.

In some embodiments of the present invention, referring to fig. 2, the second thermal insulation plate 4b may be centrally symmetric with the first thermal insulation plate 4a about the flow cell stack 100. In this way, when the electrolyte flows in the flow cell stack 100, the flow path of the positive and negative electrolytes in the flow cell stack 100 is X-shaped, specifically, when the positive electrolyte enters the plurality of battery cells 1 from the first outlet 412 below the first heat insulation plate 4a, the positive electrolyte enters the second heat insulation plate 4b from the third inlet above the second heat insulation plate 4b and then flows out, and this flow manner can make the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte have the same flow channel structure, reduce the fluid resistance inside the battery stack, and reduce the internal resistance.

In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in fig. 3, each of the plurality of battery cells 1 may include a positive plate frame 11, a bipolar plate 12, a sealing gasket 13, an ionic membrane 14, an electrode 15, and a negative plate frame 16, which are sequentially arranged along a first direction (e.g., a front-back direction shown in fig. 3), and a positive electrolyte channel and a negative electrolyte channel are formed in each of the battery cells 1, wherein an inlet of the positive electrolyte channel and an inlet of the negative electrolyte channel are opposite to and communicated with the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422, respectively, and an outlet of the positive electrolyte channel and an outlet of the negative electrolyte channel are opposite to and communicated with the third inlet and the fourth inlet, respectively.

When the electrolyte flows circularly, the positive electrolyte enters the first flow channel 41 from the first inlet 411, then enters the battery cells 1 from the first outlet 412 through the inlet of the positive electrolyte channel of each battery cell 1, and after the battery cells 1 are charged or discharged, enters the third flow channel from the outlet of the positive electrolyte channel of each battery cell 1 through the third inlet, and finally flows out from the third outlet. The negative electrolyte enters the second flow channel 42 from the second inlet 421, enters the battery unit 1 from the second outlet 422 through the inlet of the negative electrolyte channel of each battery unit 1, is counted into the fourth flow channel from the outlet of the negative electrolyte channel of the battery unit 1 through the fourth inlet after the charging or discharging process in the battery unit 1 is completed, and finally flows out from the fourth outlet. Thereby, a circulating flow of electrolyte within the flow cell stack 100 is achieved.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the gasket 13 is an epdm rubber. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gasket 13 may be a fluorine rubber member.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a surface of the first insulating plate 31 facing the plurality of battery cells 1 may be formed with a first groove, the first current collecting plate 21 is embedded in the first groove, and a surface of the first current collecting plate 21 is flush with a surface of the first insulating plate 31. Thereby, the first collecting plate 21 can be conveniently mounted and fixed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a side surface of negative plate frame 16 of second battery unit 1b facing second insulating plate 32 may be formed with a second groove, second current collector 22 is embedded in the second groove, and the surface of second current collector 22 is flush with the surface of negative plate frame 16 of second battery unit 1 b. Thereby, it is possible to facilitate mounting and fixing of the second collecting plate 22. It should be noted that, in the second battery unit 1b of the present embodiment, the second current collecting plate 22 is required to be embedded in the negative plate frame 16, so that the negative plate frame 16 of the second battery unit 1b is thicker than the negative plate frames 16 of the other battery units 1.

In some embodiments of the present invention, each of the first current collecting plate 21 and the second current collecting plate 22 includes: a copper plate for collecting and guiding current and a graphite bipolar plate as the bipolar plate 12 in the first cell unit 1a or the second cell unit 1b, that is, the first current collecting plate 21 and the second current collecting plate 22 each include a copper plate and a graphite bipolar plate, wherein the copper plates of the first current collecting plate 21 and the second current collecting plate 22 are each used for collecting and guiding current, the graphite bipolar plate in the first current collecting plate 21 is used as the bipolar plate 12 in the first cell unit 1a, and the graphite bipolar plate in the second current collecting plate 22 is used as the bipolar plate 12 in the second cell unit 1b, that is, the bipolar plates 12 may not be separately provided in each of the first cell unit 1a and the second cell unit 1 b.

Further, the copper plate and the graphite bipolar plate 12 may be integrally formed by hot pressing, and the graphite bipolar plate 12 is located on the side facing the plurality of battery cells 1. That is, the collector plate is a composite of copper metal and the graphite bipolar plate 12, and both are formed into an integral structure by a hot press process. And the graphite bipolar plate 12 in the first current collecting plate 21 is disposed toward the first cell unit 1a, and the graphite bipolar plate 12 in the second current collecting plate 22 is disposed toward the second cell unit 1 b.

Furthermore, a raised head portion is arranged on one side end face of the first current collecting plate 21, a raised head portion is also arranged on one side end face of the second current collecting plate 22, and the first current collecting plate 21 and the second current collecting plate 22 are both tightly connected with the bent conductive copper bar through the raised head portions and bolts so as to lead out large-flow current to the bus.

In some embodiments of the present invention, referring to fig. 2, the first end plate 51 and the second end plate 52 may both be provided with bolt holes for interconnection. Specifically, be equipped with a plurality of first bolt holes on the first end plate 51, also be equipped with a plurality of second bolt holes on the second end plate 52, a plurality of first bolt holes and a plurality of second bolt hole one-to-one, the bolt passes first bolt hole and second bolt hole and is connected and fasten first end plate 51, second end plate 52 and be located battery unit 1, heated board 4 and insulation board etc. between the two as an organic whole.

In some embodiments of the present invention, referring to fig. 4, the first insulating plate 31 is formed with a first shared liquid through hole and a second shared liquid through hole penetrating the first insulating plate 31, and the first shared liquid through hole and the second shared liquid through hole are respectively opposite to the first outlet 412 and the second outlet 422. The second insulating plate 32 is formed with a third shared fluid through hole and a fourth shared fluid through hole penetrating the second insulating plate 32, and the third shared fluid through hole and the fourth shared fluid through hole are respectively opposite to the third inlet and the fourth inlet.

For example, the first and second sharing liquid through holes are arranged side by side in the lower portion of the first insulating plate, and the third and fourth sharing liquid through holes are arranged side by side in the upper portion of the second insulating plate. The positive electrolyte in the first heat-insulating plate 4a can sequentially enter the plurality of battery units 1 through the first outlet 412 and the first shared liquid through hole, and sequentially enter the second heat-insulating plate 4b through the third shared liquid through hole and the third inlet. The negative electrolyte in the first heat-insulating plate 4a can sequentially enter the plurality of battery units 1 through the second outlet 422 and the second shared liquid through hole, and then sequentially enter the second heat-insulating plate 4b through the fourth shared liquid through hole and the fourth inlet. And finally, the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte respectively flow out from a third outlet and a fourth outlet of the second heat insulation plate 4b, so that the circulating flow of the electrolyte is completed.

It will be appreciated that a pump may be connected in series with the electrolyte line, the pump being used to circulate electrolyte throughout the battery system.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the flow cell stack 100 can be a ferro-chrome flow cell stack 100. Because the ferrochrome flow battery is different from other flow batteries, the optimal working temperature of the ferrochrome flow battery is 60-70 ℃, in the ferrochrome flow battery stack 100 of the embodiment, the first heat-preservation plate 4a and the second heat-preservation plate 4b are arranged to respectively preserve heat of the first battery unit 1a and the second battery unit 1b, so that each battery unit 1 can be kept at the optimal working temperature, and the problem of inconsistent performance of the battery units 1 is solved.

A flow cell stack 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1-4.

Referring to fig. 1, the flow battery pair of the present embodiment is a ferro-chromium flow battery stack 100.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the iron-chromium redox flow battery stack 100 mainly includes end plates (a first end plate 51 and a second end plate 52), heat-insulating plates 4 (a first heat-insulating plate 4a and a second heat-insulating plate 4b), a positive-side insulating plate (a first insulating plate 31), current-collecting plates (a first current-collecting plate 21 and a second current-collecting plate 22), a plurality of groups of battery units 1, a last battery unit 1 (a second battery unit 1b), a negative plate frame 16, a negative-side insulating plate (a second insulating plate 32), and other components.

Each cell unit 1 is composed of a positive plate frame 11, a bipolar plate 12, a sealing gasket 13, an ionic membrane 14, an electrode 15 and a negative plate frame 16. The sealing gaskets 13 are mainly arranged on the two sides of the bipolar plate 12, the ionic membrane 14 and the flow channel, not only prevent the electrolyte from leaking from the outside of the cell stack, but also prevent the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte from leaking and mixing in the cell stack, and the material is preferably ethylene propylene diene monomer or fluororubber. The electrode 15 is made of porous graphite felt material, has better specific surface area and hydrophilicity after being processed, and can enhance the electrochemical reaction of the electrolyte. The bipolar plate 12 is a flexible graphite composite material having a lower electrical resistivity and mechanical strength than other conductive plastics. The plate frame is provided with the multi-stage liquid separation flow channel, so that electrolyte can more uniformly enter the electrode 15, concentration polarization is reduced, and the energy efficiency of the cell stack is improved. The plate frame can be produced in batches by adopting a modified PP material through an injection molding mode, and the system cost can be reduced.

The overall dimension of the heat-insulating plate 4 can be the same as that of the battery plate frame (the positive plate frame 11 and the negative plate frame 16) of the battery unit 1, and a positive electrolyte inlet and a negative electrolyte inlet are formed in the left side surface of the heat-insulating plate 4 (the first heat-insulating plate 4 a). The side of the heat insulation board 4 close to the battery unit 1 is respectively provided with a positive electrolyte serpentine flow channel (a first flow channel 41) and a negative electrolyte serpentine flow channel (a second flow channel 42), and the width, the depth and the arrangement form of the flow channels are designed according to the calculation of fluid resistance and temperature distribution.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the heat insulation board 4 has no supporting function, and the inner runner channel can be designed to be deep and wide. The utility model provides an inside positive pole electrolyte runner design of heated board 4 is three parallel runners, the design of negative pole electrolyte runner is two parallel runners, finally joins in electrolyte liquid groove department. This flow channel design has two advantages: firstly, the fluid resistance of the cell stack system is not influenced, the fluid resistance of the heat insulation plate 4 is basically within 1.5KPa, and compared with the resistance of the whole cell stack system, the fluid resistance can be ignored; secondly, the serpentine flow channel design enables the electrolyte to be distributed in the heat insulation plate 4 more uniformly, and the temperature distribution in the heat insulation plate 4 is within +/-5 ℃ through temperature field calculation. Wherein, the material of the heat insulation board 4 can be glass fiber, perchloroethylene and the like.

One end of the upper flow channel of the heat insulation plate 4 is connected with the electrolyte inlet, and the other end of the upper flow channel is an oval liquid outlet groove (a first outlet 412 and a second outlet 422). The size and the position of the liquid outlet groove are consistent with the liquid inlet of the battery plate frame.

The positive and negative electrolytes respectively enter the insulation board 4 through the positive and negative electrolyte inlets (the first inlet 411 and the second inlet 421) on the insulation board 4, and enter the first battery unit 1a through the flow channel and the liquid outlet groove. Around the positive and negative flow passages, there are a special-shaped positive flow passage sealing groove 43 and a special-shaped negative flow passage sealing groove 43 for installing the gasket 13. The gasket 13 separates the electrolytes of the positive and negative electrodes, and serves to seal the electrolytes.

The upper surface and the lower surface of the heat insulation plate 4 are respectively provided with 2 hoisting holes, so that the cell stack is convenient to assemble. The electrolyte inlet (first inlet 411 and second inlet 421) on the heat preservation board 4 is connected with the electrolyte pipeline through a flange, and a sealing gasket 13 is arranged at the joint to prevent the electrolyte from leaking.

As shown in fig. 2, the components of the flow cell stack 100 of this embodiment are pressed together by a press, and then the stack is packaged together by high-strength bolts and springs. Specifically, the first end plate 51 and the second end plate 52 are distributed with a plurality of bolt holes, and the bolt holes are positioned tangentially to the outer contours of the positive plate frame 11 and the negative plate frame 16, so that the fastening function can be achieved.

The collector plate is a composite material of metal copper and a graphite bipolar plate 12, and the two are formed into an integral structure through hot pressing. One side of the graphite bipolar plate 12 serves as a bipolar plate 12 in the battery unit 1, and the other side of the graphite bipolar plate 12 is in contact with the positive electrode side insulating plate, thereby performing the functions of collecting and extracting current. The raised head of the current collecting plate is tightly connected with the bent conductive copper bar through a bolt, and large-flow current is led out to the bus.

The positive electrode side insulation board is in contact with the positive plate frame 11 of the first group of battery units 1, and the external dimension of the positive electrode side insulation board is the same as that of the battery plate frame and the insulation board 4. One surface of the anode-side insulating plate is provided with a groove, the shape and the depth of the groove are consistent with those of the current collecting plate (a first current collecting plate 21), and the current collecting plate is placed in the groove during assembly. An oval shared liquid through hole is formed below the anode-side insulating plate, and the anode electrolyte and the cathode electrolyte respectively flow into each group of battery units 1 through the anode shared liquid through hole and the cathode shared liquid through hole.

The negative plate frame 16 of the last cell 1 (second cell 1b) is different from the negative plate frames 16 of the other cells 1, and the current collecting plate (second current collecting plate 22) is put into the bipolar plate 12 groove of the negative plate frame 16 of the last cell 1, so that the plate frame is thicker than the other negative plate frames 16. The metallic copper side of the second current collector 22 is in contact with the anode side insulator plate and the graphite bipolar plate 12 side of the second current collector 22 is in contact with the anode plate frame 16.

As shown in fig. 4, the surface of the negative electrode side insulating plate (second insulating plate 32) in contact with the second current collecting plate 22 has four shared channels, two at the top and two at the bottom, the shared channel at the bottom is a blind hole, and a sealing ring is provided to prevent the electrolyte from leaking outside. The two sharing channels at the upper edge are through holes which are respectively a positive electrolyte outlet hole and a negative electrolyte outlet hole. In positive and negative electrode electrolyte will flow into the insulation board 4 through these two holes respectively, through 4 internal flow channels of insulation board, flow out from the liquid outlet of insulation board 4, make electrolyte circulate in whole battery system through the circulating pump.

According to the utility model discloses iron chromium redox flow battery pile 100, positive pole electrolyte and negative pole electrolyte all flow into the battery pile with certain flow through positive, negative pole electrolyte import on heated board 4 to carry out electrochemical reaction on the re-electrode 15, after the reaction is accomplished, the electrolyte export on heated board 4 by the opposite side flows. Two upper and lower heated board 4 are central symmetry when the assembly, and the flow path of positive and negative pole electrolyte in the battery pile is the X type like this, if positive pole electrolyte advances from heated board 4 top inlet, then goes out from the below liquid outlet of opposite side heated board 4. The flowing mode enables the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte to have the same flow channel structure, reduces the internal fluid resistance of the battery and reduces the internal resistance.

Meanwhile, when the heated electrolyte flows through the flow channel of the heat insulation plate 4, the heat insulation effect is formed on the first group of single cells and the last group of single cells. Because the electrolyte is circularly heated, the temperature of the heat-insulating plate 4 can be kept constant, so that the temperature difference of the fluid entering each group of single batteries is within +/-5 ℃, the performance consistency and stability among the single batteries are improved, the energy efficiency of the batteries is improved, and the cost of a battery system is reduced.

According to the utility model discloses an iron chromium redox flow battery pile 100 realizes the heat preservation effect to first group and last group battery unit 1 through increasing one deck heated board 4 between insulation board and end plate to solve the inconsistent problem of battery unit 1 performance among the prior art.

According to the heat insulation board 4 for the flow cell stack 100 of the embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, a side surface of the heat insulation board 4 in the thickness direction is formed with a first flow channel 41 and a second flow channel 42 which are spaced apart, the first flow channel 41 has a first inlet 411 and a first outlet 412, the first flow channel 41 is circuitously extended between the first inlet 411 and the first outlet 412, the second flow channel 42 has a second inlet 421 and a second outlet 422, and the second flow channel 42 is circuitously extended between the second inlet 421 and the second outlet 422.

When the heated electrolyte flows through the flow channel on the heat insulation plate 4, a heat insulation effect is formed on the battery unit 1 (for example, the first battery unit 1a or the second battery unit 1b) adjacent to the heat insulation plate 4. Because the electrolyte is circulated and has heat-clearing effect, the temperature of the heat-preserving plate 4 can be kept constant, and thus, the temperature difference of fluid entering each group of battery units 1 is small, so that the performance consistency and stability among the battery units 1 are improved, the energy efficiency of the battery is improved, and the cost of a battery system is reduced.

According to the utility model discloses a heated board 4 for redox flow battery stack 100 when heated electrolyte flows through heated board 4, can play the heat preservation effect to rather than adjacent battery unit 1 (for example be located first battery unit 1a and second battery unit 1b at a plurality of battery unit 1 both ends) to solve the inconsistent problem of battery unit 1 performance among the prior art.

In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 1, a sealing groove 43 may be disposed on the first heat insulation plate 4a, the sealing groove 43 may be disposed between the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42, and a sealing gasket 13 may be disposed in the sealing groove 43, so that the electrolyte in the first flow channel 41 and the electrolyte in the second flow channel 42 may be isolated.

In an embodiment of the present invention, referring to fig. 1, a sealing groove 43 may be disposed on the first heat insulation plate 4a, and the sealing groove 43 may extend around the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42, wherein "the sealing groove 43 surrounds the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42", that is, the sealing groove 43 surrounds the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42 respectively, and that the sealing groove 43 surrounds the outer sides of the first flow channel 41 and the second flow channel 42. The seal groove 43 may be provided with a gasket 13, thereby achieving an effect of sealing the electrolytes in the first and

second flow channels

41 and 42 and preventing the electrolytes in the first and

second flow channels

41 and 42 from leaking.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the heat insulation board 4 may be a glass fiber member, and the heat insulation board 4 may also be a perchloroethylene member.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", and the like, indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of description and simplicity of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore, should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "fixed" are to be construed broadly and may, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed; the connection can be mechanical connection, electrical connection or communication; either directly or indirectly through intervening media, either internally or in any other relationship. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations by those skilled in the art.

In the description herein, references to the description of the term "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples," etc., mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the terms used above are not necessarily intended to refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, various embodiments or examples and features of different embodiments or examples described in this specification can be combined and combined by one skilled in the art without contradiction.

While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A flow battery stack, comprising:

a plurality of battery cells arranged in a stack in a first direction, the plurality of battery cells including at least a first battery cell and a second battery cell at both ends of the first direction, respectively;

the first current collecting plate, the first insulating plate, the first heat preservation plate and the first end plate are sequentially arranged on the outer side of the first battery unit from inside to outside along the first direction;

the second collector plate, the second insulation plate and the second end plate are sequentially arranged on the outer side of the second battery unit from inside to outside along the first direction;

the first heat preservation plate is provided with a first flow channel and a second flow channel which are arranged at intervals and extend in a winding way on one side surface facing the plurality of battery units, and a first outlet of the first flow channel and a second outlet of the second flow channel are communicated with the plurality of battery units;

and a third flow channel and a fourth flow channel which are arranged at intervals and extend in a roundabout manner are formed on the surface of one side, facing the plurality of battery units, of the second insulation board, and a third inlet of the third flow channel and a fourth inlet of the fourth flow channel are communicated with the plurality of battery units.

2. The flow cell stack of claim 1, wherein the first thermal insulation plate is provided with a sealing groove extending around the first flow channel and the second flow channel, and/or wherein the sealing groove is disposed between the first flow channel and the second flow channel.

3. The flow cell stack of claim 1, wherein the first inlet of the first flow channel is formed on one side end surface of the first heat-insulating plate perpendicular to the first direction, the second inlet of the second flow channel is formed on one side end surface of the first heat-insulating plate perpendicular to the first direction, and the first inlet and the second inlet are located on the same side end surface of the first heat-insulating plate.

4. The flow cell stack of claim 1, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are arranged side-by-side, and each of the first outlet and the second outlet is formed as a concave elliptical trough in a side surface of the first thermal insulation plate facing the plurality of battery cells.

5. The flow cell stack of claim 1, wherein the first flow channel comprises a plurality of first sub-flow channels connected in parallel between a first inlet and a first outlet of the first flow channel, the second flow channel comprises a plurality of second sub-flow channels connected in parallel between a second inlet and a second outlet of the second flow channel, at least portions of the plurality of first sub-flow channels extend in parallel, and at least portions of the plurality of second sub-flow channels extend in parallel.

6. The flow cell stack of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the second thermal insulation plate and the first thermal insulation plate are centrally symmetric about the flow cell stack.

7. The flow battery stack of any one of claims 1-5, wherein each of the plurality of cells comprises a positive plate frame, a bipolar plate, a sealing gasket, an ionic membrane, an electrode, and a negative plate frame arranged in sequence along a first direction, and each cell has a positive electrolyte channel and a negative electrolyte channel formed therein in spaced apart relation,

the inlet of the positive electrolyte channel and the inlet of the negative electrolyte channel are respectively opposite to and communicated with the first outlet and the second outlet, and the outlet of the positive electrolyte channel and the outlet of the negative electrolyte channel are respectively opposite to and communicated with the third inlet and the fourth inlet.

8. The flow cell stack of claim 7, wherein the gasket is an ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber or a viton rubber.

9. The flow cell stack of any one of claims 1-5, wherein a surface of the first insulating plate facing the plurality of battery cells is formed with a first recess, the first current collecting plate is embedded in the first recess, and a surface of the first current collecting plate is flush with a surface of the first insulating plate;

the negative plate frame of the second battery unit faces one side surface of the second insulating plate, a second groove is formed in the surface of the negative plate frame of the second battery unit, the second current collecting plate is embedded into the second groove, and the surface of the second current collecting plate is flush with the surface of the negative plate frame of the second battery unit.

10. The flow cell stack of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first and second current collector plates each comprise: the battery comprises a copper plate used for collecting and guiding current and a graphite bipolar plate used as a bipolar plate in a first battery unit or a second battery unit, wherein the copper plate and the graphite bipolar plate are integrally formed through hot pressing, and the graphite bipolar plate is positioned on the side facing the battery units.

11. The flow cell stack of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first end plate and the second end plate are each provided with bolt holes for interconnection.

12. The flow cell stack of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the first insulating plate has formed therein first and second shared fluid through holes that extend therethrough and are opposed to the first and second outlets, respectively, and the second insulating plate has formed therein third and fourth shared fluid through holes that extend therethrough and are opposed to the third and fourth inlets, respectively.

13. The flow cell stack of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the flow cell stack is a ferro-chrome flow cell stack.

14. An insulation board for a flow cell stack, wherein a first flow channel and a second flow channel are formed on one side surface of the insulation board along the thickness direction, the first flow channel is provided with a first inlet and a first outlet, the first flow channel is extended in a circuitous way between the first inlet and the first outlet, the second flow channel is provided with a second inlet and a second outlet, and the second flow channel is extended in a circuitous way between the second inlet and the second outlet.

15. The thermal insulation plate for a flow cell stack according to claim 14, wherein a sealing groove is provided between the first flow channel and the second flow channel, the sealing groove extends around the first flow channel and the second flow channel, and/or the sealing groove is arranged between the first flow channel and the second flow channel.

16. The thermal insulation plate for a flow cell stack of claim 14, wherein the first flow channel comprises a plurality of first sub-flow channels connected in parallel between the first inlet and the first outlet, and the second flow channel comprises a plurality of second sub-flow channels connected in parallel between the second inlet and the second outlet.

17. The thermal insulation plate for a flow battery stack according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein the thermal insulation plate is a fiberglass piece or a perchloroethylene piece.