KR20200082458A - Redox flow battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a redox flow battery to uniformly mix an electrolyte. According to the present invention, the redox flow battery comprises: a battery cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode formed therein; an electrolyte storage tank supplying an electrolyte to the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a supply flow path connecting the electrolyte storage tank and the battery cell to supply the electrolyte from the electrolyte storage tank to the battery cell; a return flow path connecting the electrolyte storage tank and the battery cell to return the electrolyte from the battery cell to the electrolyte storage tank; a pressure providing unit providing pressure for circulating the electrolyte between the electrolyte storage tank and the battery cell; and an electrolyte distributer having a spray hole for dispersing the electrolyte supplied from the electrolyte storage tank.

Description

Redox flow battery

The present invention relates to a redox flow battery, and more particularly, to a redox flow battery that allows the electrolyte solution having different physical and electrical properties to be uniformly mixed during charging and discharging.

Recently, as a method for suppressing greenhouse gas emission, which is a major cause of global warming, new and renewable energy such as solar energy or wind energy has been spotlighted. A lot of research has been conducted to promote their practical use. However, new and renewable energy is greatly affected by the location environment or natural conditions, and furthermore, since new and renewable energy has a large output fluctuation, it cannot be continuously supplied with energy.

Therefore, in order to use renewable energy for home or commercial use, a system that stores energy when the output is high and uses the stored energy when the output is low is used.

A large capacity secondary battery is used as the energy storage system. For example, large-capacity photovoltaic and wind farms have been introduced with large-capacity secondary battery storage systems. Secondary batteries for storing large amounts of power include lead acid batteries, sodium sulfide (NaS) batteries, lithium batteries, or redox flow batteries (RFBs).

The redox flow battery is capable of operating at room temperature, and since capacity and output can be independently designed, many studies have been conducted on large-capacity secondary batteries. The redox flow battery has a function of a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging electric energy by arranging a separator (membrane), an electrode, and a bipolar plate in series, similar to a fuel cell.

As shown in Figure 1, the redox flow battery is provided with a battery cell 1 having positive and negative electrodes disposed on both sides of a separator, and a positive electrode electrolyte storage tank 2 and a negative electrode that supply electrolyte to the positive and negative electrodes. Each of the electrolyte storage tanks 3 is provided. The electrolyte is repeatedly passed through the electrolyte storage tanks 2, 3, the supply passage 5, the battery cell 1, and the recovery passage 6 sequentially by the pressure provided by the pump 4 To cycle. The electrolyte is ion-exchanged in the battery cell 1, and electrons are generated in the process to charge and discharge. Such a redox flow battery has a longer lifespan than a conventional secondary battery, and is suitable as an energy storage system (EES) because it can be manufactured in a medium to large-sized system of kW to MW.

However, in the conventional redox flow battery as shown in FIG. 1, the physical or chemical properties of the electrolytic solution are changed during charging and discharging, which causes problems that are not easily mixed.

Specifically, FIG. 2 shows the distribution of the electrolyte in the anode electrolyte storage tank 2 when the redox flow battery is discharged in a redox flow battery in which the charged electrolyte solution has a higher density than the discharged electrolyte. As shown in FIG. 2, when the electrolyte solution discharged from the battery cell 1 and having a lower density enters the anode electrolyte storage tank 2 through the recovery passage 6, it is stored in the anode electrolyte storage tank 2 The lowered electrolyte is accumulated on the charged electrolyte, and the charged electrolyte with high density is supplied to the battery cell 1 through the supply flow path 5.

On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows the distribution of the electrolyte in the anode electrolyte storage tank 2 when the redox flow battery is charged in a redox flow battery having a higher density than the discharged electrolyte as shown in FIG. Shows. As shown in FIG. 3, when the battery cell 1 is charged and the dense electrolyte is introduced into the anode electrolyte storage tank 2 storing the discharged electrolyte, the relatively dense charged electrolyte is a cathode electrolyte It goes down to the bottom of the storage tank (2).

Since the high-density electrolyte is concentrated only in the center of the anode electrolyte storage tank (2), and the part of the electrolyte away from the center is filled with the electrolyte in a relatively uncharged state, it is possible to fully utilize the original energy capacity of the redox flow battery. There is no problem.

In addition, when the high-density electrolyte flows to the bottom of the center of the positive electrode electrolyte storage tank 2 and moves back to the battery cell 1 for charging, the battery cell 1 is already in a state in which the introduced electrolyte is already charged. It may adversely affect ion exchange for charging.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that the electrolyte flowing from the battery cell to the electrolyte tank during charging and discharging is uniformly mixed.

Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0647422

The present invention has been devised to improve the problems as described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a redox flow battery capable of uniformly mixing electrolytes having different physical and electrical properties during charging and discharging.

Redox flow battery according to the present invention, a battery cell provided with an anode and a cathode; An electrolyte storage tank that supplies electrolyte to the anode and the cathode; A supply passage connecting the electrolyte storage tank and the battery cell such that the electrolyte is supplied from the electrolyte storage tank to the battery cell; A return passage connecting the battery cell and the electrolyte storage tank so that the electrolyte is recovered from the battery cell to the electrolyte storage tank; A pressure providing unit that provides a pressure for circulating the electrolyte between the electrolyte storage tank and the battery cell; It is preferable to include; an electrolytic solution distributor having a spray hole for dispersing the electrolytic solution entering the electrolyte storage tank.

In addition, it is preferable that the diameter of the injection hole is smaller than the diameter of the return passage.

In addition, the electrolyte distributor is preferably provided on the upper side of the electrolyte storage tank, the electrolyte is preferably injected from the upper side to the lower side through the injection hole of the electrolyte distributor.

In addition, the electrolyte dispenser is formed in a plate shape, it is preferable that the injection hole is formed spaced apart at regular intervals.

In addition, the electrolyte distributor is preferably provided on the lower side of the electrolyte storage tank, the electrolyte is preferably injected from the lower side to the upper side through the injection hole of the electrolyte distributor.

In addition, it is preferable that the electrolyte distributors are provided in a plurality of spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

In addition, the electrolyte dispenser is formed in a plate shape, it is preferable that the injection hole is formed spaced apart at regular intervals.

In addition, it is preferable that the electrolytic solution distributor rotates with respect to the return passage.

In addition, the electrolyte dispenser includes a horizontal bar, the end of the recirculation flow path is coupled to the center of the horizontal bar, and the injection of the electrolyte by the spray hole formed in the left portion disposed on the left side based on the center of the horizontal bar. It is preferable that the direction and the injection direction of the electrolyte solution by the injection holes formed on the right side disposed on the right side are opposite to each other.

In addition, it is preferable that the injection direction of the electrolyte injected from the electrolyte distributor through the injection hole has a predetermined angle with a virtual plane on which the electrolyte distributor is placed.

In addition, the electrolyte dispenser includes a porous material, and it is preferable that the injection hole is a hole formed in the porous material.

In addition, the porous material is preferably a felt, a fabric, or a porous foam.

In addition, the electrolyte distributor 60 is connected to the recirculation flow path 40 and extends while rotating in a spiral shape, and the injection hole 61 is configured to spray the electrolyte toward the center of the electrolyte storage tank 20 It is preferably formed.

In addition, the electrolyte distributor 60 is disposed to have a predetermined distance inside the electrolyte storage tank 20, the inner cylinder member 70 and a plurality of injection holes 71 provided in the inner cylinder member 70, And it is preferable that the inner cylinder member and the electrolytic solution storage tank (20) comprises a distribution channel (72) formed spaced apart from each other.

The redox flow battery according to the present invention provides an effect of uniformly mixing the electrolyte solution having different physical and electrical properties during charging and discharging in the electrolyte supply unit.

1 is a view schematically showing a conventional redox flow battery,
2 and 3 is a view showing a state in which the electrolyte flows into the electrolyte storage tank from the conventional redox flow battery,
Figure 4 is a view showing a redox flow battery according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 5 is a view showing an excerpt of the main part of Figure 4,
Figure 6 is a bottom view of the electrolyte dispenser of Figure 4,
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolyte distributor of Figure 4,
8 is a view showing an electrolyte dispenser employed in another embodiment of the present invention,
9 is a view showing an electrolyte dispenser employed in another embodiment of the present invention,
10 is a view showing an electrolytic solution distributor employed in another embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 11 is a view showing excerpts of main parts of FIG. 10;
12 is a view showing an electrolyte dispenser employed in another embodiment of the present invention,
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 12,
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of Figure 12,
15 to 18 are views showing an electrolyte dispenser employed in another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings. Various embodiments of the present invention may have various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and related detailed descriptions are described. However, this is not intended to limit the various embodiments of the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications and/or equivalents or substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the present invention. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals have been used for similar elements.

Expressions such as “comprises” or “can include” that may be used in various embodiments of the present invention indicate the existence of a corresponding function, operation, or component that has been invented, and additional one or more functions, operations, or The components and the like are not limited. Further, in various embodiments of the present invention, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to designate the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, It should be understood that one or more other features or numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof are not excluded in advance.

When it is stated that an element is "connected" to another element, the other element may be directly connected to the other element, but another new element between the other element and the other element It should be understood that may exist. On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it will be understood that no other new component exists between the component and the other components. You should be able to.

Terms used in various embodiments of the present invention are only used to describe specific day embodiments, and are not intended to limit the various embodiments of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which various embodiments of the present invention pertain.

Terms, such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary, should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with meanings in the context of related technologies, and are ideally or excessively formal unless explicitly defined in various embodiments of the present invention. It is not interpreted as meaning.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4 is a view showing a redox flow battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a view showing an excerpt of the main part of FIG. 4. 6 is a bottom view of the electrolyte distributor of FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the electrolyte distributor of FIG.

Referring first to Figure 4, the redox flow battery 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery cell 10, the electrolyte storage tank 20, the supply passage 30, the return passage 40, pressure It includes a provision unit 50, and an electrolyte distributor 60.

The battery cell (battery cell) 10 is the smallest unit in which charging and discharging occurs through the electrolyte, and the positive electrode 11 disposed on both sides of the separator 13 and the separator 13 so that charge and discharge are performed while ion exchange occurs. ), the cathode 12, and may include a separation plate 14. Since the configuration of the battery cell 10 itself is based on a known configuration, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The electrolyte storage tank 20 is provided to supply the electrolyte to the battery cell 10. According to this embodiment, the electrolytic solution supply unit 20 includes an electrolytic solution storage tank 21 for supplying an electrolytic solution to the positive electrode, and an electrolytic solution storage tank 22 for supplying an electrolyte to the negative electrode.

According to this embodiment, the electrolyte storage tank 20 is a material selected from rubber, fluorocarbon rubber, polyolefin resin, olefin polyethylene (PE), chlorinated polyethylene, polypropene, or polyvinyl chloride resin Is made of The material is a material resistant to chemicals and prevents the inside of the storage tank 20 from being corroded by the electrolyte. Meanwhile, the inner wall surface of the storage tank 20 may be coated using a chemical resistant coating agent, and the coating agent may be selected from silicon compounds, boron compounds, or aluminum compounds.

The supply passage 30 connects the electrolyte storage tank 20 and the battery cell 10 so that the electrolyte is supplied from the electrolyte storage tank 20 to the battery cell 10. The return passage 40 connects the battery cell 10 and the electrolyte storage tank 20 so that the electrolyte is recovered from the battery cell 10 to the electrolyte storage tank 20.

The supply passage 30 and the return passage 40 are provided on the anode side and the cathode side, respectively, in order to supply and recover the electrolyte to the anode and cathode of the battery cell 10.

The pressure providing unit 50 provides pressure for circulating the electrolyte between the electrolyte storage tank 20 and the battery cell 10. The pressure providing unit 50 is provided to apply pressure to the electrolyte stored in the electrolyte storage tank 20 to flow the electrolyte to the battery cell 10. The electrolytic solution flows into the battery cell 10 through the supply passage 30 by the pressure providing unit 50.

According to this embodiment, the pressure providing unit 50 is a pump provided in the supply flow path 30, the electrolyte flows to the battery cell 10 by the pressure of the pump, the battery cell 10 of the The electrolyte solution present therein is pushed by the pump pressure and flows from the battery cell 10 to the electrolyte storage tank 20. The pump may be a pneumatic pump, an electric pump, or a hydraulic pump. Of course, the pressure providing unit 50 may also be implemented in a structure that directly or indirectly applies pressure to the electrolyte by means other than a pump.

The electrolyte distributor 60 is provided to ensure that the electrolyte flowing into the electrolyte storage tank 20 is well mixed with the electrolyte present in the electrolyte storage tank 20. In the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 is provided in the electrolyte storage tank 21 for the positive electrode and the electrolyte storage tank 22 for the negative electrode, respectively.

The electrolyte distributor 60 has an injection hole 61 for dispersing the electrolyte. According to the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 is connected to the return passage 40, a plurality of injection holes 61 are formed to disperse the electrolyte that enters the electrolyte storage tank 20 have.

As shown in Figure 4, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the diameter (D1) of the injection hole 61 is smaller than the diameter (D2) of the return passage (40). The electrolytic solution is pushed by the pressure of the pressure providing unit 50 from the battery cell 10 and flows into the electrolytic solution storage tank 20 through the return passage 40. At this time, since the diameter (D1) of the injection hole 61 is smaller than the diameter (D2) of the recirculation flow path (40), the pressure of the electrolytic solution increases as it passes through the area where the area is narrowed, and the electrolyte storage tank (20) Can be sprayed with.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 is provided on the upper side of the electrolyte storage tank 20, the electrolyte is injected from the upper side to the lower side through the injection hole 61. Since the electrolytic solution bonsai 60 is formed with a plurality of injection holes 61, the electrolyte is dropped at a plurality of points with respect to the water surface of the electrolytic solution storage tank 20, so that there are groups in the electrolyte storage tank 20 The electrolyte to be mixed with the newly introduced electrolyte can be uniformly and easily mixed.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 is formed in a plate shape, the injection holes 61 are formed spaced apart at regular intervals. As shown in Figure 6, the end of the recirculation flow path 40 is coupled to the central side of the plate-shaped electrolyte distributor 60. As shown in Figure 7, the electrolyte distributor 60 is formed with a space for receiving the electrolyte therein, a plurality of injection holes 61 are formed on the lower surface.

The injection holes 61 are spaced apart at regular intervals on the lower surface of the electrolyte distributor 60. The diameter of the injection hole 61 is formed smaller than the diameter of the recirculation flow path (40). Of course, the electrolyte distributor 60 may be implemented in various forms, such as a bar shape extending in one direction or a cross shape in which bars intersect each other.

8 shows a redox flow battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same functions or functions as the embodiment of FIG. 4, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The redox flow battery according to the present embodiment has a different configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 than the redox flow battery according to FIG. 4. Hereinafter, the configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 will be described in detail.

The electrolyte distributor 60 employed in this embodiment is provided below the electrolyte storage tank 20. The electrolyte is injected from the lower side to the upper side through the injection hole 61 of the electrolyte distributor 60. In addition, according to this embodiment, the supply passage 30 is installed on the upper side of the electrolyte storage tank 20.

Therefore, the electrolyte solution introduced from the battery cell 10 is sprayed toward the upper side from the lower portion of the electrolyte storage tank 20, and the electrolyte solution located above the electrolyte storage tank 20 through the supply passage 30 is supplied. Since it is supplied to the battery cell 10, the battery cell 10 is mixed while flowing upward.

In the present embodiment, the injection hole 61 of the electrolyte distributor 60 is smaller than the diameter of the return passage 40. The electrolyte is injected through the injection hole 61 by the pressure of the pressure providing unit 50, and does not require a separate mechanical equipment. In addition, the electrolyte distributor 60 may be formed in a plate shape. The plate shape may be implemented as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, the injection hole 61 may be formed spaced apart at regular intervals in the plate-shaped electrolyte distributor (60).

Of course, in the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 may be implemented in various forms, such as a bar shape extending in one direction or a cross shape in which bars intersect each other.

9 shows a redox flow battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same functions or functions as those in the embodiment of FIG. 8, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The redox flow battery according to the present embodiment is different from the redox flow battery according to FIG. 8 in that a plurality of electrolyte distributors 60 are provided. Hereinafter, the configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 will be described in detail.

The electrolyte distributor 60 employed in this embodiment is provided in a plurality of spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. That is, according to the embodiment of Figure 9, the electrolyte distributor 60 according to Figure 8 is provided in a plurality in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, three electrolyte distributors 60 are provided, but the number is not limited thereto.

The electrolyte distributor 60 may be formed in a plate shape as shown in FIG. 6. Of course, the electrolyte distributor 60 may be implemented in various forms, such as a bar shape extending in one direction or a cross shape in which bars intersect each other.

The supply passage 30 is provided on the upper side of the electrolyte storage tank 20, as in the embodiment of Figure 8 to supply the electrolyte to the battery cell 10.

According to the present embodiment, the electrolyte is sprayed from the lower side to the upper side through the injection hole 61, and the electrolyte is more uniform since the electrolyte distributor 60 is disposed in the vertical direction inside the electrolyte storage tank 20 Can be mixed.

10 shows a redox flow battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same functions or functions as the embodiment of FIG. 4, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The redox flow battery according to the present embodiment has a different configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 than the redox flow battery according to FIG. 4. Hereinafter, the configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the electrolytic solution distributor 60 is provided to be rotatable relative to the return passage 40. Specifically, the electrolyte distributor 60 includes a horizontal bar 62, the direction of the electrolyte discharged by the injection holes 61 respectively formed on the left and right based on the center of the horizontal bar 62 is made opposite to each other .

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the horizontal bar 62 is a rod-shaped member formed in one direction, and a space in which the electrolyte is accommodated is formed. The horizontal bar 62 is disposed in a horizontal direction inside the electrolyte storage tank 20. The end of the recirculation passage 40 is coupled to the center of the horizontal bar 62. The electrolytic solution introduced through the recirculation flow passage 40 flows to both sides of the horizontal bar 62.

Based on the center of the horizontal bar 62, the injection direction of the electrolyte by the injection hole 61 formed on the left side disposed on the left side, and the injection of the electrolyte by the injection hole 61 formed on the right side disposed on the right side The directions are opposite.

Based on FIG. 10, the electrolyte that has passed through the injection hole 61 formed on the right side is discharged in the direction of penetrating the ground, and the electrolyte that has passed through the injection hole 61 formed on the left side is discharged in the direction of protruding from the ground. As described above, the pressure at which the electrolyte is discharged is transmitted from the pressure providing unit 50.

The electrolyte distributor 60 is rotated based on the center where the recirculation flow path 40 is coupled by the electrolytes discharged in opposite directions. As the horizontal bar 62 rotates, the electrolyte is discharged, so that the electrolyte stored in the electrolyte storage tank 20 can be uniformly mixed.

Of course, the electrolytic solution distributor 60 employed in this embodiment is made in the form of a horizontal bar 62, but the horizontal bar 62 has two crosses, or three crosses. Can be implemented.

12 to 14 show a redox flow battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same functions or functions as those of the embodiment of FIG. 10, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The redox flow battery according to this embodiment has a different configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 than the redox flow battery according to FIG. 10. Hereinafter, the configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 will be described in detail.

The electrolyte dispenser 60 employed in this embodiment is rotatably coupled with respect to the recirculation flow path 40, and the injection direction of the electrolyte injected through the injection hole 61 is the electrolyte dispenser 60 It is formed to have a predetermined angle with the imaginary plane (P).

12 and 13, the direction in which the electrolyte is discharged by the injection hole 61 formed on the right side of the horizontal bar 62 is a virtual plane P on which the electrolyte dispenser 60 is placed and a predetermined angle ( θ). Similarly, referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, the direction in which the electrolyte is discharged by the injection hole 61 formed on the left side of the horizontal bar 62 is a predetermined plane and a virtual plane P on which the electrolyte distributor 60 is placed. The angle (θ) is achieved.

According to the embodiment of Figure 12, the injection hole 61 is formed on the side of the horizontal bar 62, the injection hole 61 is formed to be inclined to the upper surface of the horizontal bar 62, the horizontal bar 62 can be implemented to rotate.

As described above, since the electrolyte discharged by the injection hole 61 is obliquely sprayed upward, the mixing of the electrolyte is improved, and the mixing solution is better because the electrolyte is stirred by the rotating horizontal bar 62.

Of course, according to the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 is formed in the form of a horizontal bar 62, the injection hole 61 is shown in a case formed in opposite directions from each other, the injection hole 61 is The embodiment in which the slant is formed is not limited thereto. For example, the electrolyte dispenser 60 may be formed in a plate shape, and the injection hole 61 may be formed at an angle in the same direction, and thus may be embodied in a manner of rotating the plate-shaped electrolyte dispenser 60.

15 shows a redox flow battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same functions or functions as the embodiment of FIG. 4, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. The redox flow battery according to the present embodiment has a different configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 than the redox flow battery according to FIG. 4. Hereinafter, the configuration of the electrolyte distributor 60 will be described in detail.

The electrolyte distributor 60 employed in the present embodiment includes a porous material. Felt, fabric, or porous foam may be used as the porous material. The porous material has a thickness such that it can be connected to the return passage 40, and is formed to an extent that the electrolyte can be discharged to the electrolyte storage tank 20 after being diffused along the porous material. The porous material may be used as a porous material alone to have a predetermined strength, or the porous material may be used in a form combined with a separate casing (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the injection hole 61 is a hole formed in the porous material, and the porous material is irregularly formed, so the electrolyte discharged through the electrolyte is pre-stored in the electrolyte storage tank 20 It becomes possible to mix more uniformly.

In addition, the electrolyte distributor 60 made of a porous material may function as a filter for removing foreign substances contained in the electrolyte. During the operation of the redox flow battery, foreign substances such as dust, reaction by-products, or electrolyte debris contained in the electrolyte can be filtered by filtering the porous material to improve the efficiency of the battery.

According to this embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 made of the porous material is disposed on the upper side of the electrolyte storage tank 20, but the installation position is not limited thereto.

16 shows a redox flow battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same functions or functions as those in the embodiment of FIG. 8, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, when the return passage 40 extends to the lower side of the electrolyte storage tank 20, and the electrolyte distributor 60 is connected to the end of the return passage 40, the electrolyte solution A plurality of injection holes 41 are formed in the return passage 40 introduced into the storage tank 20. The electrolyte sprayed through the injection hole 41 formed in the recirculation passage 40 contributes to the uniform mixing of the electrolyte in the height direction of the electrolyte storage tank 20.

17 shows a redox flow battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same functions or functions as the embodiment of FIG. 5, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. According to the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 is connected to the return passage 40 and extends while rotating in a spiral shape, and the injection hole 61 of the electrolyte storage tank 20 It is formed to spray the electrolyte toward the center side. That is, the injection hole 61 is provided in the inner direction of the spiral-shaped tube, and the electrolyte is discharged from the end of the spiral-shaped tube, the injection hole 61 is the central side of the electrolyte storage tank 200 The electrolyte is sprayed toward.

According to the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 formed in the spiral shape is disposed close to the inner surface of the electrolyte storage tank 20. Since the electrolyte distributor 60 is disposed in the vertical direction, even mixing of the electrolyte is induced in the height direction of the electrolyte storage tank 20. In addition, since the injection holes 61 are formed in the helical electrolyte distributor 60, the injection directions are different from each other, thereby contributing to uniform mixing of the electrolyte.

18 shows a redox flow battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same functions or functions as the embodiment of FIG. 5, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. According to the redox flow battery according to the present embodiment, the electrolyte distributor 60 is disposed on the inner cylinder member 70 and the inner cylinder member 70 which are arranged to have a predetermined gap inside the electrolyte storage tank 20. It includes a plurality of injection holes (71) provided, the inner cylinder member and the distribution passage 72 is formed to be spaced apart from the electrolyte storage tank (20).

According to this embodiment, the inner cylinder member 70 is provided inside the electrolyte storage tank 20. The inner cylinder member 70 is provided with a plurality of injection holes (71). The electrolytic solution flowing to the electrolyte storage tank 20 through the recirculation passage 40 flows into the electrolyte storage tank 20 through the distribution channel 72. Since the electrolyte solution can be sprayed inward through the front surface of the electrolyte storage tank 20 through the injection hole 71, it contributes to even mixing of the electrolyte solution. On the other hand, the end of the supply flow path 30 is disposed to be introduced into the inner cylinder member 70. The electrolyte solution mixed in the inner cylinder member 70 is provided to the battery cell 10 through the supply passage 30.

Hereinafter, the action or effect of the redox flow battery according to the above configuration will be described in detail. The process of circulating after the electrolyte is supplied to the anode and the process of circulating after the electrolyte is supplied to the cathode are the same. Therefore, the action or effect when the electrolyte flows from the battery cell 10 to the electrolyte storage tank 20 below includes the action or effect when the electrolyte circulates on the anode side and when it circulates on the cathode side. It should be understood as.

Redox flow batteries have different physical or chemical properties of electrolytes during charging and discharging. Specifically, the physical properties, such as the density and viscosity of the electrolyte, and the electrical or chemical properties, such as the amount of charge, are different.

For example, if the charged electrolyte is a redox flow battery having a higher density than the discharged electrolyte, the density of the electrolyte in the battery cell increases during the charging process, and the density of the electrolyte recovered from the battery cell into the electrolyte storage tank is already in the electrolyte storage tank. Density is higher than the electrolyte stored in.

On the contrary, the density of the electrolyte solution in the battery cell during the discharge process is lowered, and the density of the permeate recovered from the battery cell into the electrolyte storage tank is lower than that of the electrolyte solution already stored in the electrolyte storage tank.

Since the redox flow battery is repeatedly charged and discharged, and the electrolyte solution causing the change in density coexists in the electrolyte storage tank, uniformly mixing the electrolyte solution in the electrolyte storage tank is very effective in the efficiency and life of the redox flow battery. It is important.

In the above-described embodiments, when the electrolyte solution that has been charged or discharged from the battery cell 10 flows back into the electrolyte storage tank 20, the electrolyte is uniformly distributed in the electrolyte storage tank 20 by the electrolyte distributor 60. It provides a mixing effect.

In addition, since the pressure for discharging the electrolyte from the electrolyte distributor 60 uses the pressure of the pressure providing unit 50 that provides pressure to circulate the electrolyte, a separate device is not required to spray the electrolyte. .

In addition, the present invention is a structure that induces mixing while the electrolyte is sprayed by the electrolyte distributor 60, and does not mix the electrolyte by driving the mechanism by a separate power source inside the electrolyte storage tank, so power to operate the separate mechanism The loss can be reduced and the efficiency of the redox flow battery can be improved.

Various active materials may be used for the electrolyte of the redox flow battery described above, and the difference in density during charging or discharging may vary depending on the composition of the electrolyte, so the change in density during charging or discharging may be opposite to the direction described above. have. In this case, it is possible to change the shape of the electrolyte distributor 60, the vertical arrangement or the injection direction to meet the object of the present invention.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention.

10... Battery cell 20... Electrolyte storage tank
21... Electrolyte storage tank for anode 22... Electrolyte storage tank for anode
30... Supply flow 40... Recovery flow
50... Pressure providing unit 60... Electrolytic solution distributor
61, 71... jet hole 62... horizontal bar
70... inner cylinder member 72... distribution channel

Claims (14)

A battery cell 10 provided with an anode and a cathode;
An electrolyte storage tank 20 for supplying the electrolyte to the anode and the cathode;
A supply passage 30 connecting the electrolyte storage tank 20 and the battery cell 10 so that the electrolyte is supplied from the electrolyte storage tank 20 to the battery cell 10;
A return passage 40 connecting the battery cell 10 and the electrolyte storage tank 20 so that the electrolyte solution is recovered from the battery cell 10 to the electrolyte storage tank 20;
A pressure providing unit 50 that provides a pressure for circulating the electrolyte between the electrolyte storage tank 20 and the battery cell 10;
Redox flow battery characterized in that it comprises;; an electrolyte distributor (60) is formed with a spray hole (61) for dispersing the electrolyte that enters the electrolyte storage tank (20). According to claim 1,
Redox flow battery, characterized in that the diameter of the injection hole 61 is smaller than the diameter of the recirculation passage (40). According to claim 1,
The electrolyte distributor 60 is provided on the upper side of the electrolyte storage tank 20,
The electrolyte is redox flow battery characterized in that the injection from the upper side to the lower side through the injection hole 61 of the electrolyte distributor (60). According to claim 1,
The electrolyte distributor 60 is formed in a plate shape, the injection hole 61 is a redox flow battery characterized in that it is formed spaced apart at regular intervals. According to claim 1,
The electrolyte distributor 60 is provided on the lower side of the electrolyte storage tank 20,
The electrolyte is redox flow battery characterized in that the injection from the lower side to the upper side through the injection hole 61 of the electrolyte distributor (60). The method of claim 5,
The electrolyte distributor 60 is a redox flow battery, characterized in that a plurality of spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The method of claim 5 or 6,
The electrolyte distributor 60 is formed in a plate shape, the injection hole 61 is a redox flow battery characterized in that it is formed spaced apart at regular intervals. According to claim 1,
The electrolyte distributor 60 is a redox flow battery, characterized in that rotates with respect to the recirculation flow path (40). The method of claim 8,
The electrolyte distributor 60 includes a horizontal bar (62),
At the center of the horizontal bar 62, the end of the recirculation passage 40 is coupled,
Based on the center of the horizontal bar 62, the injection direction of the electrolytic solution by the injection hole 61 formed on the left side disposed on the left side, and by the injection hole 61 formed on the right side disposed on the right side Redox flow battery characterized in that the injection direction of the electrolyte is opposite to each other. The method of claim 8,
Redox flow battery, characterized in that the injection direction of the electrolyte injected from the electrolyte distributor (60) through the injection hole (61) has a predetermined angle with a virtual plane on which the electrolyte distributor (60) is placed. According to claim 1,
The electrolyte distributor 60 includes a porous material,
The injection hole 61 is a redox flow battery, characterized in that the hole formed in the porous material. The method of claim 11,
The porous material is a redox flow battery, characterized in that the felt, fabric, or porous foam. According to claim 1,
The electrolyte distributor 60 is connected to the return passage 40 and extends while rotating in a spiral, and the injection hole 61 is formed to spray the electrolyte toward the center of the electrolyte storage tank 20 Redox flow battery characterized by. According to claim 1,
The electrolyte distributor 60 is disposed to have a predetermined interval inside the electrolyte storage tank 20, the inner cylinder member 70, a plurality of injection holes 71 provided in the inner cylinder member 70, and Redox flow battery, characterized in that it comprises a distribution passage 72 formed by the inner cylinder member and the electrolyte storage tank 20 are spaced apart from each other.

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