RU2710683C1 - Device for studying the structure and operating principle of a vanadium redox battery - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: education.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to training equipment in the field of power engineering and electrochemistry and can be used as a visual-methodological manual for conducting laboratory and practical classes in educational institutions when studying the course of chemistry, electrochemistry and alternative power engineering. Disclosed device is simulator for operation with flow-through vanadium redox battery. Device for studying vanadium redox battery includes housing in which power supply unit, control board and redox battery are installed, as well as two reservoirs for electrolyte, information display device, unit for change of connection type, unit of pumps and compressor. Number of pairs of connectors in the unit for changing the type of connection corresponds to the number of membrane-electrode units (MEU) in the battery. Outlets of each of the tanks are connected in series with the corresponding pump and then with corresponding inputs of the membrane-electrode battery unit, and outputs from the MEU are connected by tubes to the inlet of the corresponding reservoir. Compressor is connected in series to each of the tanks to form a closed circuit. Control board is electrically connected to the unit to change the connection type, information display unit, pump unit, compressor, power supply unit and battery.EFFECT: proposed invention is aimed at providing wide functional capabilities of teaching and methodological equipment, namely a stand for studying structure and operating principle of a vanadium redox battery.7 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The invention relates to teaching equipment in the field of energy and electrochemistry and can be used as a visual and methodological tool for conducting laboratory and practical classes in educational institutions when studying a course in chemistry, electrochemistry and alternative energy. The claimed device is a simulator for working with a flowing vanadium redox battery.

One of the predominant trends in the development of modern energy is the so-called "green energy". During the operation of the respective power plants, environmental pollution does not occur.

“Green Energy”, with all its advantages, has one serious drawback - an unstable amount of generated energy. To ensure uninterrupted operation of the power grid, devices are required for the intermediate storage of a significant amount of electricity. One solution is an energy storage system based on a technology known as a flow redox battery that uses liquid electrolyte as an energy carrier, for example, a solution of vanadium salts in an acidic environment.

However, the operation of these devices requires special knowledge and skills that are currently poorly developed among consumers. In this regard, additional coverage is required in educational programs or visual aids on the principle of operation of a vanadium redox battery. This is especially important for beginners (in particular, students).

From the prior art, no devices (stands) for visualizing the processes occurring during the operation of the vanadium redox battery have been identified.

The technical result, to which the claimed invention is directed, is to provide wide functional capabilities of educational and methodological equipment, namely a stand for studying the structure and principle of operation of a vanadium redox battery.

The specified technical result is achieved due to the fact that the device for studying the vanadium redox battery includes a housing in which the power supply is located, a control board for two electrolyte tanks (anolyte and catholyte, respectively), a means for displaying information, a unit for changing the type of connection, a unit pumps, compressor and electrochemical generator (ECG), which is a flowing redox battery (stack), consisting of membrane-electrode blocks. The number of pairs of connectors in the block for changing the type of connection corresponds to the number of membrane-electrode blocks (OIE) in the ECG (in the battery). The outlets of each of the reservoirs are connected in series through tubes to the corresponding pump and then to the corresponding inputs to the OIE ECG (batteries), the outlets from the OIE are connected to the inlet to the corresponding reservoir, the compressor is connected in series with each of the reservoirs with a closed loop. The control board is electrically connected (wired) to the unit for changing the type of connection, the means for displaying information, the pump unit, the compressor, the power supply and the battery. Through the unit for changing the type of connection, you can connect the selected number of OIE to the control board both in series and in parallel.

The device may also include means for entering data. Such a tool can be made in different variations. So, for example, it can be made in the form of an encoder, a separate unit, for example, a keyboard, or the function of pointing and entering on a touch screen (touch-screen), or a mouse connected via a USB port.

A flow splitter can be installed between the pump and the OIE.

The device can also be equipped with a voltage indicator.

Also, the device may further comprise a port for connecting an external load, which is necessary for connecting external devices or voltage and current converters.

The training and methodological stand simulating the operation of a flowing redox battery is designed to understand the specifics of battery operation in normal mode and in case of emergency, as well as to teach working methods and develop management and control skills as a result of continuous interactive interaction of students with controls, indicators , alarms and simulated redox batteries.

The claimed device is an educational interactive stand "Vanadium redox battery" serves as a clear demonstration of environmentally friendly technology for the accumulation of large volumes of electricity. For educational and practical purposes, the stand provides the ability to connect the membrane-electrode blocks in parallel or serial circuit, which allows you to control the values of the discharge current and voltage.

Optionally, the stand can be implemented to control the composition of the electrolyte by photometric methods.

The stand can (in addition to educational functions), be embedded in interactive models of cities and other infrastructure facilities, and can also be used as an interactive stationary charging station for devices with different power consumption. The stand can work effectively together with renewable energy sources, providing uninterrupted power supply.

Thus, the claimed combination of essential features provides wide functionality of the educational and methodical equipment (stand "Vanadium redox battery").

The proposed invention is illustrated by graphic materials, where in FIG. 1 shows a General view of the claimed device (stand);

In FIG. 2 - front view (option);

In FIG. 3 schematically shows the movement of liquids (anolyte and catholyte);

In FIG. 4 - schematically shows the movement of air.

The claimed device for studying the structure and principle of operation of a vanadium redox battery includes a housing 1, in which a power supply unit (not shown), a control board (not specified), an electrochemical generator 2 (redox battery from the OIE), two tanks 3 and 4, one of which is intended for anolyte, and the other for catholyte, a means 5 for displaying information, a unit 6 for changing the type of connection, a pump unit 7, necessary for pumping electrolyte and a compressor 11 that allows air to be passed through tanks 3 and 4 with electrolyte m, stirring it.

The outlet of the anolyte tank 3 by means of tubes is connected in series with one of the pumps 7a and then directly or through a flow splitter 8a with a corresponding entrance to the anode space of the OIE ECG 2, the outlet from the anode space of the OIE ECG is connected by a tube to the inlet of the anolyte tank 3. The output of the catholyte reservoir 4 is connected via tubes to another pump 7b and then directly or through a flow splitter 8b with a corresponding entrance to the cathode space of the OIE ECG 2, and the exit from the cathode space of the OIE is connected by a tube to the inlet of the catholyte reservoir 4. The compressor 11 is connected in series with the tanks 3 and 4 for the anolyte and catholyte in series with the formation of a closed loop. Air is pumped through the tubes 12 installed inside the tanks.

The number of pairs of connectors in the unit for changing the type of connection corresponds to the number of OIE in the ECG (in the battery).

So, for example, an ECG consisting of four OIE can produce a voltage of 5 to 10 watts.

Power is determined by the size of the battery from the OIE.

A means of displaying information 5 is necessary to ensure the visibility of ongoing processes in the operation of the proposed device.

Position 9 denotes a voltage indicator, and position 10 denotes a stand-alone means for entering data (a private embodiment of such a tool). The data input tool allows you to set the necessary operating modes. The monitor (means for displaying information) 5 displays the set parameters of the device and the measured values, such as, for example, electric current, voltage and power.

In total, the means of displaying information 5 and the means for entering data 10 allow you to choose the optimal parameters of the operating modes of the device. It should be noted that the data input means can be enclosed in a means of displaying information (touch-screen),

Electronic load allows you to simulate the consumer. Sometimes it is advisable to supplement the device with a port (terminal) for connecting an external load. This port allows you to measure voltage with third-party devices.

Position 13 indicates light illumination, for example, LED strip.

The proposed device has small dimensions (usually do not exceed 600 × 500 × 300 mm), which allows you to easily change its location, for example, transfer from one audience to another. The stand is quite compact, affordable and safe.

On the proposed device, it is possible to set such parameters as the electrolyte pumping rate, battery charge mode (galvanostatic, potentiostatic), charging current, charging voltage, type of connection. On the proposed device, it is possible to measure such parameters as current, voltage and power during charging and discharging (of each OIE or the entire battery), as well as to measure the I – V characteristics and I – V characteristics, optionally, the electrolyte composition by photometry.

At the proposed stand, it is possible to perform such laboratory work as:

- Removing the characteristic curves of the battery (VAC and VAC);

- The effect of the electrolyte feed rate on the specific power of the discharge;

- Determination of battery capacity and density of stored energy;

- Determination of the efficiency of a vanadium redox battery (Faraday, voltaic and energy efficiency);

- The effect of the type of connection of the OIE on the output parameters of the battery.

Claims (7)

1. A device for studying a vanadium redox battery, including a housing in which a power supply unit, a control board and a redox battery, two tanks, a means for displaying information, a unit for changing the type of connection, a pump unit and a compressor, the number of pairs of connectors per unit for changing the type of connection corresponds to the number of membrane-electrode blocks (OIE) in the battery, the outputs of each of the tanks through tubes are connected in series with the corresponding pump and then with the corresponding inputs in m battery-shaped electrode block, the outputs from the OIE are connected by tubes to the entrance to the corresponding tank, the compressor is connected by tubes to each of the tanks in series with the formation of a closed loop, while the control board is electrically connected to the unit for changing the connection type, information display means, pump block, compressor, power supply and battery. 2. The device according to p. 1, characterized in that it contains means for entering data. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for displaying information is made in conjunction with the data input means. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a flow splitter is installed between the pump and the OIE. 5. The device according to p. 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a voltage indicator. 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that additional tubes are installed inside the tanks. 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control board is electrically connected to the OIE.

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