阅读说明：本技术 氧化还原液流电池 (Redox flow battery ) 是由 巽辽多 加来宏一 池内淳夫 于 2020-02-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种氧化还原液流电池,具备积存电解液的罐和使所述电解液向电池单元流通的流通机构,其中,所述罐具有将所述罐的内部的空间区划为第一空间和第二空间的分隔部,所述流通机构具有经由所述电池单元而在所述第一空间与所述第二空间之间使所述电解液流通的流通路,所述分隔部由柔性的材料构成。(The present invention relates to a redox flow battery including a tank for storing an electrolyte and a flow mechanism for flowing the electrolyte to a battery cell, wherein the tank includes a partition portion for partitioning a space inside the tank into a first space and a second space, the flow mechanism includes a flow path for flowing the electrolyte between the first space and the second space via the battery cell, and the partition portion is made of a flexible material.)

1. A redox flow battery is provided with:

a tank for storing an electrolyte; and

a flow mechanism for causing the electrolyte to flow to the battery cell,

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the tank has a partition dividing a space inside the tank into a first space and a second space,

the flow mechanism has a flow path for circulating the electrolyte between the first space and the second space via the battery cell,

the partition is made of a flexible material.

2. The redox flow battery of claim 1,

the partition has an outer region provided on the entire periphery of the partition and an inner region surrounded by the outer region,

a region of the outside region that is in contact with the electrolyte is fixed substantially liquid-tightly with respect to an inner surface of the can,

the inner region changes the volume of the space between the first space and the second space so as to increase the volume of one of the first space and the second space and decrease the volume of the other of the first space and the second space in accordance with increase and decrease of the electrolyte in the first space and the second space.

3. The redox flow battery according to claim 1 or 2,

the circulation mechanism includes:

a first supply path that supplies the electrolyte in the first space to the battery cell;

a second supply path that supplies the electrolyte in the second space to the battery cell;

one supply-side connection path that connects downstream sides of the first supply path and the second supply path to the battery cell;

a first discharge passage that discharges the electrolyte that has passed through the battery cell into the first space;

a second discharge passage that discharges the electrolyte that has passed through the battery cell into the second space;

one discharge-side connecting passage connecting the upstream sides of the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage to the battery cell;

a supply-side switching valve provided at a connection portion between the first supply passage and the second supply passage and the supply-side connection passage, the supply-side switching valve switching between the flow of the electrolyte from the first supply passage to the supply-side connection passage and the flow of the electrolyte from the second supply passage to the supply-side connection passage; and

and a discharge-side switching valve provided at a connection portion between the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage and the discharge-side connection passage, the discharge-side switching valve switching between the flow of the electrolyte from the discharge-side connection passage to the first discharge passage and the flow of the electrolyte from the discharge-side connection passage to the second discharge passage.

4. A redox flow battery as claimed in claim 3,

a liquid amount detector for detecting at least one of the amount of the electrolyte in the first space and the amount of the electrolyte in the second space,

and a valve control unit for controlling the operations of the supply-side switching valve and the discharge-side switching valve based on the detection result of the liquid amount detection unit.

5. A redox flow battery as claimed in claim 3 having:

a presence/absence detection unit that detects presence/absence of a power request to a load to which power is supplied to the redox flow battery;

a calculation unit that calculates a state of charge of the electrolyte in the first space and a state of charge of the electrolyte in the second space; and

and a valve control unit that controls operations of the supply-side switching valve and the discharge-side switching valve based on a detection result of the presence/absence detection unit and a calculation result of the calculation unit.

6. A redox flow battery as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5,

the partition has an outer region provided on the entire periphery of the partition and an inner region surrounded by the outer region,

the outer region is fixed to a peripheral edge of a top plate of the tank, the partition is suspended from the top plate of the tank,

the first space and the second space are provided inside and outside the inside of the tank.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to redox flow batteries.

The present application claims the priority of japanese patent application 2019-035027, which is based on japanese application No. 2/27/2019, and the entire contents of the descriptions in the japanese application are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

The redox flow type secondary battery of patent document 1 has a structure using one long serpentine tube or spiral tube for storing an electrolyte, or a structure using 2 positive electrode liquid tanks and 2 negative electrode liquid tanks for storing an electrolyte. The serpentine tube and the spiral tube have lengths to such an extent that the electrolyte in each tube supplied to the battery cell and the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell to each tube do not mix with each other.

On the other hand, when 2 positive electrode liquid tanks are used, for example, the positive electrode electrolyte is supplied from one positive electrode liquid tank to the battery cell, and is discharged from the battery cell to the other positive electrode liquid tank. When all the positive electrode electrolyte in one of the positive electrode liquid tanks flows to the other positive electrode liquid tank, the pump is reversed, whereby the positive electrode electrolyte is supplied from the other positive electrode liquid tank to the battery cell and is discharged from the battery cell to the one positive electrode liquid tank. By using 2 of the electrode liquid tanks in each case, the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell and the electrolyte supplied to the battery cell are prevented from being mixed.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2-27666

Disclosure of Invention

The redox flow battery of the present disclosure includes:

a tank for storing an electrolyte; and

a flow mechanism for causing the electrolyte to flow to the battery cell,

wherein the tank has a partition dividing a space inside the tank into a first space and a second space,

the flow mechanism has a flow path for circulating the electrolyte between the first space and the second space via the battery cell,

the partition is made of a flexible material.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a redox flow battery of embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating a flow path of an electrolyte in the redox flow battery according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a flow path of an electrolyte in the redox flow battery according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a tank provided in the redox flow battery according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a tank and a flow mechanism provided in the redox flow battery according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another example of a tank and a flow mechanism provided in the redox flow battery according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating another example of a tank and a flow mechanism provided in the redox flow battery according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a redox flow battery of embodiment 3.

Detailed Description

[ problems to be solved by the present disclosure ]

The battery capacity of a redox flow battery and the amount of electrolyte have a proportional relationship. That is, if a redox flow battery having a large battery capacity is constructed, the amount of electrolyte increases. When the amount of the electrolyte increases, the length of the serpentine tube or the spiral tube increases. As a result, the pressure loss increases. If the length of the serpentine tube or the spiral tube is shortened by reducing the amount of the electrolytic solution, an increase in pressure loss is suppressed. However, the battery capacity of the redox flow battery becomes small. Further, when 2 tanks of the respective electrolytes are used as described above, even if the amount of the electrolyte is large, an increase in pressure loss is suppressed as compared with the case of using a spiral tube or the like. However, the installation area of the tank becomes large.

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a redox flow battery capable of suppressing mixing of an electrolyte discharged from a battery cell to a tank and an electrolyte in the tank without causing a decrease in battery capacity, an increase in pressure loss, and an increase in installation area.

[ Effect of the present disclosure ]

The redox flow battery of the present disclosure can suppress mixing of an electrolyte discharged from a battery cell to a tank and an electrolyte in the tank without causing a decrease in battery capacity, an increase in pressure loss, and an increase in installation area.

Description of embodiments of the present disclosure

First, embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplified for illustration.

(1) A redox flow battery according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:

a tank for storing an electrolyte; and

a flow mechanism for causing the electrolyte to flow to the battery cell,

wherein the tank has a partition dividing a space inside the tank into a first space and a second space,

the flow mechanism has a flow path for circulating the electrolyte between the first space and the second space via the battery cell,

the partition is made of a flexible material.

The above-described structure can suppress mixing of the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell to the can and the electrolyte in the can by one can at each position without using the serpentine tube, the spiral tube, or two cans at each position as in the conventional case. The reason is that: by providing the partition portion partitioning the interior of the can, the electrolyte supplied to the battery cell can be stored in one of the first space and the second space, and the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell can be stored in the other space. By suppressing the mixing of the electrolytic solution, the averaging of the charged state of the electrolytic solution is suppressed. Therefore, the above configuration can suppress the increase in continuity of the battery resistance. Thus, the above structure can improve the battery efficiency, i.e., the charge and discharge efficiency.

The above-described structure does not cause a decrease in battery capacity, an increase in pressure loss, and an increase in installation area. The reason is that: as described above, the conventional serpentine tube, spiral tube, or two tanks may be used at each stage. And because: since the partition portion in the divided tank is made of a flexible material, the tank having a large volume can be eliminated.

(2) As one mode of the redox flow battery, there may be mentioned:

the partition has an outer region provided on the entire periphery of the partition and an inner region surrounded by the outer region,

a region of the outside region that is in contact with the electrolyte is fixed substantially liquid-tightly with respect to an inner surface of the can,

the inner region changes the volume of the space between the first space and the second space so as to increase the volume of one of the first space and the second space and decrease the volume of the other of the first space and the second space in accordance with increase and decrease of the electrolyte in the first space and the second space.

In the above configuration, since the outer region is substantially liquid-tightly fixed to the inner surface of the can, mixing of the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell to the can and the electrolyte in the can be further suppressed by one can at each position. The above-described structure does not cause a decrease in battery capacity, an increase in pressure loss, and an increase in installation area. The reason is that: the volumes of the first space and the second space can be changed by the inner area.

(3) As one mode of the redox flow battery, there may be mentioned:

the circulation mechanism includes:

a first supply path that supplies the electrolyte in the first space to the battery cell;

a second supply path that supplies the electrolyte in the second space to the battery cell;

one supply-side connection path that connects downstream sides of the first supply path and the second supply path to the battery cell;

a first discharge passage that discharges the electrolyte that has passed through the battery cell into the first space;

a second discharge passage that discharges the electrolyte that has passed through the battery cell into the second space;

one discharge-side connecting passage connecting the upstream sides of the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage to the battery cell;

a supply-side switching valve provided at a connection portion between the first supply passage and the second supply passage and the supply-side connection passage, the supply-side switching valve switching between the flow of the electrolyte from the first supply passage to the supply-side connection passage and the flow of the electrolyte from the second supply passage to the supply-side connection passage; and

and a discharge-side switching valve provided at a connection portion between the first discharge passage and the second discharge passage and the discharge-side connection passage, the discharge-side switching valve switching between the flow of the electrolyte from the discharge-side connection passage to the first discharge passage and the flow of the electrolyte from the discharge-side connection passage to the second discharge passage.

The above-described structure can suppress mixing of the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell to the can and the electrolyte in the can at each pole. The reason is that: by having the supply-side switching valve and the discharge-side switching valve, the electrolyte accumulated in one of the first space and the second space can be discharged to the other space through the battery cell.

(4) As one mode of the redox flow battery having the supply-side switching valve and the discharge-side switching valve, there may be mentioned:

a liquid amount detector for detecting at least one of the amount of the electrolyte in the first space and the amount of the electrolyte in the second space,

and a valve control unit for controlling the operations of the supply-side switching valve and the discharge-side switching valve based on the detection result of the liquid amount detection unit.

The above-described structure can suppress mixing of the electrolyte discharged from the battery cell to the can and the electrolyte in the can at each pole. The reason is that: the switching of the flow of the electrolyte can be performed after substantially all of the electrolyte stored in one of the first space and the second space passes through the battery cell and flows into the other space.

(5) As one mode of the redox flow battery having the supply-side switching valve and the discharge-side switching valve, there may be mentioned: comprising:

a presence/absence detection unit that detects presence/absence of a power request to a load to which power is supplied to the redox flow battery;

a calculation unit that calculates a state of charge of the electrolyte in the first space and a state of charge of the electrolyte in the second space; and

and a valve control unit that controls operations of the supply-side switching valve and the discharge-side switching valve based on a detection result of the presence/absence detection unit and a calculation result of the calculation unit.

The above-described structure enables charging and discharging according to the presence or absence of a power demand of a load. The reason is that: the switching of the flow of the electrolyte can be performed before substantially all of the electrolyte stored in one of the first space and the second space passes through the battery cell and flows into the other space.

(6) As one mode of the redox flow battery, there may be mentioned:

the partition has an outer region provided on the entire periphery of the partition and an inner region surrounded by the outer region,

the outer region is fixed to a peripheral edge of a top plate of the tank, the partition is suspended from the top plate of the tank,

the first space and the second space are provided inside and outside the inside of the tank.

The above-described structure is excellent in the workability of manufacturing the tank having the partition portion. The reason is that: the outer region may be fixed only to the top plate. And because: the outer region can be fixed to the top plate in a state where the top plate is removed from the tank.

Detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure

Details of embodiments of the present disclosure are described below. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same items.

EXAMPLE 1

[ Redox flow battery ]

A redox flow battery of embodiment 1 is described with reference to fig. 1 to 4. Hereinafter, the redox flow battery is sometimes referred to as an RF battery 1. The RF battery 1 includes a tank 3 for storing an electrolyte 4 and a flow mechanism 5 for flowing the electrolyte 4 to a battery cell 10. One of the features of the RF battery 1 is that it has a specific partition 36 that partitions the inside of the can 3 into the first space 31 and the second space 32. Hereinafter, an outline of the RF battery 1 will be described, and thereafter, each configuration of the RF battery 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[ outline of RF Battery ]

The RF battery 1 is typically connected between the power generation unit 110 and the load 130 via the ac/dc converter 100 and the substation device 120, charges and stores electric power generated by the power generation unit 110, and discharges and supplies the stored electric power to the load 130 (fig. 1). The solid arrows in fig. 1 extending from the power transformation device 120 toward the ac/dc converter 100 indicate charging. The dashed arrow in fig. 1 extending from the ac/dc converter 100 toward the power transformation device 120 means a discharge. Examples of the power generation unit 110 include a solar power generation device, a wind power generation device, and other general power plants. Examples of the load 130 include a power consumer. The RF battery 1 uses an electrolyte 4 containing a metal ion whose valence changes by oxidation-reduction as an active material as a positive electrode electrolyte and a negative electrode electrolyte. The RF battery 1 is charged and discharged by using the difference between the oxidation-reduction potential of the ions contained in the positive electrode electrolyte and the oxidation-reduction potential of the ions contained in the negative electrode electrolyte. Examples of the metal ion include a vanadium ion, a titanium ion, and a manganese ion. Examples of the solvent of the electrolytic solution 4 include an aqueous solution containing 1 or more kinds of acids or acid salts selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid. The RF battery 1 is used for, for example, load balancing, instantaneous low voltage compensation, emergency power supply, and other applications, and for smoothing output of natural energy such as solar power generation and wind power generation, which are being vigorously pursued.

[ tank ]

The tank 3 stores an electrolyte 4 (fig. 1) that flows through the battery cell 10. Fig. 1 shows only the positive electrode can 3. The negative electrode can is not shown in fig. 1. The negative electrode can has the same structure as the positive electrode can 3. The size of the can 3 can be appropriately selected according to the battery capacity. The shape of the tank 3 may be a rectangular parallelepiped shape as in this example, or may be a cylindrical shape.

The tank 3 includes a top plate 33, a bottom plate 34, a side plate 35, and a partition 36 described later. Examples of the material of the top plate 33, the bottom plate 34, and the side plate 35 include resin and rubber that do not react with the electrolyte 4 and have excellent resistance to the electrolyte 4. Examples of the resin include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the like. In addition, the top plate 33, the bottom plate 34, and the side plate 35 may be formed of a plate-shaped member made of steel and a plate having a coating layer covering a contact portion with the electrolyte 4 in the plate-shaped member. The material of the coating layer may be the resin or rubber described above. The thicknesses of the top plate 33, the bottom plate 34, and the side plate 35 are, for example, 5mm to 50mm, more preferably 10mm to 40mm, and particularly preferably 15mm to 30 mm. The thickness is the thickness of the resin or rubber when each plate is made of the resin or rubber, and the total thickness of the plate-shaped member and the coating layer when each plate includes the plate-shaped member and the coating layer.

(partition part)

The partition 36 partitions the space inside the tank 3 into the first space 31 and the second space 32. The material of the partition 36 is not reactive with the electrolyte 4, is flexible, and has excellent resistance against the electrolyte 4. The partition 36 made of a flexible material means at least 1 member satisfying softness, flexibility, no breakage even when bent, and stretchability to some extent. That is, the partition 36 has a property of being deformed so as to increase the volume of one of the first space 31 and the second space 32 and decrease the volume of the other thereof in accordance with increase and decrease of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32. Specific examples of the material of the partition 36 include the above-mentioned resin and rubber. The partition 36 is formed of one flexible sheet in the present embodiment. The sheet has a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface. The first and second faces face each other. The third surface connects the first surface and the second surface.

The thickness of the partition 36 is, for example, 0.006mm to 0.2 mm. The thickness of the partition 36 refers to the length between the first surface and the second surface of the sheet when the partition 36 is formed of the sheet as in this embodiment. If the thickness of the partition portion 36 is 0.2mm or less, the partition portion 36 is not excessively thick, and thus the above characteristics are excellent. That is, the partition portion 36 can be expanded or deformed by increasing or decreasing the amount of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32. If the thickness of the partition portion 36 is 0.15mm or less, the above-described characteristics of the partition portion 36 are more excellent. If the thickness of the partition portion 36 is 0.006mm or more, the partition portion 36 is not too thin, and therefore, the partition portion is not easily broken even if the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32 is expanded or deformed by increase or decrease. If the thickness of the partition portion 36 is 0.03mm or more, the partition portion 36 is more difficult to break. The thickness of the partition portion 36 is further 0.03mm to 0.13mm, and particularly 0.06mm to 0.1 mm.

The partition 36 has an outer region 361 and an inner region 362, which will be described later in detail. The outer region 361 is provided around the entire periphery of the partition 36. That is, the outer region 361 is provided on the entire periphery of the first surface and the entire periphery of the second surface of the sheet. The outer region 361 is a region having a constant width, i.e., the entire periphery of the first surface and the entire periphery of the second surface. Inner region 362 is surrounded by outer region 361. That is, the inner region 362 is surrounded by the outer region 361 on the first surface of the sheet, and is surrounded by the outer region 361 on the second surface of the sheet.

< outer region >

The outer region 361 fixes the partition 36 to the inner surface of the tank 3. Specifically, a region of outer region 361 that is in contact with electrolyte solution 4 is fixed to the inner surface of can 3. Of course, the outer region 361 may be fixed to the inner surface of the tank 3 over the entire circumference thereof. The method of fixing outer region 361 to tank 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can be fixed to the inner surface of tank 3 substantially in a liquid-tight manner. Substantially liquid-tightly fixing means: if the amount of electrolyte 4 is small enough not to affect the state of charge of electrolyte 4, movement from one of first space 31 and second space 32 to the other is allowed via outer region 361. The amount of the electrolyte 4 to be moved is preferably as small as possible, and is preferably not at all. By substantially liquid-tightly fixing the outer region 361, the partition 36 can substantially seal, preferably completely seal, the space between the first space 31 and the second space 32. Therefore, the partition 36 can suppress mixing of the electrolytic solution 4 in the first space 31 and the electrolytic solution 4 in the second space 32. In this embodiment, outer region 361 is fixed to the inner surface of can 3 substantially in a liquid-tight manner over the entire circumference thereof. Examples of the fixing method of the outer region 361 include welding, fusion welding, and adhesion using an adhesive.

The fixing position of the outer region 361 is not particularly limited as long as the first space 31 and the second space 32 can be formed so as to store the same amount of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32, and can be appropriately selected. The fixing portion of the outer region 361 is preferably set to a position where the volume of the first space 31 and the volume of the second space 32 are equal to each other. The fixed location of the outer region 361 is the top plate 33 (fig. 4) in this example. Specifically, the outer region 361 is fixed to the peripheral region of the top plate 33 of the tank 3 over the entire periphery thereof. The outer region 361 is fixed to the top plate 33, and the tank 3 having the partition portion 36 is excellent in the manufacturing workability. The reason is that: outer region 361 may be fixed only to top plate 33. And because: the outer region 361 can be fixed to the top plate 33 with the top plate 33 detached from the side plate 35. The partition 36 is suspended from the top plate 33 by fixing the outer region 361 to the top plate 33. And, the first space 31 and the second space 32 are formed inside and outside the inside of the can 3.

< inner region >

The inner region 362 preferably changes the volume of the first space 31 and the second space 32 in accordance with increase and decrease of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32 (fig. 1). Specifically, the inner region 362 increases the volume of one of the first space 31 and the second space 32 and decreases the volume of the other. Since the partition 36 is made of a flexible material, the inner region 362 is biased toward one of the first space 31 and the second space 32 or extends toward one of the first space 31 and the second space 32. Thus, the inner region 362 can change the volume of the first space 31 and the second space 32.

[ circulation mechanism ]

The flow mechanism 5 causes the electrolyte 4 to flow to the battery cell 10. The flow mechanism 5 has a flow path through which the electrolyte 4 flows between the first space 31 and the second space 32 via the battery cell 10. The flow mechanism 5 of the present embodiment includes a first supply passage 51s, a second supply passage 52s, a supply-side connecting passage 53s, a supply-side switching valve 54s, a first discharge passage 51d, a second discharge passage 52d, a discharge-side connecting passage 53d, a discharge-side switching valve 54d, and a pump 55. Fig. 1 shows only the flow mechanism 5 for the positive electrode. The illustration of the negative electrode flow mechanism is omitted in fig. 1. The negative electrode flow mechanism can be configured to be the same as the positive electrode flow mechanism 5.

The first supply path 51s supplies the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 of the tank 3 to the battery cell 10. The upstream side of the first supply passage 51s opens into the first space 31. When the electrolytic solution 4 is accumulated in the first space 31, the upstream side of the first supply passage 51s opens into the electrolytic solution 4 (fig. 1). The downstream of the first supply passage 51s is connected to the supply-side connecting passage 53 s.

The second supply path 52s supplies the electrolyte 4 in the second space 32 of the tank 3 to the battery cell 10. The upstream side of the second supply path 52s opens into the second space 32. When the electrolyte 4 is accumulated in the second space 32, the upstream side of the second supply passage 52s opens into the electrolyte 4 (fig. 2 and 3). The downstream of the second supply path 52s is connected to the supply-side connecting path 53 s.

The supply-side connecting passage 53s connects the downstream sides of the first supply passage 51s and the second supply passage 52s to the battery unit 10. The electrolyte 4 flowing through the first supply path 51s or the second supply path 52s is supplied to the battery cell 10 through the supply-side connection path 53 s.

The supply-side switching valve 54s opens one of the first supply passage 51s and the second supply passage 52s and closes the other. That is, the supply-side switching valve 54s switches between the flow of the electrolytic solution 4 from the first supply passage 51s to the supply-side connecting passage 53s and the flow of the electrolytic solution 4 from the second supply passage 52s to the supply-side connecting passage 53 s. The installation location of the supply-side switching valve 54s includes the connection location of the first supply passage 51s and the second supply passage 52s with the supply-side connection passage 53 s. The supply-side switching valve 54s is, for example, a three-way valve.

The first discharge passage 51d discharges the electrolyte 4 having passed through the battery cell 10 into the first space 31. The upstream side of the first discharge passage 51d is connected to the discharge-side connecting passage 53 d. The downstream of the first discharge passage 51d opens into the first space 31. When the electrolyte 4 is accumulated in the first space 31, the downstream of the first discharge passage 51d is opened to the gas phase portion in the first space 31 (fig. 1).

The second discharge passage 52d discharges the electrolyte 4 having passed through the battery cell 10 into the second space 32. The upstream of the second discharge passage 52d is connected to the discharge-side connecting passage 53 d. The downstream of the second discharge passage 52d opens into the second space 32. When the electrolyte 4 is accumulated in the second space 32, the downstream of the second discharge passage 52d opens to the gas phase portion in the second space 32 (fig. 2 and 3).

The discharge-side connecting passage 53d connects the upstream sides of the first discharge passage 51d and the second discharge passage 52d to the battery unit 10. The electrolyte 4 discharged from the battery cell 10 flows through the first discharge passage 51d or the second discharge passage 52d via the discharge-side connecting passage 53 d.

The discharge-side switching valve 54d opens one of the first discharge passage 51d and the second discharge passage 52d and closes the other. That is, the discharge-side switching valve 54d switches between the flow of the electrolyte 4 from the discharge-side connecting passage 53d to the first discharge passage 51d and the flow of the electrolyte 4 from the discharge-side connecting passage 53d to the second discharge passage 52 d. The discharge-side switching valve 54d is provided at a position connecting the discharge-side connecting passage 53d with the first discharge passage 51d and the second discharge passage 52 d. The type of the discharge-side switching valve 54d is, for example, a three-way valve, as in the case of the supply-side switching valve 54 s.

The first supply path 51s, the second supply path 52s, the supply-side connection path 53s, the first discharge path 51d, the second discharge path 52d, and the discharge-side connection path 53d may be formed of, for example, a resin pipe or a coated pipe. Examples of the material of the resin tube include polyvinyl chloride. The coating tube includes a metal tubular member and a coating layer covering a contact portion of the tubular member with the electrolyte 4. The tubular member can be, for example, a stainless steel pipe. Examples of the material of the coating layer include a material that does not react with the electrolyte solution 4 and has excellent resistance to the electrolyte solution 4. Specific materials of the coating layer include the same resins and rubbers as those of the tank 3.

The pump 55 pumps the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 or the second space 32 to the second space 32 or the first space 31 through the battery cell 10. The location where the pump 55 is provided is midway in the supply-side connecting passage 53s in this example. During the charge/discharge operation, the pump 55 is driven. This will be explained in the control section 65 described later. During standby without charging and discharging, the pump 55 is stopped. During this standby, the electrolyte 4 is not pumped. The type of the pump 55 can be appropriately selected, and for example, a self-priming pump is exemplified.

The supply-side switching valve 54s, the discharge-side switching valve 54d, and the pump 55 are controlled by a control mechanism 6 described later.

[ control mechanism ]

The control mechanism 6 controls the flow of the electrolytic solution 4 in the first space 31 and the flow of the electrolytic solution 4 in the second space 32 based on the amounts of the electrolytic solution in the first space 31 and the second space 32. The control mechanism 6 of the present embodiment includes a liquid amount detection unit and a control unit 65.

(liquid amount detection unit)

The liquid amount detector detects at least one of the amount of the electrolyte in the first space 31 and the amount of the electrolyte in the second space 32. In this embodiment, the liquid amount detector includes a first liquid amount detector 61 for detecting the amount of the electrolyte in the first space 31 and a second liquid amount detector 62 for detecting the amount of the electrolyte in the second space 32. In fig. 2 and 3, the first liquid amount detection unit 61 and the second liquid amount detection unit 62 are not shown for convenience of explanation. For example, the first liquid amount detector 61 detects whether or not the amount of the electrolyte in the first space 31 is substantially zero. Similarly, the second liquid amount detection unit 62 detects whether or not the amount of the electrolyte in the second space 32 is substantially zero.

Examples of the types of the first liquid amount detection unit 61 and the second liquid amount detection unit 62 include a switch and a sensor. Examples of the switch include a float type liquid level switch. Examples of the sensor include a liquid level sensor and a liquid level sensor of a float type, a capacitance type, an optical type, an ultrasonic type, and the like. The detection results of the first liquid amount detection unit 61 and the second liquid amount detection unit 62 are sent to the control unit 65.

(control section)

The control unit 65 includes a valve control unit 651 and a pump control unit 652. The control unit 65 may be a computer, for example.

< valve control section >

The valve control unit 651 controls the operations of the supply-side switching valve 54s and the discharge-side switching valve 54d based on the detection result of the liquid amount detection unit. The valve control unit 651 operates the supply-side switching valve 54s so that one of the first and second supply passages 51s and 52s is opened and the other is closed. The valve control unit 651 also operates the discharge-side switching valve 54d so that one of the first discharge passage 51d and the second discharge passage 52d is opened and the other is closed.

< Pump control Unit >

The pump control portion 652 controls the driving of the pump 55 based on the detection result of the liquid amount detection portion. In other words, the control by the pump control unit 652 is performed in conjunction with the control of the supply-side switching valve 54s and the discharge-side switching valve 54d by the valve control unit 651. The pump control portion 652 drives or stops the pump 55.

(control Process)

A control process of the control unit 65 for the flow of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 and the flow of the electrolyte 4 in the second space 32 will be described. The description here is given by taking as an example the case of charging the electrolytic solution 4.

< first Process >

As shown in fig. 1, when substantially all of the electrolyte 4 is accumulated in the first space 31 and substantially no electrolyte 4 is accumulated in the second space 32, the second liquid amount detection unit 62 detects that the amount of the electrolyte in the second space 32 is zero. Based on the detection result, the valve control unit 651 operates the supply-side switching valve 54s so as to open the first supply passage 51s and close the second supply passage 52 s. The valve control unit 651 also operates the discharge-side switching valve 54d so as to open the second discharge passage 52d and close the first discharge passage 51 d. The pump control unit 652 drives the pump 55 in conjunction with the control of the valve control unit 651. By this control, the electrolyte 4 stored in the first space 31 is supplied to the battery cell 10 through the first supply passage 51s and the supply-side connecting passage 53s in this order, and is charged. The electrolyte 4 charged in the battery cell 10 is discharged from the battery cell 10 into the second space 32 through the discharge-side connecting passage 53d and the second discharge passage 52d in this order (fig. 2). The valve control unit 651 and the pump control unit 652 maintain the states of the supply-side switching valve 54s, the discharge-side switching valve 54d, and the pump 55 until substantially all of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 is fed into the second space 32 as shown in fig. 3, that is, until the first liquid amount detection unit 61 (fig. 1) detects that the amount of the electrolyte in the first space 31 is zero. In this way, all of the electrolyte 4 after the rise in the charged state is accumulated in the second space 32. When all of the electrolyte 4 after the rise in the charged state is accumulated in the second space 32, the pump control unit 652 stops the pump 55.

< second Process >

As shown in fig. 3, when substantially all of the electrolyte 4 is accumulated in the second space 32 and substantially no electrolyte 4 is accumulated in the first space 31, the first liquid amount detector 61 (fig. 1) detects that the amount of the electrolyte in the first space 31 is zero. Based on the detection result, the valve control unit 651 performs control so as to perform a step opposite to the first step. That is, the valve control unit 651 operates the supply-side switching valve 54s so as to open the second supply passage 52s and close the first supply passage 51 s. The valve control unit 651 also operates the discharge-side switching valve 54d so as to open the first discharge passage 51d and close the second discharge passage 52 d. The pump control portion 652 drives the pump 55. By this control, the electrolyte 4 stored in the second space 32 is supplied to the battery cell 10 through the second supply passage 52s and the supply-side connecting passage 53s in this order, and is charged. The electrolyte 4 charged in the battery cell 10 is discharged from the battery cell 10 into the first space 31 through the discharge-side connecting passage 53d and the first discharge passage 51d in this order (fig. 2). The valve control unit 651 and the pump control unit 652 maintain the states of the supply-side switching valve 54s, the discharge-side switching valve 54d, and the pump 55 until substantially all of the electrolyte 4 in the second space 32 is fed into the first space 31 as shown in fig. 1, that is, until the second liquid amount detection unit 62 detects that the amount of electrolyte in the second space 32 is zero. In this way, all of the electrolyte 4 after the rise in the charged state is accumulated in the first space 31.

The controller 65 repeats the first step and the second step until the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 reaches full charge. When the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 reaches the full charge, the control unit 65 ends the first step and the second step.

When the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 reaches the full charge due to one or two passes of the battery cell 10, the control unit 65 may not repeat the first step and the second step. In this case, the control unit 65 may perform only at least one of the first step and the second step.

[ Battery cell ]

The battery cell 10 is separated into a positive electrode cell and a negative electrode cell by a separator that allows hydrogen ions to permeate therethrough. The separator, the positive electrode cell, and the negative electrode cell are not shown. The positive electrode unit incorporates a positive electrode. The positive electrode electrolyte is circulated from the tank 3 to the positive electrode cell by the circulation mechanism 5. The negative electrode unit incorporates a negative electrode. The negative electrode electrolyte is circulated from the negative electrode can to the negative electrode cell by the circulation mechanism 5. The battery cell 10 is generally formed inside a structure called a battery pack 20.

[ Battery pack ]

The battery pack 20 is composed of a laminate called a sub-pack, 2 end plates sandwiching the laminate from both sides thereof, and a fastening mechanism fastening both end plates. The laminate, the end plate, and the fastening mechanism are not shown. The number of subgroups may be single or plural. The sub-unit includes a laminate in which a plurality of cell frames, positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes are laminated in this order, and supply/discharge plates disposed at both ends of the laminate. The cell frame has a bipolar plate and a frame body surrounding the outer peripheral edge of the bipolar plate. One cell 10 is formed between the bipolar plates of adjacent cell frames. The positive electrode and the negative electrode of the adjacent battery cells 10 are arranged on the front and back sides with the bipolar plate interposed therebetween, and the positive electrode cell and the negative electrode cell are arranged. The frame of the cell frame has a liquid supply manifold and a liquid supply slit for supplying the electrolyte 4 to the inside of the cell 10, and a liquid discharge manifold and a liquid discharge slit for discharging the electrolyte 4 to the outside of the cell 10. Between the frames, an annular sealing member such as an O-ring or a flat gasket is disposed in an annular sealing groove, thereby suppressing leakage of the electrolyte 4 from the battery cell 10. The battery cell 10 and the battery pack 20 can have a known structure.

[ effect ] of action

The RF battery 1 of the present embodiment can suppress mixing of the electrolyte 4 discharged from the battery cell 10 to the can 3 and the electrolyte 4 in the can 3 by one can 3 at each position without using a serpentine tube, a spiral tube, or two cans at each position as in the conventional art. The reason is that: since the partition portion 36 for partitioning the inside of the can 3 is provided, the electrolyte 4 supplied to the battery cell 10 can be stored in one of the first space 31 and the second space 32, and the electrolyte 4 discharged from the battery cell 10 can be stored in the other space. In addition, the reason is that: by having the supply-side switching valve 54s and the discharge-side switching valve 54d, the electrolyte 4 stored in one of the first space 31 and the second space 32 can be discharged to the other space through the battery cell 10. And because: by providing the valve control unit 651, it is possible to switch the flow of the electrolyte 4 after substantially all of the electrolyte 4 stored in one of the first space 31 and the second space 32 passes through the battery cell 10 and flows into the other space.

Further, the RF battery 1 of the present embodiment does not cause a decrease in battery capacity, an increase in pressure loss, and an increase in installation area. This is because: as mentioned above, there is no need to use the usual serpentine tubes, spiral tubes or two cans at each pole. And because: the partition 36 in the partitioned tank 3 is made of a flexible material, and the volumes of the first space 31 and the second space 32 can be changed by the inner region 362, whereby the tank 3 having a large volume can be eliminated.

EXAMPLE 2

[ Redox flow battery ]

In embodiment 1, the first space 31 and the second space 32 are provided inside and outside the tank 3 by the partition 36. In embodiment 2, a mode in which the first space 31 and the second space 32 are formed at different positions from the RF battery 1 of embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 5 to 7. That is, the RF battery 1 of embodiment 2 differs from the RF battery 1 of embodiment 1 in the fixing position of the outer region 361. The following description is mainly focused on differences from embodiment 1. The description of the same structure as that of embodiment 1 is omitted. These points are also the same in embodiment 3 described later. In fig. 5 to 7, the electrolytic solution is omitted for convenience of explanation.

[ tank ]

(partition part)

As shown in fig. 5, the outer region 361 may be fixed to the top plate 33, the side plate 35, and the bottom plate 34 so that the first space 31 and the second space 32 are provided on the left and right sides of the inside of the tank 3. As shown in fig. 6, the outer region 361 may be fixed over the entire periphery of the side plate 35 so that the first space 31 and the second space 32 are provided above and below the interior of the tank 3. As shown in fig. 7, the outer region 361 may be fixed to corners of the top plate 33 and the side plate 35, and corners of the side plate 35 and the bottom plate 34 so that the first space 31 and the second space 32 are provided at diagonal positions in the tank 3.

[ effect ] of action

In the RF battery 1 of the present embodiment, as in the RF battery 1 of embodiment 1, mixing of the electrolyte 4 discharged from the battery cell 10 to the can 3 and the electrolyte 4 in the can 3 can be suppressed without causing a decrease in battery capacity, an increase in pressure loss, and an increase in installation area.

EXAMPLE 3

[ Redox flow battery ]

In embodiment 1, the embodiment has been described in which the timing at which the valve control unit 651 switches the flow of the electrolyte 4 is such that substantially all of the electrolyte 4 stored in one of the first space 31 and the second space 32 flows through the battery cell 10 into the other space. An embodiment in which the above timing is different from that of the RF battery 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 8 in the RF battery 1 according to embodiment 3. Specifically, one of the timings is before substantially all of the electrolyte 4 stored in one space passes through the battery cell 10 and flows into the other space. That is, one of the timings is a middle of the flow of the electrolyte 4 accumulated in one space into the other space through the battery cell 10.

(control section)

The control unit 65 includes a presence/absence detection unit 653 and a calculation unit 654 in addition to the valve control unit 651 and the pump control unit 652 similar to those of embodiment 1. The valve control unit 651 according to this embodiment controls the operations of the supply-side switching valve 54s and the discharge-side switching valve 54d based on the detection result of the presence/absence detecting unit 653 and the calculation result of the calculating unit 654. The valve control unit 651 operates the supply-side switching valve 54s so that one of the first supply passage 51s and the second supply passage 52s is opened and the other is closed, as described above. The valve control unit 651 also operates the discharge-side switching valve 54d so that one of the first discharge passage 51d and the second discharge passage 52d is opened and the other is closed. The pump control unit 652 drives the pump 55 in conjunction with the valve control unit 651, as described above.

< detection section for Presence/absence >

The presence/absence detecting unit 653 detects the presence/absence of a power request from the load 130. In the case where the detection result is present, the RF battery 1 is discharged. In the case where the detection result is none, the RF battery 1 is charged. The presence or absence of the power demand of the load 130 can be detected based on the operation of the ac/dc converter 100 caused by a command or the like by the self-power supply command.

< calculating section >

The calculation unit 654 calculates the state of charge (SOC) of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 and the state of charge (SOC) of the electrolyte 4 in the second space 32. The state of charge of the electrolyte 4 is determined by the measuring section 10 m.

In this embodiment, the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 supplied to the battery cell 10 and the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 having passed through the battery cell 10 are calculated using the measurement units 10m provided upstream and downstream of the battery cell 10. The upstream-side measuring unit 10m is provided in the middle of the branch line 56s branching from the supply-side connecting line 53 s. The electrolyte 4 having passed through the upstream measuring unit 10m returns to the supply-side connecting passage 53s and is sent to the battery cell 10. The downstream-side measuring unit 10m is provided in the middle of the branch path 56d branching from the discharge-side connecting path 53 d. The electrolyte 4 having passed through the downstream measuring unit 10m is returned to the discharge-side connecting passage 53d and is sent to the tank 3. Only one of the positive and negative electrolytes 4 is supplied to both measuring units 10 m. Fig. 8 shows a configuration in which the positive electrode electrolyte is supplied to each measuring unit 10 m. In the negative electrode electrolyte flow mechanism, the same measurement portions are provided upstream and downstream of the battery cell 10. The measurement unit in the negative electrolyte flow mechanism is not shown.

The standard electrodes 10r having known potentials are connected to the upstream measuring section 10m and the downstream measuring section 10m, respectively. For the standard electrode 10r, for example, a saturated KCl silver chloride electrode (Ag/AgCl/saturated KCl solution) can be used. Voltage measuring portions 10v for measuring the absolute potential of the electrolyte are provided between the upstream measuring portion 10m and the standard electrode 10r and between the downstream measuring portion 10m and the standard electrode 10r, respectively. As the voltage measuring unit 10v, a voltmeter can be used. The measurement result of each voltage measuring unit 10v is transmitted to the calculating unit 654 and used for calculating the state of charge of the electrolyte 4. The operation is performed by a computer.

The valve control unit 651 controls the supply-side switching valve 54s and the discharge-side switching valve 54d to determine which of the first space 31 and the second space 32 the electrolyte 4 flows through. The state of charge of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32 is determined based on the calculated state of charge of the electrolyte 4 and the flow path of the electrolyte 4 configured by the control of the supply-side switching valve 54s and the discharge-side switching valve 54 d.

Instead of using the measuring section 10m and the reference electrode 10r, the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 may be determined by providing monitoring means having the same configuration as the battery cell 10 at each of the upstream and downstream sides of the battery cell 10 and measuring the open circuit potential of the monitoring means. The measured open circuit potential is transmitted to the calculation unit 654 and used for calculating the state of charge of the electrolyte 4.

(control Process)

When the presence/absence detecting unit 653 detects a certain condition, the calculating unit 654 calculates the state of charge of the electrolytic solution 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32. The valve control unit 651 controls the operations of the supply-side switching valve 54s and the discharge-side switching valve 54d so that the electrolyte 4 having a higher state of charge of the electrolytes 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32 flows through the battery cell 10. For example, when the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 is high, the valve control unit 651 operates the supply-side switching valve 54s so as to open the first supply passage 51s and close the second supply passage 52 s. The valve control unit 651 also operates the discharge-side switching valve 54d so as to open the second discharge passage 52d and close the first discharge passage 51 d. At this time, the pump control unit 652 stops the pump 55 once before the start of the control by the valve control unit 651, and drives the pump 55 after the completion of the control by the valve control unit 651. By this control, the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 is supplied to the battery cell 10 through the first supply passage 51s and the supply-side connecting passage 53s in this order, and is discharged. The electrolyte 4 discharged from the battery cell 10 and having a decreased state of charge is discharged into the second space 32 through the discharge-side connecting passage 53d and the second discharge passage 52d in this order.

When substantially all of the electrolyte 4 in the first space 31 flows into the second space 32 through the battery cell 10, the first liquid amount detector 61 detects that the amount of the electrolyte in the first space 31 is zero as described in embodiment 1. Then, the valve control unit 651 performs control so as to perform a process reverse to the above-described process. That is, the valve control unit 651 operates the supply-side switching valve 54s so as to open the second supply passage 52s and close the first supply passage 51 s. The valve control unit 651 also operates the discharge-side switching valve 54d so as to open the first discharge passage 51d and close the second discharge passage 52 d. As described above, the pump control unit 652 stops the pump 55 once before the start of the control by the valve control unit 651, and drives the pump 55 after the completion of the control by the valve control unit 651. By this control, the electrolyte 4 stored in the second space 32 is supplied to the battery cell 10 through the second supply passage 52s and the supply-side connecting passage 53s in this order, and is discharged. The electrolyte 4 discharged from the battery cell 10 passes through the discharge-side connecting passage 53d and the first discharge passage 51d in this order from the battery cell 10 and is discharged into the first space 31.

This control is ended at the point in time when the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 reaches the end of discharge.

Note that, when the state of charge of the electrolytic solution 4 in the first space 31 is smaller than the threshold value, the present control may not be performed. In this case, the electrolyte 4 in the second space 32 having a low state of charge is caused to flow into the battery cell 10, whereby the electrolyte 4 is charged.

When the presence/absence detecting unit 653 detects absence, the calculating unit 654 calculates the state of charge of the electrolytic solution 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32. The valve control unit 651 controls the operations of the supply-side switching valve 54s and the discharge-side switching valve 54d so that the electrolyte 4 having a lower state of charge of the electrolytes 4 in the first space 31 and the second space 32 flows through the battery cell 10. For example, when the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 in the second space 32 is low, the valve control unit 651 operates the supply-side switching valve 54s so as to open the second supply passage 52s and close the first supply passage 51 s. The valve control unit 651 also operates the discharge-side switching valve 54d so as to open the first discharge passage 51d and close the second discharge passage 52 d. At this time, the pump control unit 652 stops the pump 55 once before the start of the control by the valve control unit 651, and drives the pump 55 after the completion of the control by the valve control unit 651. By this control, the electrolyte 4 in the second space 32 is supplied to the battery cell 10 through the second supply passage 52s and the supply-side connecting passage 53s in this order and charged. The electrolyte 4 charged in the battery cell 10 passes through the discharge-side connecting passage 53d and the first discharge passage 51d in this order and is discharged into the first space 31.

When substantially all of the electrolyte 4 in the second space 32 passes through the battery cell 10 and flows into the first space 31, the second liquid amount detection unit 62 detects that the amount of the electrolyte in the second space 32 is zero as described in embodiment 1. Then, the valve control unit 651 and the pump control unit 652 perform control so as to perform a process reverse to the above-described process. That is, the valve control unit 651 operates the supply-side switching valve 54s so as to open the first supply passage 51s and close the second supply passage 52 s. The valve control unit 651 also operates the discharge-side switching valve 54d so as to open the second discharge passage 52d and close the first discharge passage 51 d. As described above, the pump control unit 652 stops the pump 55 once before the start of the control by the valve control unit 651, and drives the pump 55 after the completion of the control by the valve control unit 651. By this control, the electrolyte 4 stored in the first space 31 is supplied to the battery cell 10 through the first supply passage 51s and the supply-side connecting passage 53s in this order, and is charged. The electrolyte 4 charged in the battery cell 10 is discharged from the battery cell 10 into the second space 32 through the discharge-side connecting passage 53d and the second discharge passage 52d in this order.

This control is ended at the point when the state of charge of the electrolyte 4 reaches the full charge.

[ effect ] of action

In the RF battery 1 of the present embodiment, the flow of the electrolyte 4 can be switched before substantially all of the electrolyte 4 stored in one of the first space 31 and the second space 32 passes through the battery cell 10 and flows into the other space. Therefore, for example, even when the power request of load 130 occurs during charging, the power request of load 130 can be immediately handled.

The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Description of the reference symbols

1RF battery

10 cell unit

10m measuring part

10r standard electrode

10v voltage measuring part

20 group battery

3 can

31 first space

32 second space

33 Top plate

34 bottom plate

35 side plate

36 partition part

361 outer region

362 inner side area

4 electrolyte solution

5 circulation mechanism

51s first supply path

51d first discharge path

52s second supply path

52d second discharge path

53s supply side connecting path

53d discharge side connecting passage

54s supply side switching valve

54d discharge side switching valve

55 Pump

56s branch circuit

56d branch

6 control mechanism

61 first liquid amount detection unit

62 second liquid level detection unit

65 control part

651 valve control part

652 pump control part

653 presence/absence detecting unit

654 arithmetic unit

100 AC/DC converter

110 power generation part

120 power transformation equipment

130 load