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US 11,444,306 B2Granted
Composite membranes for flow batteries
AssigneeCase Western Reserve University
InventorsJesse S. Wainright, Gary E. Wnek, Enoch A. Nagelli, Robert Savinell
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Abstract
A composite membrane for use in flow batteries is contemplated. The membrane comprises a hydrogel, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), applied to a polymeric microporous film substrate. This composite is interposed between two half cells of a flow battery. The resulting membrane and system, as well as corresponding methods for making the membrane and making and operating the system itself, provide unexpectedly good performance at a significant cost advantage over currently known systems.
Claims15
A flow battery system comprising:
- a positive electrolyte flowing through a positive reaction chamber and a negative electrolyte flowing through a negative reaction chamber, wherein at least one of the positive electrolyte and the negative electrolyte consists of an aqueous solution;
- a non-ionomeric membrane comprising hydrogel impregnated into pores of a microporous polymeric substrate, said non-ionomeric membrane:
- (i) physically separating the positive reaction chamber from the negative reaction chamber so as to prevent any flow of fluid through the pores;
- (ii) being ionically conductive but resistant to hydraulic crossover;
- and (iii) not containing any sulfonate or carboxylate ionic groups;
- and
- wherein the hydrogel consists of poly(vinyl alcohol).
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.