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US 12,537,213 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.
Claims20
A flow battery system comprising:
- a positive electrolyte fluid carrying a positive electrode active material and flowing through a positive reaction chamber having a positive electrode;
- a negative electrolyte fluid carrying a negative electrode active material and flowing through a negative reaction chamber having a negative electrode;
- a non-ionomeric membrane comprising hydrogel physically separating the positive reaction chamber from the negative reaction chamber while insuring opposing facings of the non-ionomeric membrane are each:
- i) spaced apart from each of the positive and negative electrodes and ii) in direct contact with one of the positive or negative electrolyte fluids;
- and
- wherein the non-ionomeric membrane is ionically conductive but resistant to hydraulic crossover and wherein the positive and negative electrolytes each comprise discrete, aqueous solutions selected to serve as a flow battery.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.