Distributed energy storage system
AssigneeThe Curators of the University of Missouri
InventorsJonghyun Park, Mohammed Al-Yasiri
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Abstract
An energy storage system reaction cell configured for distribution throughout a transport system. The length of the reaction cell is substantially greater than its width and is looped throughout the transport system in a serpentine configuration. A membrane within the reaction cell has a length substantially equal to the length of the reaction cell such that surface area of the membrane is maximized relative to volume of the reaction cell to increase electrical power provided to an electrical load of the transport system.
Claims20
An energy storage system, comprising:
- a first tank configured for storing an anolyte;
- a second tank configured for storing a catholyte;
- an elongate reaction cell configured for distribution throughout a transport system, said reaction cell comprising an anode electrode in fluid communication with the first tank and a cathode electrode in fluid communication with the second tank, said reaction cell further comprising a membrane configured to form an interface between the anode electrode and cathode electrode;
- a first pump configured for pumping the anolyte from the first tank through the anode electrode of the reaction cell via a first input supply tube;
- and
- a second pump configured for pumping the catholyte from the second tank through the cathode electrode of the reaction cell via a second input supply tube;
- and
- wherein a length of the reaction cell is substantially greater than a width thereof, and wherein the membrane has a length substantially equal to the length of the reaction cell such that surface area of the membrane is maximized relative to volume of the reaction cell.
An electrochemical reaction cell, comprising:
- an anode electrode configured to receive and fluidly communicate an anolyte therethrough;
- a cathode electrode configured to receive and fluidly communicate a catholyte therethrough;
- a membrane configured to form an interface between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode;
- an exterior flexible polymer sheath enveloping the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the membrane;
- wherein a length of the electrochemical reaction cell is substantially greater than a width thereof, and
- wherein the electrochemical reaction cell is configured for winding throughout a transport system to enlarge surface area of the membrane relative to a volume of the electrochemical reaction cell.
A transport system, comprising:
- a first tank configured for storing an anolyte;
- a second tank configured for storing a catholyte;
- an elongate reaction cell comprising:
- an anode electrode in fluid communication with the first tank,
- a cathode electrode in fluid communication with the second tank, and
- a membrane configured to form an interface between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode such that surface area of the membrane is maximized relative to volume of the reaction cell;
- a first pump configured for pumping the anolyte from the first tank through the anode electrode of the reaction cell via a first supply tube coupling the first tank and the reaction cell;
- and
- a second pump configured for pumping the catholyte from the second tank through the cathode electrode of the reaction cell via a second supply tube coupling the second tank and the reaction cell,
- wherein the reaction cell is substantially longer than it is wide, and
- wherein the reaction cell is distributed throughout the transport system in a serpentine configuration within an area defined by the width and length of the transport system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.