Redox flow battery with improved efficiency

A method for a redox flow battery, the method comprising:

• using a cell of a redox flow battery to store input electrical energy upon charging and releasing the stored electrical energy upon discharging,
• wherein the cell has a separator layer arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode, and wherein the using includes
• circulating a first electrolyte solution through a first circulation loop in fluid connection with the first electrode of the cell,
• circulating a second electrolyte solution through a second circulation loop in fluid connection with the second electrode of the cell, and
• wherein at least one reaction product precipitates as a solid precipitate in the second electrode;
• and
• removing at least a portion of the solid product from at least one of the second electrode and the separator layer by flowing a non-battery electrolyte through the second electrode, whereby the non-battery electrolyte removes the solid precipitate from the cell.

A redox flow battery comprising:

• a cell having a first electrode and a second electrode and a separator layer arranged between the first and second electrodes;
• a first circulation loop fluidly connected with the first electrode;
• a first battery electrolyte solution contained in the first recirculation loop;
• a second circulation loop fluidly connected with the second electrode;
• a second battery electrolyte solution contained in the second recirculation loop;
• a third circulation loop fluidly connected to the first electrode, second electrode or both;
• and
• a non-battery electrolyte solution contained in the third recirculation loop, the non-battery electrolyte solution including at least one species that is chemically reactive with solid precipitates such that the non-battery electrolyte solution is operable to remove at least a portion of the solid precipitates from at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator layer.