Numerical modeling of interdigitated flow fields for scaled-up redox flow batteries

Guo，Zixiao1; Sun，Jing1; Wang，Zhenyu1; Fan，Xinzhuang1; Zhao，Tianshou1,2

2023-02-01

10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2022.123548

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER   Impact Factor & Quartile

0017-9310

1879-2189

Flow fields play a crucial role in determining the electrochemical performance and pumping consumption of flow batteries. In this work, a three-dimensional model coupling fluid flow, mass transport and electrochemical reactions is developed to numerically optimize the interdigitated flow field for high-performance flow batteries. Key design parameters including the aspect ratio (length to width ratio) and the channel fraction are systematically investigated. It is revealed that large aspect ratios and small channel fractions reduce the stagnant zone within the porous electrodes, leading to superior battery performance. However, when the aspect ratio exceeds a critical value, the extremely long and narrow structure leads to uneven distribution of reactants along the channel, thereby resulting in remarkable concentration loss. By taking both the electrochemical loss and pumping consumption into consideration, the flow fields with unit widths from 1.5 to 2.5 mm and channel fractions from 0.125 to 0.375 enable the vanadium redox flow battery to deliver the lowest total power loss. Furthermore, the systematic simulation is also applied to optimize a larger unit with an active area of 540 mm for identifying the design principles in the scale-up. It is shown that larger aspect ratios are desirable to alleviate the dramatically increasing pumping loss.

Geometric parameters Interdigitated flow field Redox flow batteries Three-dimensional model Total power loss

EI ; SCI

English

Others

Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China[2021A1515011821] ; [T23-601/17-R] ; [SGDX2020110309460000]

Thermodynamics ; Engineering ; Mechanics

Thermodynamics ; Engineering, Mechanical ; Mechanics

WOS:000882184900009

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

20224413043737

Aspect ratio ; Electrodes ; Flow fields ; Pumps ; Transport properties

Pumps:618.2 ; Fluid Flow, General:631.1 ; Secondary Batteries:702.1.2 ; Physical Properties of Gases, Liquids and Solids:931.2

ENGINEERING

2-s2.0-85140918337

Scopus

1.Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,Kowloon,Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong,China
2.Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China

Guo，Zixiao,Sun，Jing,Wang，Zhenyu,et al. Numerical modeling of interdigitated flow fields for scaled-up redox flow batteries[J]. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER,2023,201.

Guo，Zixiao,Sun，Jing,Wang，Zhenyu,Fan，Xinzhuang,&Zhao，Tianshou.(2023).Numerical modeling of interdigitated flow fields for scaled-up redox flow batteries.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER,201.

Guo，Zixiao,et al."Numerical modeling of interdigitated flow fields for scaled-up redox flow batteries".INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER 201(2023).