Systems and methods for assembling redox flow battery reactor cells

• US 10,141,594 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2011
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VRB Enery Inc.
• Original Assignee: VRB Enery Inc.
• Inventors: Blacker, Ricky, Lepp, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Marks, Jacob B
• Application Number:
  US13/269,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20130089767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,608 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/188 by recharging of redox couples containing fluids; Redox flow type batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

A reactor assembly for a redox flow battery system is disclosed. The reactor assembly may include a plurality of outer frames, a plurality of inner frames, and a rib and channel interlock system integrated in the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames. In certain embodiments, the rib and channel interlock system may be configured to create a plurality of seal systems enclosing an outer circumference of an electrolyte compartment when the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are compressed together in a stack configuration.

Claims

1. A redox flow battery system reactor assembly comprising:

a plurality of outer frames;

a plurality of inner frames; and

a rib and channel interlock system integrated in the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames, the rib and channel interlock system configured to create a plurality of seal systems, each seal system enclosing an outer circumference of an electrolyte compartment when the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are compressed together in a stack configuration,

wherein each seal system comprises a primary seal and a secondary seal defined in part by the rib and channel interlock system, and

wherein the secondary seal is a lower pressure seal than the primary seal.

2. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are comprised of a polymer material.

3. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 1, wherein each seal system is configured to substantially confine electrolyte solution within the electrolyte compartment.

4. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 1, wherein the primary seal is a high pressure seal.

5. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 1, wherein the rib and channel interlock system comprises a plurality of sealing ribs and a plurality of channel ribs, wherein each sealing rib is configured to be disposed within a channel formed by a pair of channel ribs.

6. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 1, wherein the rib and channel interlock system is further configured to create structural frame portions using ribs and channels when the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are compressed together in a stack configuration.

7. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are comprised of an injection molded material.

8. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 7, wherein the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are comprised of a material having a consistent wall thickness.

9. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are comprised of a material that does not significantly degrade when exposed to electrolyte solution.

10. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 1, wherein each seal system includes a secondary compartment disposed between the primary seal and the secondary seal, the secondary compartment being configured to substantially capture any electrolyte solution that leaks through the primary seal.

11. A redox flow battery system reactor assembly comprising:

a plurality of outer frames;

a plurality of inner frames; and

a rib and channel interlock system integrated in the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames, the rib and channel interlock system configured to create a plurality of seal systems, each seal system enclosing an outer circumference of an electrolyte compartment when the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are compressed together in a stack configuration,

wherein each seal system comprises a primary seal and a secondary seal defined in part by the rib and channel interlock system, and

wherein each seal system includes a secondary compartment disposed between the primary seal and the secondary seal, the secondary compartment being configured to substantially capture any electrolyte solution that leaks through the primary seal.

12. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein the secondary compartment is configured to be at an ambient air pressure.

13. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein each seal system further includes an access port configured to access electrolyte solution captured in the secondary compartment.

14. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are comprised of a polymer material.

15. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein each seal system is configured to substantially confine electrolyte solution within the electrolyte compartment.

16. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein the primary seal is a high pressure seal.

17. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein the rib and channel interlock system comprises a plurality of sealing ribs and a plurality of channel ribs, wherein each sealing rib is configured to be disposed within a channel formed by a pair of channel ribs.

18. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein the rib and channel interlock system is further configured to create structural frame portions using ribs and channels when the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are compressed together in a stack configuration.

19. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are comprised of an injection molded material.

20. The redox flow battery system reactor assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of outer frames and the plurality of inner frames are comprised of a material having a consistent wall thickness.