Zinc-bromine battery with circulating electrolytes

• US 5,607,788 A
• Filed: 04/24/1995
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Elin Energieanwendung GmbH, Vionx Energy Corp.
• Original Assignee: Elin Energieanwendung GmbH
• Inventors: Tomazic, Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): Maples, John S.
• Application Number:
  US08/392,901
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 429/71, 429/72, 429/51, 429/105, 429/82, 429/199, 429/210
• US Class Current: 429/72
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 12/085 Zinc-halogen cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/77 with external circulating path
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Zinc-bromine battery with circulating electrolytes, motor-driven pumps with pump chambers, containers for the electrolytes, dipolar electrodes and separators of synthetic material fitted between them, in which the edges of the separators and the electrodes are welded together, and electrolyte inlet and outlet lines allocated to the electrode chambers thus formed, and possibly heat exchangers for the electrolytes. One gas and liquid-proof chamber unit with at least one container, catholyte inlet and outlet lines, a pump chamber and cathode chambers is formed which is connected to another gas and liquid-proof chamber unit consisting of another container, anolyte inlet and outlet lines, another pump chamber and anode chambers, especially solely via separators.

Claims

1. A zinc-bromine battery comprising:

first and second gas- and fluid-proof reservoirs;

a first and second motor driven pump;

an electrolyte to be circulated by said first and second motor driven pumps;

each of said first and second gas- and fluid-proof reservoirs including a pump chamber coupled to a respective one of said first and second motor driven pumps;

means for equalizing pressure between said first and second gas- and fluid-proof reservoirs;

an electrode chamber including a plurality of bipolar electrodes and a plurality of plastic separators, said separators disposed between said bipolar electrodes, each of said bipolar electrodes and said separators comprising an outer frame and an inner portion, said outer frame having a thickness greater than the thickness of the inner portion;

a plurality of electrolyte supply lines coupling said first and second motor driven pumps to said electrode chamber;

a plurality of electrolyte return lines coupling said electrode chamber to said first and second motor driven pumps;

said first gas- and fluid-proof reservoir comprising a first electrolyte supply line and a first electrolyte return line and said second gas- and fluid-proof reservoir comprising a second electrolyte supply line and a second electrolyte return line; and

said pressure equalization means comprising a rubber elastic diaphragm, said diaphragm separating said electrolyte in said first gas- and fluid-proof reservoir from said electrolyte in said second gas- and fluid-proof reservoir,

wherein each of said first gas- and fluid-proof reservoir and said second gas- and fluid-proof reservoir further comprise a heat exchanger for removing heat from said electrolyte.

2. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second motor driven pumps can be driven by a common motor.

3. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein a fluid take-up capability of the reservoirs at least corresponds to respective anolyte and catholyte volumes.

4. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein in the operating position of the battery the reservoirs are disposed above electrodes and separators.

5. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 3, wherein in an operating position of the, battery the reservoir are disposed above the electrodes and separators.

6. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein each reservoir has a closable opening for removing and replenishing the electrolyte fluid.

7. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein the separators and/or the electrodes have at their edges, welded frames, continuous openings aligned with each other, by means of which continuous channels are formed as electrolyte supply and return lines which respectively have branch lines into the electrode chambers.

8. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein an electric fuse is disposed between an end contact of an electrode and a branch line to the user.

9. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein the battery has at least one handle, in particular two strips located opposite each other.

10. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein a directed discharge of the battery is performed by means of circulating electrolyte and that thereafter the battery is stored in the discharged state.

11. A zinc-bromine battery in accordance with claim 1, wherein an electrical drive for the first and second motor driven pumps is a powered by directed discharge of said zinc-bromine battery.