| CPC H01M 8/188 (2013.01) [H01M 8/04186 (2013.01); H01M 8/04164 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
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1. A redox flow battery comprising:
a redox flow cell including a barrier layer arranged between first and second electrodes;
a supply and storage system external of the redox flow cell, the supply and storage system including first and second vessels, first and second liquid electrolyte solutions in, respectively, the first and second vessels, fluid lines connecting the first and second vessels to, respectively, the first and second electrodes, and a plurality of pumps operable to circulate the first and second liquid electrolyte solutions via the fluid lines through the redox flow cell and the first and second vessels,
the first and second electrolyte solutions including a base solvent that has a tendency to migrate across the barrier layer from the second electrode toward the first electrode and thereby cause an imbalance such that the second electrolyte solution increases in concentration and the first electrolyte solution decreases in concentration, the first electrolyte solution emanating a vapor phase containing the base solvent; and
a separator in fluid connection with the first vessel to receive the vapor phase, the separator operable to condense the base solvent from the vapor phase to produce recovered base solvent and return the recovered base solvent to the second electrolyte solution to thereby reverse the imbalance such that the concentration of the second electrolyte solution decreases and the concentration of the first electrolyte solution increases.
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