US 11,735,789 B2
Device for managing the state of health of an electrolyte in a redox flow battery system
David E. Gray, Homer Glen, IL (US); William T. Kender, Chicago, IL (US); and Stuart R. Miller, Arlington Heights, IL (US)
Assigned to UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL (US)
Filed by UOP LLC, Des Plaines, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/559,837.
Prior Publication US 2023/0198053 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 16/00 (2006.01); H01M 8/18 (2006.01); H01M 8/04313 (2016.01); H01M 8/04746 (2016.01); H01M 8/04276 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 16/006 (2013.01) [H01M 8/04283 (2013.01); H01M 8/04313 (2013.01); H01M 8/04746 (2013.01); H01M 8/188 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for managing a state of health of an electrolyte in a redox flow battery system comprising:
at least one rechargeable cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a positive electrolyte tank comprising a positive electrolyte in fluid communication with the positive electrode in a primary positive electrolyte loop, and a negative electrolyte tank comprising a negative electrolyte in fluid communication with the negative electrode in a primary negative electrolyte loop;
a diffusion cell comprising a positive chamber and a negative chamber separated by a proton conducting membrane, the positive chamber in fluid communication with the primary positive electrolyte loop and the positive electrolyte tank in a secondary positive electrolyte loop, the negative chamber in selective fluid communication with the primary negative electrolyte loop and the negative electrolyte tank in a secondary negative electrolyte loop; and
a controller on the secondary negative electrolyte loop between the negative electrolyte tank and the negative chamber, the controller selectively allowing the negative electrolyte to flow to the negative chamber when a measured property is outside a predetermined operating range and preventing the negative electrolyte from flowing to the negative chamber when the measured property is within the predetermined operating range.