Visualization of flow patterns in a cell of redox flow battery by infrared thermography

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K05694
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 36020:Energy-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Kurume National College of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Hiroshi 久留米工業高等専門学校, 機械工学科, 教授 (50342580)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: RFB / セル内流動 / 可視化 / 赤外線カメラ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs), which are expected as safe and long-life batteries, can be improved the efficiency and life time by flowing electrolyte uniformly through the porous electrodes. However, since the porous electrodes are usually clamped by opaque material such as metal plates, the direct observation of flow inside the porous electrodes.
In this study, a model cell which approximates the cell of RFB was constructed and tested. Temperatures in the cell were measured by thermocouples and the temperature distribution of the clamping plate was measured by infrared camera for visualization of flow in the electrode. Configuration of distributor inserted in the cell was modeled to investigate the effect of distributor on the flow of working fluid in the electrode.

Free Research Field

熱工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

RFBは大容量電池として期待されているが、セル内部の電解液の流動状態の可視化についてはほとんど解明されておらず、これまでは多孔質内の流動を数値解析した結果や、ごく狭い流路内の流動状況を可視化した結果しか報告されていない。
今回の研究で用いた手法によって、実機レベルの広い流域におけるセル内の作動流体の流動状況を可視化することができ、RFBの性能解明に関する新しい知見が得られた。さらに、ディストリビュータの形状に着目した研究はこれまでに行われていないが、本研究の結果、ディストリビュータの形状を適切に設計することによって、セル内の流動状態を改善できることが明らかになった。