Since Redox Flow Batteries are a very immature technology, the lack of testing protocols could be an inconvenience in terms of reproducibility between experiments. In this sense, R&D team has designed and set up a test rig where up to six lab-cells can be operated at the same time in a temperature-controlled box. The idea is to check each configuration of battery components (membrane, carbon felts, bipolar plates) three times using the same protocol and conditions.
One of the main topics of the R&D team is battery components optimization. To fulfill this goal, comparison between components on their effect on battery performance and battery lifetime is mandatory. So, for example, different membranes are evaluated under the same protocol where the stability of the membrane, their performance at different current densities and their long-term performance is checked.
For an organic electrolyte to be considered promising, it must meet the following criteria:
- High solubility in the supporting electrolyte, whether in acidic, neutral, or basic environments.
- Appropriate redox potential to maximize the energy density of the RFB.
- Chemical and electrochemical stability, preventing degradation or side reactions.
- Fast redox kinetics and favorable diffusion coefficients for both redox states.
- Sustainability and safe handling, ensuring environmentally friendly and secure use.
- Wide operational temperature range, making it suitable for diverse climates.
- Cost-effective synthesis, ensuring scalability and economic feasibility.
Among the various organic electrolytes synthesized during the second phase of the IPCEI project, those that meet these criteria will be further implemented and tested in InoHub’s lab-scale cells to evaluate their real-world performance.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
This work was supported by the project: IPCEI_IE_FLOW_BESS_012021_2. phase