Systems and methods for shunt current and mechanical loss mitigation in electrochemical systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for shunt current and mechanical loss mitigation in electrochemical systems include a conduit providing at least a portion of an electrically conductive pathway between the first and second electrochemical cells, wherein the conduit includes at least one shunt current suppression device configured as a loop, and/or a connector assembly for maintaining first and second connecting portions in adjacent positioning.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A redox flow battery system, comprising:
 (b) at least one electrochemical cell;   (c) at least one conduit configured to extend from the at least one electrochemical cell; and   (c) at least one connector assembly for connecting the conduit and the at least one electrochemical cell, wherein the at least one connector assembly includes a first portion of the connector assembly, a second portion of the connector assembly, and a retaining mechanism for maintaining the first and second portions in adjacent positioning.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a first flange and the second portion includes a second flange. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a seal between the first and second portions. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid flow path is a substantially straight fluid path through the connector assembly. 
     
     
         5 . A connector assembly for a redox flow battery system having at least one electrochemical cell and a conduit extending from the electrochemical cell, the connector assembly comprising:
 (a) a first portion connectable to the conduit;   (b) a second portion connectable to the electrochemical cell; and   (c) a retaining mechanism for maintaining the first and second portions in adjacent positioning.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first portion includes a first flange and the second portion includes a second flange. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a seal between the first and second portions. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid flow path is a substantially straight fluid path through the connector assembly. 
     
     
         9 . A connector assembly, comprising:
 (a) a first portion connectable by welding to a first conduit, the first portion including a first flange and an extension portion including at least one O-ring seal;   (b) a second portion connectable by welding to a second conduit, the second portion including a second flange and a receiving portion including at least one groove in the receiving portion for receiving the extension portion and the O-ring seal; and   (c) a retaining mechanism for maintaining the first and second flanges in adjacent positioning.