Fuel System Using Redox Flow Battery

Abstract

An automotive or other power system including a flow cell, in which the stack that provides power is readily isolated from the storage vessels holding the cathode slurry and anode slurry (alternatively called “fuel”) is described. A method of use is also provided, in which the “fuel” tanks are removable and are separately charged in a charging station, and the charged fuel, plus tanks, are placed back in the vehicle or other power system, allowing fast refueling. The technology also provides a charging system in which discharged fuel is charged. The charged fuel can be placed into storage tanks at the power source or returned to the vehicle. In some embodiments, the charged fuel in the storage tanks can be used at a later date. The charged fuel can be transported or stored for use in a different place or time.

1 . A method of operating a portable device comprising a power system housed within the device, comprising:
 providing a plurality of flow cells, each flow cell comprising:
 a positive electrode current collector, 
 a negative electrode current collector, 
 an ion-permeable membrane separating said positive and negative current collectors; 
 wherein said positive electrode current collector and said ion-permeable membrane define a positive electroactive zone for accommodating a positive electroactive material; 
 wherein said negative electrode current collector and said ion-permeable membrane define a negative electroactive zone for accommodating a negative electroactive material; wherein at least one of said positive and negative electroactive materials comprises a flowable redox composition in said electroactive zone; 
   at least one dispensing vessel for dispensing a flowable redox composition into one of the positive or negative electroactive zone; wherein said dispensing vessel is connected with said plurality of flow cells and in fluidic communication with said electroactive zone and the dispensing vessel is capable of being connected and disconnected from said flow cell; and   at least one receiving vessel for receiving flowable redox composition from one of the positive or negative electroactive zone, wherein said receiving vessel is connected with said flow cell and in fluidic communication with said electroactive zone and the receiving vessel is capable of being connected and disconnected from said flow cell;   introducing said flowable redox composition from said dispensing vessel into at least one of the electroactive zones to cause the flow cell to discharge to provide electric energy to operate the device; and   receiving the discharged redox composition in the receiving vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising refueling said power system by replacing said dispensing vessel with a new dispensing vessel containing fresh flowable redox composition. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising replacing said receiving vessel with a new empty receiving vessel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said portable device is a vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said portable device is a portable power generator. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said vehicle is a land, air, or water vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said redox composition comprises a flowable semi-solid or condensed liquid ion-storing redox composition capable of taking up and releasing said ions during operation of the cell. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising refueling said power system by replacing said dispensing vessel containing said redox composition with a new dispensing vessel containing a fresh flowable redox composition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said fresh redox composition has at least one different characteristic from said redox composition. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said fresh redox composition and said redox composition has different power densities. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said fresh redox composition and said redox composition has different energy densities. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said fresh redox composition and said redox composition has different semi-solid particle sizes. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said fresh redox composition and said redox composition has different electroactive material concentrations. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said fresh redox composition has smaller semi-solid particle size and higher power density than said redox composition. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said fresh redox composition has higher electroactive material concentration and higher energy density than said redox composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing vessel and receiving vessel form a unitary body. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of flow cells form a stack of flow cells, and said dispensing and receiving vessels are reversibly connected with the flow cell stack. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said flow cells are connected in parallel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said flow cells are connected in series. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing a pump disposed between one or both of said dispensing and receiving vessels and said flow cell stack. 
     
     
         21 - 134 . (canceled)