Alternative low cost electrodes for hybrid flow batteries

Abstract

A redox flow battery may include: a membrane interposed between a first electrode positioned at a first side of the membrane and a second electrode positioned at a second side of the membrane opposite to the first side; a first flow field plate comprising a plurality of positive flow field ribs, each of the plurality of positive flow field ribs contacting the first electrode at first supporting regions on the first side; and the second electrode, including an electrode spacer positioned between the membrane and a second flow field plate, the electrode spacer comprising a plurality of main ribs, each of the plurality of main ribs contacting the second flow field plate at second supporting regions on the second side, each of the second supporting regions aligned opposite to one of the plurality of first supporting regions. As such, a current density distribution at a plating surface may be reduced.

1 . A redox flow battery, comprising:
 a negative electrode spacer interposed between a negative side of a membrane and a negative flow field plate, and   a positive electrode interposed between a positive side of the membrane and a positive flow field plate wherein,   the negative electrode spacer includes a plurality of main ribs,   the positive electrode includes a plurality of positive flow field ribs opposingly aligned across the membrane from the plurality of main ribs, and   the negative flow field plate includes a continuously smooth plating surface facing the membrane, the plating surface and the membrane sandwiching a non-interdigitated negative electrolyte flow field therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . The redox flow battery of  claim 1 , wherein
 the negative electrode spacer includes a plurality of support ribs, and   an array of evenly-sized openings formed from transversely and non-wovenly joining the plurality of main ribs to the plurality of support ribs.   
     
     
         3 . The redox flow battery of  claim 2 , wherein the main ribs comprise solid monolithic structures having constant cross-sections in a longitudinal direction of the main ribs. 
     
     
         4 . The redox flow battery of  claim 3 , wherein the main ribs comprise solid monolithic structures having constant cross-sections along an axis perpendicular to a plane of the negative flow field plate. 
     
     
         5 . The redox flow battery of  claim 4 , wherein a pitch of the support ribs is less than a pitch of the main ribs. 
     
     
         6 . The redox flow battery of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of main ribs is oriented more parallel to a width of the negative electrode spacer, and the plurality of support ribs is oriented more parallel to a length of the negative electrode spacer.