Abstract
Flow batteries are an emerging technology for the stationary storage of intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. However, their widespread adoption is hindered by energy losses that occur during charging and discharging. This project aims to minimize these losses by enhancing mass transfer and reducing pumping losses through the integration of a novel pulsatile flow regime with structured 3D-printed electrodes. In the first stage, the focus will be on developing inert carbon electrodes. Various fabrication techniques, including the carbonization of 3D-printed polymers, vapor-phase graphene deposition, and indirect 3D printing using printed molds, will be explored and electrochemically characterized. Next, the electrode structures will be optimized to improve the round-trip energy efficiency of the flow battery. The second stage will target on understanding the pulsatile flow regime. By assessing the effects of different pulsatile flow parameters on the performance and stability of the flow battery, this study will establish a framework to elucidate how these parameters influence system behavior. In the final stage, the knowledge gained from the first two stages will be integrated. A pulsatile flow regime will be combined with a 3D-structured electrode, and its impact on the performance and stability of the flow battery will be systematically analyzed.
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