Design and Modelling of Organic/Hydrogen Redox Flow Battery Systems

液流电池是一种有吸引力的新兴选择，可以提供能量存储，以支持电网稳定性，因为越来越多的可再生发电被添加到能源系统中。它们特别适合需要长期能源解决方案的应用，通常在4-24小时范围内。目前的液流电池技术是基于钒电解质的使用，这仍然是昂贵的。该项目将探索新的有机液流电池化学，提供更低的储能成本的前景。该项目完全符合EPSRC储能研究领域和其他英国倡议，如法拉第电池挑战，以及清洁增长战略和零排放之路等政策。它还链接到其他关键EPSRC研究领域，如能源网络。此外，该项目补充了正在进行的壳牌-ICL关于有机氧化还原对-氢RFBs的项目。有机氧化还原液流电池对低成本高容量氧化还原液流电池具有重要的前景，图1[1]-[7]。最近，Imperial的Kucernak小组已经开始研究有机氧化还原对-氢RFB的使用，其理论容量>20 Wh/L（是任何其他最近的有机RFB系统的两倍以上），并且已经实现了比其他RFB系统中实现的容量显著更好的容量[8]。然而，这项工作突出了一些与有机电解质相关的进一步问题，特别是与电解质降解相关的问题以及与这些系统运行相关的具体问题。因此，本项目将联合收割机实验与建模和模拟相结合，以研究基于有机氧化还原对-氢系统的液流电池的动态响应。将在氢-有机氧化还原液流电池中测试合适的有机电对，并评估性能。学生将检查有机电解质通过市售膜材料的渗透，并测试Qilei Songs博士实验室开发的选定膜。将开展工作，研究这些系统的长期运行情况，并确定所涉材料的降解机制和降解速率。研究人员将与建模博士生合作，提供完善有机氢RFB模型所需的输入数据。学生将进行实验工作，为模型提供输入数据，并在细胞水平上进行模型验证。学生还将与壳牌公司合作，使该技术的技术经济学得到考虑。有机电解质的关键目标是：（a）通过适当的膜材料（使用Nafion作为参考）建立电解质渗透性。测试其他适当的材料（例如，来自Qilei Songs博士实验室）（B）优化电极结构，以通过引入氮官能团和单原子金属催化剂来提供有机电解质的快速电动力学（c）测试氢-有机氧化还原液流电池中材料的性能作为循环次数的函数（d）与建模博士合作，使用从测试电池确定的参数来产生有机RF B系统的模型（e）开发电解质取样方法，并使用核磁共振和离子色谱法确定降解产物（g）实现有机电解质实现> 20 Wh/L的能量容量，200次循环我们的目标是从技术和技术经济的角度对氧化还原液流电池中的氢有机电解质的操作产生基本的理解，包括对系统进行建模。

Flow batteries are an attractive emerging option to provide energy storage in support of grid stability as increasing levels of renewable generation are added into the energy system. They are particularly well suited for applications where longer-term energy solutions are needed, typically in the range of 4-24 hours. Current flow battery technologies are based around the use of vanadium electrolytes, which remain costly. This project will explore new organic flow battery chemistries which offer the prospect of lower energy storage costs.This project aligns fully with the EPSRC Energy Storage research area and with other UK initiatives such as the Faraday Battery Challenge, and policies such as the Clean Growth Strategy and Road to Zero. It also links to other key EPSRC research areas such as Energy Networks. Furthermore, this project complements the ongoing Shell-ICL project on Organic redox couple-Hydrogen RFBs.Organic redox flow batteries hold significant promise for low cost high capacity redox flow batteries, figure 1[1]-[7]. Recently the Kucernak group at Imperial has started examining the use of Organic redox couple-Hydrogen RFBs which have theoretical capacities of >20 Wh/L (more than twice that of any other recent organic RFB system) and has achieved capacities significantly better than those achieved in other RFB systems[8]. However that work has highlighted some further issues associated with organic electrolytes, specifically associated with degradation of the electrolyte and specific issues associated with the operation of these systems.Hence, this project will combine experimentation with modelling and simulation to look at the dynamic response of a flow battery based around organic redox couple- hydrogen systems. Suitable organic couples will be tested in a hydrogen-organic redox flow battery and the performance evaluated. The student will examine organic electrolyte permeation through commercially available membrane materials and test selected membranes developed in Dr Qilei Songs laboratory. Work will be performed to look at the longer term operation of these systems and establish degradation mechanisms and degradation rates of the materials involved. The researcher will collaborate with the modelling PhD student to provide input data needed to refine the model of an organic-hydrogen RFB. The student will perform experimental work to provide input data for the model, and for model verification purposes at the cell level. The student will also work with Shell to enable the techno-economics of the technology to be considered.The key targets for the organic electrolytes are: (a) Establish electrolyte permeability through appropriate membrane materials (using Nafion as a reference). Test other appropriate materials (e.g. from Dr Qilei Songs laboratory)(b) Optimise electrode structure to provide fast electrokinetics with organic electrolytes by incorporation of nitrogen functionality and single atom metal catalysts(c) Test performance of materials in Hydrogen-organic redox flow battery as function of number of cycles(d) Collaborate with modelling PhD to produce model of organic RFB system using parameters determined from testing cell(e) Develop approaches to sample electrolyte and establish degradation products using nmr and ion chromatography(f) Develop mitigation strategies to allow high cycle life (>200 cycles at 100% dod) in organic electrolytes using the information determined from (d)(g) Achieve organic electrolyte achieved Energy capacity > 20 Wh/L with >200 cyclesWe aim to generate fundamental understanding of the operation of hydrogen-organic electrolytes in redox flow batteries including modelling of the system from a technical and technoeconomic viewpoint.