Nickel-zinc flow battery

摘要

A nickel-zinc battery includes a battery housing, a nickel oxide positive electrode supported in the battery housing, a metal substrate negative electrode supported in the battery housing, a spacer disposed between the positive and negative electrodes, an electrolyte contained within the battery housing and a means for circulating electrolyte in fluid communication with the housing for circulating the electrolyte between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrolyte contains zinc and the metal substrate is adapted for deposition of the zinc during charging of the battery. The spacer maintains the positive electrode in a spaced relationship apart from the negative electrode.

主权项

1. A method for producing energy and increasing the electrochemical energy producing life of a battery having a battery housing, a nickel oxide positive electrode supported in the battery housing, a negative electrode supported in the battery housing and an electrolyte contained within the battery housing, the method comprising the steps of:
charging the battery to a charge voltage, wherein zinc oxide present in the electrolyte is deposited on the negative electrode as metallic zinc; discharging the battery to a discharge voltage to produce energy, wherein the metallic zinc deposited on the negative electrode is partially dissolved back into the electrolyte; further discharging the battery to a final voltage below said discharge voltage, wherein the metallic zinc is completely removed from the negative electrode; and actively circulating a flow of electrolyte between the positive electrode and the negative electrode with a pump during said steps of charging, discharging and further discharging the battery to said final voltage, said pump being in fluid communication with said battery housing and an electrolyte reservoir for pumping said electrolyte between said electrolyte reservoir and said positive and negative electrodes in said battery housing, said pump pumping said electrolyte at a flow rate normalized by capacity in a range between 1 cc/minute/Ah and 100 cc/minute/Ah, wherein the metallic zinc is stripped and redeposited on the negative electrode.