Self-draining heat exchanger arrangement for a metal-halogen battery system, and method of putting it into practice.

摘要

A self-draining decomposition heat exchanger arrangement for a metal-halogen battery system is disclosed. The arrangement has a decomposition heat exchanger positioned higher than the electrolyte collected in the sump of the electrode stack section of the battery system to allow electrolyte to drain out of the heat exchanger when electrolyte is not being circulated therethrough. The heat exchanger has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a central portion that is preferably formed of helically coiled tubing and that preferably slopes continuously downward to promote complete drainage. The arrangement preferably also has vent means connected to the gas space above the sump in the stack section and attached to conduit means between the outlet of the electrolyte pump and inlet of the heat exchangerfor improving drainage of the heat exchanger by allowing gas to enter the heat exchanger to replace the electrolyte as it drains therefrom.