Characterization and cyclic performance of membranes in hydrogen-bromine battery

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Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu | Master's thesis
Ask about the availability of the thesis by sending email to the Aalto University Learning Centre oppimiskeskus@aalto.fi

Authors

Date

2015-08-25

Department

Major/Subject

Biorefineries

Mcode

KM3005

Degree programme

Master’s Degree Programme in Environomical Pathways for Sustainable Energy Systems

Language

en

Pages

106+19

Series

Abstract

A large renewable energy integration needs to be coupled with a low cost energy storage technology. One of the promising energy storage alternatives for the commercial market segment is the hydrogen bromine flow battery. Although the technology has been explored since 1980, the development of the hydrogen bromine flow battery system is still in the research phase due to the system complexity, the safety aspect, and technical problems. The literature review revealed that costs of the system and electricity are highly dependent on the system’s lifetime. The main problem is the chemicals crossover problem, which leads to catalyst blockages, decreasing performance and system failure. A cost-driven hydrogen flow battery needs to be developed with a simplified design and abundant materials and the development of the first working cell is an important milestone to achieve a cost competitive hydrogen bromine flow battery. In the experimental part, ex-situ experiments were done to select the most suitable membrane for a hydrogen bromine flow battery and in-situ experiments were done to develop the first working cell and to find the effect of operating parameters. It was found that B-5018 membrane offers the best performance- selectivity trade-off while C-5011 membrane promises a better performance- selectivity trade-off than B-5018 membrane when it is coupled with bromine complexing agents. The first working cell was successfully developed with a peak power of 96 mW/cm2 and an open circuit voltage of 1.025 Volt. However, the cell performance could not be increased with an elevated electrolyte’s flow rate, hydrogen gas pressure or operating temperature. The observed main problem of a relatively low cell performance was the mass transport limitation of the bromine. It was also found that the use of stainless steel connectors in a hydrogen bromine battery’s system is not possible.

Description

Supervisor

Alopaeus, Ville

Thesis advisor

Kout, Wiebrand

Keywords

membrane, ex-situ, in-situ, hydrogen bromine, flow battery

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201509184349

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[dipl] Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu / CHEM