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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01m613mx78v
Title: Designing of an All-Vanadium Redox Flow Battery for Energy Storage
Authors: Quaye, Kojo
Advisors: Benziger, Jay Burton
Department: Chemical and Biological Engineering
Class Year: 2014
Abstract: Global energy consumption is projected to increase by 56% by the year 2040. In order to meet this growing demand as well as limit its environmental impacts, alternative energy sources must increase their generating capacity. The two most developed technologies available are wind turbines and solar cells; however the power output of these technologies is highly dependent on weather. To address this problem, efficient energy storage technologies must be used. Flow batteries boast very large energy densities and can be placed in any location, making them a viable energy storage system. During their summer research Bai’14 and Leng’14 designed and tested two flow batteries to determine how convective and diffusive designs affected battery performance. Two new flow batteries were designed in this study to address the leakage problem that Bai and Leng encountered during their research. In addition, a model was developed to simulate battery operation. Designs for a diffusive and convective battery were made and then constructed. Initial tests of the diffusive battery showed significant amounts of leakage, requiring the application of sealants and clamps. The results of the research indicated that the addition of flow channels through the graphite blocks limited the amount of leakage. The model developed assumed that the batteries could be approximated as a CSTR or a batch reactor. The CSTR model led to negative concentrations which are not possible for any real system. The batch reactor did simulate the expected results but on a very large timescale. Further work should be done to standardize battery assembly and improve model accuracy so that more complete tests can be done.
Extent: 57 pages
URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01m613mx78v
Type of Material: Princeton University Senior Theses
Language: en_US
Appears in Collections:Chemical and Biological Engineering, 1931-2023

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