Development of Integrally Molded Bipolar Plates for All-Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

Chih-Hsun Chang, Han-Wen Chou, Ning-Yih Hsu and Yong-Song Chen
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Chih-Hsun Chang: Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High-tech Innovations and Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, No. 168, University Rd., Minhsiung Township, Chiayi 62102, Taiwan
Han-Wen Chou: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council, No. 1000 Wenhua Rd., Jiaan Village, Longtan Township, Taoyuan 32546, Taiwan
Ning-Yih Hsu: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council, No. 1000 Wenhua Rd., Jiaan Village, Longtan Township, Taoyuan 32546, Taiwan
Yong-Song Chen: Advanced Institute of Manufacturing with High-tech Innovations and Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, No. 168, University Rd., Minhsiung Township, Chiayi 62102, Taiwan

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 5, 1-10

Abstract: All-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRBs) are potential energy storage systems for renewable power sources because of their flexible design, deep discharge capacity, quick response time, and long cycle life. To minimize the energy loss due to the shunt current, in a traditional design, a flow field is machined on two electrically insulated frames with a graphite plate in between. A traditional bipolar plate (BP) of a VRB consists of many components, and thus, the assembly process is time consuming. In this study, an integrally molded BP is designed and fabricated to minimize the manufacturing cost. First, the effects of the mold design and injection parameters on frame formability were analyzed by simulation. Second, a new graphite plate design for integral molding was proposed, and finally, two integrally molded BPs were fabricated and compared. Results show that gate position significantly affects air traps and the maximum volume shrinkage occurs at the corners of a BP. The volume shrinkage can be reduced using a large graphite plate embedded within the frame.

Keywords: all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRBs); bipolar plate (BP); injection molding; energy storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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