Vanadium redox battery (VRB)

[froot]

Perhaps a bit bold of me starting a new topic with my first post but after searching I suprisingly cannot see this technology being discussed here, oh and excellent site, it's taking up way too much of my family and work time

Just some links:

http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2006/01/vandium_reflux_.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanadium_redox_battery

Ther are plenty more sources on the web for this technology and I'm sure some of you have some good links for us. Some people may call it a type of fuel cell, the only missing common denominator with fuell cells is catalysis.
I find this type of battery system to be the best concept for battery type storage so far, in my opinion.
Why?

1. It has a 100% charge efficiency
2. It is fairly simple to upgrade the system to store as much energy as you need and much more -> near infinity.
3. No complicated and expensive catalysts required.
4. It's response to loading is excellent.
5. It can be used in many configurations, where one can tap power off selected cells while the system can be charged with remaining cells without effecting the equillibrium between the cells themselves. Using it as a DC-DC converter comes to mind.
6. The electrolytes on each side of the cell membrane are similar and it is not a problem if they contaminate each other, a simple recharge will fix that, as well as the electrolytes are not susceptable to poisoning from atmospheric gases.

The downside:
1. It is big and elaborate, but not excessively complicated.

Now the trick is to build one, I have a few ideas but I am a little stumped with regards to material specifications of electrodes and membranes, and electrolyte preparation. Does anybody have experience with a flow battery system like this?

[resonanceman]

Perhaps a bit bold of me starting a new topic with my first post but after searching I suprisingly cannot see this technology being discussed here, oh and excellent site, it's taking up way too much of my family and work time

Just some links:

http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2006/01/vandium_reflux_.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanadium_redox_battery

Ther are plenty more sources on the web for this technology and I'm sure some of you have some good links for us. Some people may call it a type of fuel cell, the only missing common denominator with fuell cells is catalysis.
I find this type of battery system to be the best concept for battery type storage so far, in my opinion.
Why?

1. It has a 100% charge efficiency
2. It is fairly simple to upgrade the system to store as much energy as you need and much more -> near infinity.
3. No complicated and expensive catalysts required.
4. It's response to loading is excellent.
5. It can be used in many configurations, where one can tap power off selected cells while the system can be charged with remaining cells without effecting the equillibrium between the cells themselves. Using it as a DC-DC converter comes to mind.
6. The electrolytes on each side of the cell membrane are similar and it is not a problem if they contaminate each other, a simple recharge will fix that, as well as the electrolytes are not susceptable to poisoning from atmospheric gases.

The downside:
1. It is big and elaborate, but not excessively complicated.

Now the trick is to build one, I have a few ideas but I am a little stumped with regards to material specifications of electrodes and membranes, and electrolyte preparation. Does anybody have experience with a flow battery system like this?

Froot   

Do you know  of any replication attempts  so far ?

gary

[Super God]

Man, if we could get a technology like this on a smaller scale it could revolutionize electric vehicles!  It could replace our fueling infrastructure completely.

[resonanceman]

Man, if we could get a technology like this on a smaller scale it could revolutionize electric vehicles!  It could replace our fueling infrastructure completely.

From what I have read  the energy density  is  way to low for a vehicle

I wonder what   new technologys  have been  tried 

colloidal  metals or  nano partical coating  could  be interesting


gary

[froot]

Thanks for the replies.

Resonanceman I don't know of anybody who has worked with this type of system, unfortunately, and was hoping I'd find another enthusiast here. I think now the best would be for me to experiment with the concepts using bits and pieces around the house and see if I can achieve anything.