Exploring the Safety Aspects of Redox Flow Batteries

Redox flow batteries are energy storage systems consisting of liquid electrolytes containing one or more electroactive species. Electrolytes flow through the electrochemical cell where chemical energy is converted into electricity. The energy stored by the redox flow batteries depends on the volume of electrolytes in the tanks and the size of the electrochemical battery. If the electrolytes deteriorate, they can be replaced, and the battery's capacity will get restored. Factors and components affecting performance have been extensively studied but not the response to off-nominal tests. In this work, performance (cycle life) and safety tests (overcharge, overdischarge and short circuit) are carried out on two conventional redox battery systems, Vanadium (V) and Zinc-Bromine (Zn-Br). The vanadium-based flow battery is of a table-top lab-scale size, whereas, the Zn-Br batteries are residential-scale systems.