137 years of technology could revolutionize the battery market: how it works (video)

Interesting engineering writes that lithium-ion batteries have been leading the way in almost every industry that needs an energy source for many years. But, at least in the industrial enterprises or household segment, they can be replaced by an old technology that was once forgotten by everyone, but now it has gotten a second chance.

We are talking about zinc-bromine batteries, the technology of which was patented in 1885 by CS Bradley of New York. At that time, electrification was only gaining momentum, and no one was particularly interested in large-power batteries. The idea, as they say, “did not fly”.

And very well, taking into account modern realities. After all, it’s not enough just to get energy from the sun or wind, you have to store it somewhere else in case it’s cloudy or windless. This requires large and powerful batteries, and lithium-ion or other lithium-based batteries are not well suited for this role. They are expensive, explosive, and not environmentally friendly (with all the emphasis on “green energy”, lithium extraction requires almost 2,000 cubic meters of water to produce one metric ton).

How does a zinc-bromine battery work?

Australian companies Gelion and Redflow have introduced Endure zinc-bromine batteries, an improvement on the ZBM3 models.

Zinc bromine batteries are a type of redox flow battery or RFB. Like any battery, these batteries contain a cathode, an anode, and a separator. The main nuance is the use of reservoirs filled with liquid electrolyte on both sides of the battery: one for the catholyte and the other for the anolyte instead of solid components, as in lithium-ion batteries. Both sides contain a chemical in a different oxidation state.

When a zinc-bromine battery is discharged, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy by reduction-oxidation. While the battery is charging, this process is reversed. Such batteries are not suitable for small vehicles or even electric vehicles due to their large size. But they will serve perfectly in a home, office or business, because blocks of such batteries scale very well, like cubes, when necessary.

Of course, the developers at Gelion and Redflow developed the basic idea and equipped their batteries with a plate that is positive for bromide and negative for zinc, and also placed a layer of gel in the middle as an electrode.

What are the advantages of zinc-bromine batteries?

First, the depth of discharge. Unlike lithium-ion, they can constantly discharge to “zero”, but lithium-ion is not recommended to discharge less than 20% – the battery will quickly begin to deteriorate.

Second, security. Zinc-bromine batteries are more resistant to high temperatures and do not explode. The developers claim that they heat their batteries up to 700 ° C and do not explode.

Third, human security. Although bromine still poses a health hazard in its electrolyte form due to its carcinogenic nature, doctors say the rate at which bromine evaporates from a damaged battery is too slow, and bromine has an unpleasant odor that can leach out quickly. don’t notice. But other types of batteries are much more toxic and dangerous to our health.

And, of course, the cost of energy storage in kWh is worth considering. On an industrial scale for lithium-ion or vanadium batteries it ranges from $46 to $52 per kWh. Zinc-bromine will cost at least three times less. According to Gelion and Redflow, since they do not need air conditioning and fire extinguishing systems, their maintenance will be at least 25% cheaper, so the operation of these batteries will not hit the company budget.

You don’t need to completely remake the production line to produce such batteries. They can be produced in the same capacities as the others with conventional lithium-ion batteries or with minor adjustments.

The charge-discharge cycle also beats all competitors. The average is 2,500 for lithium batteries, 2 times more for zinc-bromine. Its environmental friendliness is also incomparable with lithium ion or others. Refilling zinc-bromine batteries is easily disposable in the oil and gas industry, and the battery case has comparable properties to their lead acid counterparts and is disposed of in a similar way with a nice bonus – they contain no sulfuric acid.

Disadvantages of zinc-bromine batteries

Cons – this is a large size and average density, where they are significantly lower than lithium-ion counterparts. But they are designed for use in a completely different segment.

Gelion and Redflow hope that the 137 years of updated and improved technology they have brought back to life will be very relevant to Australia and the world. Of course, you always have lithium-ion batteries at hand. But why don’t you remember the old recipe? Moreover, it is safer and more profitable.

Previously Focus He wrote about how Australia would break the Chinese and Russian monopoly on battery cells.