Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Electrolyte Tank
Shown below are Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations I ran on a Vanadium Electrolyte Flow Battery (VRFB) electrolyte tank using SolidWorks. I designed the storage tank to more evenly distribute the residence times of fluid particles in the tank. In addition to using a round tank to eliminate dead spots, this goal was achieved by placing the inlet and outlet so that together they would create a vortex within the tank. Once the design was validated with FEA, a prototype was 3D printed using PTFE. Drawings for the tank are shown below the simulations.
Broadly, my work here was to create a functional Vanadium Redox Flow Battery prototype. Specifically, this involved designing components, reviewing studies, giving presentations, and publishing two papers. Testing of the prototype required data collection, problem-solving, equipment inspection, accuracy improvements, and maintaining a clean and organized laboratory. The end goal for this VRFB was to create a practical solution for the large-scale storage of renewable energy.
I collaborated on the publication of two papers, linked below, from this research project.
