Phillips 66
Immiscible liquid separated battery system

Abstract:

A redox flow battery is described that does not include an ion exchange resin such as a proton exchange membrane but rather uses a generally stationary separator liquid that separates the anolyte from the catholyte at immiscible liquid-liquid interfaces. Solvents and electrochemically active components of the anolyte and catholyte would not cross the liquid-liquid interfaces between the separator liquid and the anolyte and catholyte, but certain ions in each of the anolyte and catholyte would cross the interface during charging and discharging of the redox flow battery. The separator liquid comprises a relatively small total volume of liquid in such a flow battery arrangement as compared to the anolyte and catholyte. Suitable chemical options are described along with system options for utilizing immiscible phases.