Topics in the Development of Aqueous Quinone-based Flow Batteries

Abstract

The development of economically competitive grid scale energy storage is critical to worldwide adoption of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This work examines increasing flow battery efficiency and decreasing cost through several methods. The use of quinone chemicals produced by a large-scale chemical supplier is demonstrated to be similar to high-purity research grade material. Several candidate anthraquinone derivatives are evaluated based on electrochemical and chemical properties. These anthraquinone derivatives are shown to have unique electrochemical properties, including various reduction mechanisms. Finally, an electrochemical engineering approach is taken to optimize the channel and land widths in an interdigitated flow field. A model of flow battery performance is developed and used to optimize channel and land widths in the flow field.