Methods and systems are provided for a redox flow battery system. In one example, the redox flow battery system includes a power module, an electrolyte pump, and a power control system. The power control system may include instructions to switch the redox flow battery system to an idle mode, activate an electrolyte pump when a first threshold period of time elapses, deactivate the electrolyte pump when a second threshold period of time elapses, and drain, purge, and refill one or more electrode compartments when a third threshold period of time elapses.

The current invention includes an additive manufactured electrode that may be used for a flow battery system. In some embodiments, the electrode may include a composite material and/or at least one flow channel to direct, or at least influence, flow of electrolyte. The flow channel can be formed onto a surface and/or within a body of the electrode, and may be used to generate fluid pathways that cause the electrolyte to flow in a certain manner. The composite material may include a rigid core and a flexible compressible outer layer that may improve reactions zones, enhance mechanical properties, and/or provide low-pressure paths for electrolyte to flow.

Liquid membrane cell assemblies are disclosed. In some embodiments, the liquid membrane cell assembly includes an elongate base having opposed first and second end portions and a central portion disposed therebetween. The first and second end portions each includes an elongate body, an electrolyte channel within the body, an electrolyte port fluidly connected to the electrolyte channel, a fuel channel within the body, and a fuel port fluidly connected to the fuel channel. The central portion includes spaced and opposed first and second members that connect the bases of the first and second portions and that horizontally define an open area therebetween. The liquid membrane cell assembly additionally includes an anode adjacent the first and second members, and a cathode adjacent the first and second members such that the base is disposed between the anode and the cathode. The anode and cathode vertically define the open area therebetween.

A segmented frame plate is provided, which may be used in a frame plate assembly of a redox flow battery cell stack. A plurality of segmented frame plates may couple together around a perimeter of a cell plate. Each segmented frame plate may provide fluidic communication from/to a redox flow reservoir and/or another frame plate assembly to a cell plate of the frame plate assembly.

Methods and systems are provided for a redox flow battery system. In one example, a method of operating a redox flow battery system includes switching the redox flow battery system to an idle mode and completely draining electrolytes from one or more electrode compartments of the redox flow battery system. The one or more electrode compartments may be purged with a gas and refilled with fresh electrolytes.

Methods and systems are provided for transporting and hydrating a redox flow battery system with a portable field hydration system. In one example, the redox flow battery system may be hydrated with the portable field hydration system in a dry state, in the absence of liquids. In this way, a redox flow battery system may be assembled and transported from a battery manufacturing facility to an end-use location off-site while the redox flow battery system is in the dry state, thereby reducing shipping costs, design complexities, as well as logistical and environmental concerns.

An electrode assembly for a flow battery is disclosed comprising a porous electrode material, a frame surrounding the porous electrode material, at least a distributor tube embedded in the porous electrode material having an inlet for supplying electrolyte to the porous electrode material and at least another distributor tube embedded in the porous electrode material having an outlet for discharging electrolyte out of the porous material. The walls of the distributor tubes are preferably provided with holes or pores for allowing a uniform distribution of the electrolyte within the electrode material. The distributor tubes provide the required electrolyte flow path length within the electrode material to minimize shunt current flowing between the flow cells in the battery stack.

Methods and systems are provided for a redox flow battery system. In one example, a method of operating a redox flow battery system includes, responsive to switching the redox flow battery system to an idle mode, initiating a first timer monitoring a first threshold period of time. An electrolyte pump may be activated when the first threshold period of time elapses, the electrolyte pump driving circulation of electrolytes through one or more electrode compartments.

A segmented frame plate is provided, which may be used in a frame plate assembly of a redox flow battery cell stack. A plurality of segmented frame plates may couple together around a perimeter of a cell plate. Each segmented frame plate may provide fluidic communication from/to a redox flow reservoir and/or another frame plate assembly to a cell plate of the frame plate assembly.

An elevated target amount of electrolyte is used to initially fill a molten carbonate fuel cell that is operated under carbon capture conditions. The increased target electrolyte fill level can be achieved in part by adding additional electrolyte to the cathode collector prior to start of operation. The increased target electrolyte fill level can provide improved fuel cell performance and lifetime when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high current density with a low-CO.sub.2 content cathode input stream and/or when operating a molten carbonate fuel cell at high CO.sub.2 utilization.