Hydrogen Bromine Redox Flow Battery Cell Performance Study

Demand for large scale energy storage of output from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, has been increased tremendously. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) have advantages for use on the grid including long cycle life, long battery life, high round trip efficiency etc. The hydrogen/bromine redox flow battery is a good candidate technology. This system uses inexpensive chemicals on both anode and cathode and the cell has a high coulombic efficiency, with of low self-discharge rate. We also think of the hydrogen-bromine system as a stepping-stone to other technologies that might use a bromine electrode. In this sense, we can probe the mass transport of bromine and bromide into membranes without complications arising from interactions from the build-up of other species from the other electrode. In this study, we report both cell testing and diagnostics development as well as studies of the effects of HBr uptake and transport into the membrane.