Files and links (1)
PDFOpen Access (License Unspecified), Open Access
Thesis
Applying ultrasonic testing to detect degradation mechanisms in the flow field of vanadium redox flow batteries
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010991
Abstract
In efforts to address the climate crisis, interest has been turned towards development of energy storage systems and their roles in supporting renewable energy and grid operations. Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB) have been presented as a viable technology to address large-scale energy storage needs due to their high efficiencies, flexible design, long cycling life, safety, and ability to decouple energy capacity and power output. However, for VRFBs to achieve widespread industrial usage, diagnostic tools must be developed to better characterize internal processes so that battery management systems and cell design can be further improved. Ultrasonic testing is a promising candidate for such a diagnostic tool, as it is low cost, easy to implement, and can monitor battery states during operation. Here, the viability of through-transmission ultrasonic testing is explored to detect degradation mechanisms- concentration polarization and gas evolution reactions in particular- in VRFBs. This work applies ultrasonic testing to the cell's flow field in conjunction with overcharging conditions and linear voltage sweeps to better understand internal processes being detected through ultrasonic testing. Half-cell potentials and electrolyte pH are monitored to further understand the processes observable through acoustic techniques. It is then proposed that the methodology used here is likely detecting the presence and strength concentration polarization in the vanadium redox flow cell's flow field.
Metrics
317 File views/ downloads
16 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Applying ultrasonic testing to detect degradation mechanisms in the flow field of vanadium redox flow batteries
- Creators
- William Bonnecaze
- Contributors
- Emin C. Kumbur (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- v, 51 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Engineering (1970-2026); Mechanical Engineering (and Mechanics) [Historical]; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022057637704721