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A novel archimedes screw-inspired tubular cell design for flowable electrochemical systems
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A novel archimedes screw-inspired tubular cell design for flowable electrochemical systems

Jonathan C. Ehring, Huseyin Engin Sever, Ali V. Mizrak and Emin C. Kumbur
Journal of power sources, v 665, 239090
15 Feb 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.239090

Abstract

Electrochemical flow capacitor Flow cell Flow-electrode Tubular cell design
Flow-electrode systems face critical challenges related to low power density and excessive pumping energy requirements, particularly at high solid phase concentrations. To address these limitations, we introduce the Nested Archimedes Screw–Electrochemical Flow Cell (NAS-EFC), a novel cell design that integrates concentric helical screws within membrane-separated tubular channels. The cylindrical geometry offers an increased surface-to-volume ratio relative to conventional planar cell designs, improving spatial utilization of the active material. In combination, the concentric rotating screws actively generate particle mixing within the reactor volume, supporting higher volumetric power densities. By integrating the screw-pump mechanism throughout the reactor volume, the NAS-EFC continuously transports high-viscosity suspensions up to 51.2 vol% solid loading—a 200 % increase compared to a planar cell configuration. Demonstrated as an electrochemical flow capacitor device, the NAS-EFC achieved a high specific capacitance of 97 F g−1 (@ 1 mV s−1) and a coulombic efficiency of 94.5 % at 1.5 V in static mode. The proposed architecture enables simultaneous fluid propulsion and electrochemical energy conversion, allowing high-solids suspensions to circulate with only modest increases in pumping energy (3.2 % at 14.9 vol% and 19.6 % at 51.2 vol%), even at extreme loadings where planar flow cells fail to operate efficiently. •A tubular (cylindrical) flow cell design is proposed.•A screw-pump mechanism integrated into the cell design improved handling of solids.•Shear-induced particle mixing increased steady-state power densities.•Dynamic torque measurements demonstrate low increases in pumping energy.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Chemistry, Physical
Electrochemistry
Energy & Fuels
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
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