Modeling the velocity profiles in vanadium redox flow batteries-serpentine flow field

A mathematical model is developed to study the effect of performance parameters on the velocity profiles in a vanadium redox flow battery. The effects of flow rate, viscosity, porosity, electrode thickness, and the effect of channel height on the velocity profile in a vanadium redox flow battery are studied. Quantitative analysis of velocity profiles at the mid-height of the channel, at the channel-electrode interface, and mid-height of electrode thickness is done. The channel height, thickness and porosity are found to have a substantial effect on the velocity profiles across the battery. It was found that the velocity at the electrode-channel interface is about three orders of magnitude lower than the velocity in the channels. Model results are compared with experimental data and found to agree well.