Optimization of channel and rib dimension in serpentine flow field for vanadium redox flow battery

In redox flow battery, uniform electrolyte circulation is essential in the electrochemical reaction zone to achieve high current density. Flow field helps with the uniform distribution of electrolytes in reaction zone. In this article, the effect of different dimension of flow channels in a serpentine flow field on hydrodynamic aspects was studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Cells with active area of 927 cm(2) having various combinations of flow channels width (1, 2, and 3 mm) and rib width (1, 2, and 3 mm) were employed for optimization of uniform electrolyte distribution in the reaction zone to achieve high power density. The electrode intrusion into flow channels were of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mm and an electrode of 2.5 mm thickness were used to observe the pressure drop and electrolyte circulation effects for simulation studies. Those simulation results showed that with an increase in channel dimension, electrolyte circulation increases along with pressure drop, and with an increase in intrusion depth pressure drop also increases, therefore overall electrochemical performances will increase. This study will assist in the stack level design of the vanadium redox flow battery.