Chemical Hazard Assessment of Asymmetric Vanadium Flow Battery Electrolytes in Failure Mode

IF 3.4
Kourosh Khaje, , , Behzad Fuladpanjeh-Hojaghan, , , Jürgen Gailer, , , Viola Birss, , and , Edward P. L. Roberts*, 
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Abstract

Emerging battery technologies are transforming the landscape of energy storage. Within this domain, flow batteries are increasingly seen as critical enablers for the integration and deployment of renewable energy systems. Nevertheless, the electrolytes utilized in these systems present potential risks to both human health and environmental safety. Over the past five decades, vanadium–vanadium flow batteries have become a commercially viable solution; however, several distinct electrolyte compositions have been proposed for asymmetric vanadium flow batteries (V-X FB: X = Ce, Br, Fe, Mn, Zn, H2, O2), each driven by unique technical and commercial motivations. This study aims to evaluate their risks, prioritize further research investments, and identify gaps in current efforts to advance safer and more sustainable energy storage technologies. This research builds on our prior work, entitled Chemical Hazard Assessment of Vanadium–Vanadium Flow Battery Electrolytes in Failure Mode, [ Khaje, K. ACS Chem. Health Saf. 2025, 32, 449–460]. But shifts the focus to asymmetric vanadium flow batteries that are at a lower technology readiness level and are earlier in the commercialization pathway. Overcharging of batteries has been identified as one of the primary potential failure modes, directly leading to electrolyte degradation. This condition poses significant hazards due to the potential generation of toxic gases. Depending on the electrolyte composition, overcharging may result in the release of gases, such as Cl2, Br2, SO2, H2S, PH3, NO2, CO2, NH3, or HCN, each carrying immediate risks to human health. This study shows that electrolytes containing bromide, chloride, and cyanide ions are particularly concerning, as they present the most severe toxicity hazards during failure modes. Future experimental work is needed to evaluate conditions under which gases are produced by these flow batteries under both normal and severe overcharging conditions and to quantify the associated hazards. This will provide critical insights for improving battery safety and guiding future research and development in energy storage technologies.

Abstract Image

非对称钒液流电池失效模式下电解液的化学危害评价
新兴的电池技术正在改变能源储存的格局。在这一领域,液流电池越来越被视为可再生能源系统集成和部署的关键推手。然而,这些系统中使用的电解质对人类健康和环境安全都存在潜在风险。在过去的五十年里,钒-钒液流电池已经成为一种商业上可行的解决方案;然而,对于不对称钒液流电池,已经提出了几种不同的电解质成分(V-X FB: X = Ce, Br, Fe, Mn, Zn, H2, O2),每种成分都有独特的技术和商业动机。本研究旨在评估其风险,确定进一步研究投资的优先顺序,并确定当前推进更安全和更可持续的储能技术的努力中的差距。这项研究建立在我们之前的工作基础上,题为“失效模式下钒-钒液流电池电解质的化学危害评估”,[Khaje, K. ACS Chem]。中华卫生杂志,2014,32(2):449-460。但将重点转移到不对称钒液流电池上,这种电池的技术成熟度较低,处于商业化道路的较早阶段。电池过充是电池主要的潜在失效模式之一,它直接导致电池电解液的退化。由于可能产生有毒气体,这种情况造成重大危害。根据电解液组成的不同,过充可能导致Cl2、Br2、SO2、H2S、PH3、NO2、CO2、NH3或HCN等气体的释放,这些气体对人体健康有直接的危害。这项研究表明,含有溴化物、氯化物和氰化物离子的电解质尤其令人担忧,因为它们在失效模式下呈现出最严重的毒性危害。未来的实验工作需要评估这些液流电池在正常和严重过充条件下产生气体的条件,并量化相关的危害。这将为提高电池安全性和指导未来储能技术的研究和开发提供关键见解。
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