Electrolyte Flow Rate Control for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries using the Linear Parameter Varying Framework

TL;DR

This paper introduces an LPV-based control method for electrolyte flow rate in vanadium redox flow batteries, optimizing energy efficiency by balancing voltage and pumping losses, validated through simulations and lab experiments.

Contribution

It presents a novel LPV framework for electrolyte flow control in VRBs, integrating nonlinear system modeling with state feedback controllers for improved efficiency.

Findings

Effective regulation of flow rate improves energy efficiency.

Simulation results demonstrate robustness under various conditions.

Lab implementation confirms practical viability.

Abstract

In this article, an electrolyte flow rate control approach is developed for an all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) system based on the linear parameter varying (LPV) framework. The electrolyte flow rate is regulated to provide a trade-off between stack voltage efficiency and pumping energy losses, so as to achieve optimal battery energy efficiency. The nonlinear process model is embedded in a linear parameter varying state-space description and a set of state feedback controllers are designed to handle fluctuations in current during both charging and discharging. Simulation studies have been conducted under different operating conditions to demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach. This control approach was further implemented on a laboratory scale VRB system.