Design of a Non-Flowing Zinc Bromine Battery

Abstract

The design concept for a novel, low cost zinc bromine battery is presented and a focus is taken on methods to prevent and test catastrophic bromine contamination throughout the cell if it is run without complexing agents or a separator. A bromine wicking carbon foam electrode design presented within shows some promise for preventing this problem in future research. A non-invasive method of estimating bromine concentration optically is also presented and implemented. Its measurements are not accurate enough to be practically useful, but it serves as an important proof of concept. This thesis explores the above mentioned concepts and gives suggestions for future research.