• Question: What is a flow cell?

    Asked by Zealousy to Rob on 15 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Rob Temperton

      Rob Temperton answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      To be honest, I know very little about them! I know they are large batteries (high power) and work by having two liquids that are electrolytes. Electrolytes are chemicals that ionise when dissolved – e.g. salt (NaCl) splits into Na+ and Cl- when dissolved in water.

      I think the two liquids in a flow cell are imissible (don’t mix with each other) and are separated by a membrane that stops the liquids mixing with each other but allows the ions to pass through and react. This reaction is an electrochemical one producing a voltage. I unfortunately don’t know any examples of what electrolytes are used or what the chemical reactions are.

      I think you use them because they can produce a large amount of power, and they are easy to recharge (you just add more of the electrolyte).

      That is the extent of my knowledge on the subject unfortunately. It may not all be 100% correct… perhaps one of the other scientists knows more about them?

      Rob

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