IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i15p4170-d1718882.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries

Author

Listed:
  • Yongfu Liu

    (School of Intelligent Manufacturing, Huzhou College, Huzhou 313000, China)

  • Yi He

    (Department of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230026, China)

Abstract

Aqueous redox flow batteries (ARFBs) have attracted significant attention in the field of electrochemical energy storage due to their high intrinsic safety, low cost, and flexible system configuration. However, the advancement of this technology is still hindered by several critical challenges, including capacity decay, structural optimization, and the design and application of key materials as well as their performance within battery systems. Addressing these issues requires systematic theoretical foundations and scientific guidance. Numerical modeling has emerged as a powerful tool for investigating the complex physical and electrochemical processes within flow batteries across multiple spatial and temporal scales. It also enables predictive performance analysis and cost-effective optimization at both the component and system levels, thus accelerating research and development. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the modeling of ARFBs. Taking the all-vanadium redox flow battery as a representative example, we summarize the key multiphysics phenomena involved and introduce corresponding multi-scale modeling strategies. Furthermore, specific modeling considerations are discussed for phase-change ARFBs, such as zinc-based ones involving solid–liquid phase transition, and hydrogen–bromine systems characterized by gas–liquid two-phase flow, highlighting their distinctive features compared to vanadium systems. Finally, this paper explores the major challenges and potential opportunities in the modeling of representative ARFB systems, aiming to provide theoretical guidance and technical support for the continued development and practical application of ARFB technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongfu Liu & Yi He, 2025. "Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-38, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:4170-:d:1718882
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4170/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4170/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pugach, M. & Kondratenko, M. & Briola, S. & Bischi, A., 2018. "Zero dimensional dynamic model of vanadium redox flow battery cell incorporating all modes of vanadium ions crossover," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 560-569.
    2. Messaggi, M. & Canzi, P. & Mereu, R. & Baricci, A. & Inzoli, F. & Casalegno, A. & Zago, M., 2018. "Analysis of flow field design on vanadium redox flow battery performance: Development of 3D computational fluid dynamic model and experimental validation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 1057-1070.
    3. Park, Gyunho & Jeong, Hayoung & Lee, Wonmi & Han, Jeong Woo & Chang, Duck Rye & Kwon, Yongchai, 2024. "Scaled-up aqueous redox flow battery using anthraquinone negalyte and vanadium posilyte with inorganic additive," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 353(PB).
    4. Yin, Cong & Gao, Yan & Guo, Shaoyun & Tang, Hao, 2014. "A coupled three dimensional model of vanadium redox flow battery for flow field designs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 886-895.
    5. Yang, Xiao-Guang & Ye, Qiang & Cheng, Ping & Zhao, Tim S., 2015. "Effects of the electric field on ion crossover in vanadium redox flow batteries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 306-319.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Chen, Hui & Li, Xiangrong & Gao, Hai & Liu, Jianguo & Yan, Chuanwei & Tang, Ao, 2019. "Numerical modelling and in-depth analysis of multi-stack vanadium flow battery module incorporating transport delay," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 13-23.
    2. Iñigo Aramendia & Unai Fernandez-Gamiz & Adrian Martinez-San-Vicente & Ekaitz Zulueta & Jose Manuel Lopez-Guede, 2020. "Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries: A Review Oriented to Fluid-Dynamic Optimization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Shi, Yu & Eze, Chika & Xiong, Binyu & He, Weidong & Zhang, Han & Lim, T.M. & Ukil, A. & Zhao, Jiyun, 2019. "Recent development of membrane for vanadium redox flow battery applications: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 202-224.
    4. Ha, Jinho & Kim, Youngkwon & Choi, Jung-Il, 2025. "Surrogate model-based parameter estimation framework of physics-based model for vanadium redox flow batteries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 383(C).
    5. Wu, Tao & Huang, Yan-feng & Fei, Yue & Chen, Xing-ni & Xu, Bin, 2024. "Study on the effects of electrode fiber and flow channel arrangements on mass transfer and electrochemical performance of vanadium redox flow batteries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    6. Duan, Z.N. & Qu, Z.G. & Wang, Q. & Wang, J.J., 2019. "Structural modification of vanadium redox flow battery with high electrochemical corrosion resistance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 1632-1640.
    7. Pugach, M. & Vyshinsky, V. & Bischi, A., 2019. "Energy efficiency analysis for a kilo-watt class vanadium redox flow battery system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Zeng, Yikai & Li, Fenghao & Lu, Fei & Zhou, Xuelong & Yuan, Yanping & Cao, Xiaoling & Xiang, Bo, 2019. "A hierarchical interdigitated flow field design for scale-up of high-performance redox flow batteries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C), pages 435-441.
    9. Toja, F. & Perlini, L. & Facchi, D. & Casalegno, A. & Zago, M., 2024. "Dramatic mitigation of capacity decay and volume variation in vanadium redox flow batteries through modified preparation of electrolytes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 354(PB).
    10. Puleston, Thomas & Serra, Maria & Costa-Castelló, Ramon, 2024. "Vanadium redox flow battery capacity loss mitigation strategy based on a comprehensive analysis of electrolyte imbalance effects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 355(C).
    11. Ha, Jinho & Kim, Seongyoon & Kim, Youngkwon & Choi, Jung-Il, 2025. "Capacity fade-aware parameter identification of zero-dimensional model for vanadium redox flow batteries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    12. Cheng, Ziqiang & Tenny, Kevin M. & Pizzolato, Alberto & Forner-Cuenca, Antoni & Verda, Vittorio & Chiang, Yet-Ming & Brushett, Fikile R. & Behrou, Reza, 2020. "Data-driven electrode parameter identification for vanadium redox flow batteries through experimental and numerical methods," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    13. Li, Li & Zheng, Keqing & Ni, Meng & Leung, Michael K.H. & Xuan, Jin, 2015. "Partial modification of flow-through porous electrodes in microfluidic fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 563-571.
    14. Zhang, Chao & Wei, Yi-Li & Cao, Peng-Fei & Lin, Meng-Chang, 2018. "Energy storage system: Current studies on batteries and power condition system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3091-3106.
    15. Chen, Wei & Kang, Jialun & Shu, Qing & Zhang, Yunsong, 2019. "Analysis of storage capacity and energy conversion on the performance of gradient and double-layered porous electrode in all-vanadium redox flow batteries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 341-355.
    16. Sun, Jie & Zheng, Menglian & Yang, Zhongshu & Yu, Zitao, 2019. "Flow field design pathways from lab-scale toward large-scale flow batteries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 637-646.
    17. Zhou, X.L. & Zhao, T.S. & An, L. & Zeng, Y.K. & Yan, X.H., 2015. "A vanadium redox flow battery model incorporating the effect of ion concentrations on ion mobility," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 157-166.
    18. Muqing Ding & Tao Liu & Yimin Zhang & Hong Liu & Dong Pan & Liming Chen, 2021. "Physicochemical and Electrochemical Characterization of Vanadium Electrolyte Prepared with Different Grades of V 2 O 5 Raw Materials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-15, September.
    19. Yoon, Sang Jun & Kim, Sangwon & Kim, Dong Kyu, 2019. "Optimization of local porosity in the electrode as an advanced channel for all-vanadium redox flow battery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 26-35.
    20. Alejandro Clemente & Ramon Costa-Castelló, 2020. "Redox Flow Batteries: A Literature Review Oriented to Automatic Control," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-31, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:15:p:4170-:d:1718882. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.