Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries

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, incl...

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Main Authors: Yongfu Liu, Yi He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4170
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author Yongfu Liu
Yi He
author_facet Yongfu Liu
Yi He
author_sort Yongfu Liu
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-245ef3a1747642a3bb71da73f507f6222025-08-20T03:02:58ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-08-011815417010.3390/en18154170Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow BatteriesYongfu Liu0Yi He1School of Intelligent Manufacturing, Huzhou College, Huzhou 313000, ChinaDepartment of Thermal Science and Energy Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Hefei 230026, ChinaAqueous 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4170aqueous redox flow batteryelectrochemical energy storagenumerical modelingmulti-scale modelingmultiphysics couplingmass transport
spellingShingle Yongfu Liu
Yi He
Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Energies
aqueous redox flow battery
electrochemical energy storage
numerical modeling
multi-scale modeling
multiphysics coupling
mass transport
title Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
title_full Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
title_fullStr Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
title_full_unstemmed Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
title_short Recent Advances in Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
title_sort recent advances in numerical modeling of aqueous redox flow batteries
topic aqueous redox flow battery
electrochemical energy storage
numerical modeling
multi-scale modeling
multiphysics coupling
mass transport
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4170
work_keys_str_mv AT yongfuliu recentadvancesinnumericalmodelingofaqueousredoxflowbatteries
AT yihe recentadvancesinnumericalmodelingofaqueousredoxflowbatteries