chemical flow devices

[coppercone2]

Has anyone here had any experience with chemical flow devices like batteries that require pumps, i.e. bromine battery flow cell etc?

The idea is that there are two pumps that pump reactants together to make electricity or something else. The only other thing I can think of is pumping glowstick chemicals to make light for whatever reason.

for instance,
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/11/15/redox-flow-battery-with-capacity-retention-of-99-98-per-cycle/

https://redflow.com/zbm3-battery

Just want to hear stories

[MarkT]

I know that large vanadium flow batteries are used commercially: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanadium_redox_battery

[jpanhalt]

The idea is that there are two pumps that pump reactants together to make electricity or something else. The only other thing I can think of is pumping glowstick chemicals to make light for whatever reason.

There are countless examples of continuous flow systems to "make something.*"  They date way back.   Whether light is produced seems irrelevant.  Whatever is produced is dependent on design.

One 20th century example from the medical field is the Technicon Autoanalyzer.  Circulatory systems in animals and plants date from even earlier.  It's not new.  The Autoanalyzer concept has now pretty much been replaced with discrete sampling in medical labs.  Discrete sampling with modern electronics and data management can have advantages. 

On an industrial scale for a single purpose, continuous flow may have an advantage.  Steel is still made in batches.

*Just 2 examples:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_chemistry
https://cbe.osu.edu/sites/default/files/uploads/scriven.pdf

[coppercone2]

Well I mean along the line of EE not CE

lights an electricity are EE things. Once you start making materials for industry that's definitely CE. Making something that turns a turbine is ME or Aerospace.

[jpanhalt]

Does electron transport count as EE?  If so, air breathing animals are exquisite examples of electron transport where oxygen is the terminal receptor.  Our heart is the pump.

EDIT: You might also include electrophoresis where the "pump" is electro-endosmotic flow.
https://acikders.ankara.edu.tr/mod/resource/view.php?id=58367#:~:text=When%20a%20high%20voltage%20is,Endo%20Osmotic%20Flow%20(EOF).

[coppercone2]

also possibly chemical lasers

I like the idea of a glow stick chemical flow light though.