Tantaline, a manufacturer of tantalum-based surface alloys employed in hot acid environments, has entered the renewable energy market, in particular the flow battery segment on the strength of its corrosion technology.
The line of corrosion resistant products from Tantaline comprises cam and grove couplers, Swagelok fittings, flanges, heat exchangers, vessels and custom plumbing. Vendors of battery technology are turning to Tantaline anti-corrosive products to combat the problem of corrosion, seen as a threat to commercial viability of their batteries.
Flow batteries are an integral part of renewable energy systems. They are rechargeable fuel cells that hold liquid electrolyte in two tanks. The chemical energy is converted to electrical energy when the electrolyte flows from the cells through an electrochemical cell. These cells are used as back-up sources of power in renewable energy systems during conditions such as intermittent sun, lack of wind and at night times.
The use of highly concentrated acids such as Vanadium Redox, Sulfuric acid and Zinc Bromine in the liquid electrolyte of the flow battery is a double edged sword. The concentrated acid increases the efficiency of fuel cells but is extremely corrosive. This is where Tantaline can step in by providing corrosion-resistant products. Owing to the method adopted in developing the tantalum based products, they have the same corrosion resistance as that of Tantalum. The products offer flow battery makers a cost-effective, unique solution for producing batteries with enhanced efficiency and increased corrosion resistance.