do flow batteries ever die?

[thecoolbrian]

Do flow batteries have a duty cycle life like lithium ion batteries or can they recharge for ever. Is their any bettery that has an unlimited duty cycle life.

 

[moltenmetal]

All electrochemical devices suffer from SOME kind of side reaction or damage to their electrodes or electrolyte in service. This will require maintenance and/or replacement eventually. That goes for fuelcells as well.

 

[dcasto]

can you be more specific? All batteries will die. The batteries in a flow meter are just like those in your PC. They seem to die after about 5 years, depending on the number of times they are cycled (loss of power).

 

[hacksaw]

assuming that you are describing a pumped circulation battery, yes they do die, the recharge cycle invariably causes electrode damage then down you go. life is pretty long but it depends on the battery design, quality of the materials, and who made it.