Patent ID: 7740977

Claim:
A redox flow battery having a low-volume mode and a full-volume mode, comprising: a system module, comprising, a first anolyte reservoir, a first catholyte reservoir, and a cell comprising a negative compartment in fluid communication with said first anolyte reservoir and a positive compartment in fluid communication with said first catholyte reservoir; a second anolyte reservoir; and a second catholyte reservoir; wherein in the low-volume mode, the redox flow battery is configured to fluidly isolate contents of said second anolyte reservoir from said first anolyte reservoir and said negative compartment, and to fluidly isolate contents of said second catholyte reservoir from said first catholyte reservoir and said positive compartment; and wherein, in the full-volume mode, the redox flow battery is configured to provide for, circulating the contents of said second anolyte reservoir and said first anolyte reservoir through a first fluid connection of said second anolyte reservoir to said first anolyte reservoir, and through a second fluid connection of said second anolyte reservoir to said negative compartment while anolyte flows from said negative compartment into said second anolyte reservoir, and circulating the contents of said second catholyte reservoir and said first catholyte reservoir through a first fluid connection of said second catholyte reservoir to said first catholyte reservoir, and through a second fluid connection of said second anolyte reservoir to said positive compartment while catholyte flows from said positive compartment into said second catholyte reservoir.