A Group Additivity Based-Thermodynamic Analysis of a Conceptual Glycerol/Ferric Redox Flow Battery

A predictive thermodynamic analysis is developed and applied to the study and proof of a conceptual glycerol redox flow battery. Reactions toward electrochemical formation of several oxidation and reduction products of glycerol in acidic media under discharge and charging conditions of the proposed glycerol flow battery are presented. Free energy values of the reaction species as estimated by the Group Additivity Value (GAV) method were used to determine the feasibility of these proposed reaction towards cogeneration of electricity and commodity chemicals. The equilibrium voltages representing the maximum electrical work under these conditions are also computed.