nanoFLOWCELL to present new QUANT F flow cell EV at Geneva
11 February 2015
Liechtenstein-based R&D company nanoFLOWCELL will present its new QUANT F electric vehicle at the upcoming Geneva show; the QUANT F is a further development of the QUANT E from 2014, the first automobile with flow cell drive to be approved by the German TÜV technical inspection authority. (Earlier post.)
The nanoFlowcell (a flow battery) is operated with two ionic fluids, one with a positive charge and one with a negative charge, said Chief Technical Officer Nunzio La Vecchia. With a total tank capacity of 500 liters—2x 250 liters in two tanks accommodated separately in the QUANT’s substructure—the QUANT F has a projected range of 800 km (497 miles)—a 30% increase in comparison to the QUANT E from 2014.
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| Side view of the new QUANT F. Click to enlarge. |
The fact that we store the energy for our drive in a fluid provides us with enormous advantages over systems employed to date in the field of electric mobility. We can use all the cavities in the vehicle to transport the ionic fluid. As the fluid is neither flammable nor toxic, we believe we are absolutely on the right track with this medium.
—Nunzio La Vecchia
The new car features a new drive system with a two-speed automatic, and delivers top speed of more than 300 km/h (186 mph). The QUANT F attains peak output of 1075 hp/802 kW for a limited duration and a maximum rated voltage of 735 V (previously 600 V).
This represents a massive increase for an electric vehicle. In this connection, I would expressly like to point out that we researchers are not interested here in pumping up hp/kW figures, but rather in realising what is technically feasible. For both technical and economic reasons, the rated voltage for normal operation of the QUANT F will stand at approximately 400 V in future. This enables efficient and economical driving and means correspondingly greater ranges accompanied by outstanding performance with zero harmful emissions.
—Nunzio La Vecchia
The enhanced nanoFlowcell continuously feeds more than 50 amperes of current into the newly developed buffer system of the QUANT F. In turn, this buffer system is briefly able to supply over 2000 amperes when needed for full performance.
To our knowledge, no-one has ever before put a system delivering over 2000 amperes on the road in a passenger car. This is unique. We achieve this by combining our flow battery with the new buffer system. This system opens up vast potential for the future of electric mobility.
—Nunzio La Vecchia
The permanent 4x4 all-wheel drive, which is implemented via four electric motors, can be converted automatically into a rear-wheel drive at appropriately high speeds or high acceleration rates. To this end the front axle is declutched and subsequently runs in idling mode.
A 2-stage aerofoil is another new feature on the QUANT F. This is activated automatically on attaining a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), applying additional negative lift force to the rear wheels for sporty driving, particularly at high speeds.
A newly developed monocoque made of carbon fibre with a narrower A-pillar provides the QUANT F with a more spacious interior and elegant lines while offering passenger safety.
nanoFlowcell said it is aiming for homologation pf the QUANT F for the purposes of series production.
That 500 liters is probably in the neighborhood of 800lbs which is just plain silly. You don't need the extra range that much.
Hell, a 250 mile range with half the battery size would be much better.
Posted by: DaveD | 11 February 2015 at 08:15 AM
The Tesla has 1200 pounds of batteries in more than 7000 cells. 600 pounds to go the same range with 10,000 cycles and no capacity degradation would not be bad.
Posted by: SJC | 11 February 2015 at 10:05 AM
500L = 132 gallons. Two 66 gallon tanks have to be huge - how are they fitting those in the vehicle?
Posted by: Anthony F | 11 February 2015 at 12:29 PM
500L of water weighs 500 kg, about 1100 pounds. Dense solutions of salts weigh even more, certainly more than the Telsa battery, once you include the tanks.
I wonder what the maximum continuous speed is if the battery only continuously supplies 50 A @ 735V = 37 kW. From the published curves, a Tesla Model S can only drive at about 85 MPH on that power. The top speed could be 186 MPH, but the max cruising speed seems to be much less.
Posted by: Aetapull | 11 February 2015 at 09:20 PM
hmm interesting is it complete vaporware or simply too expensive tech...
Posted by: As Aha | 12 February 2015 at 12:26 AM
@Dave
If I am understanding this tech right the flow battery isn't recharged like a conventional battery. You can't plug it in at any convenient outlet, instead you recharge it by pumping out the used liquids in the tanks and then pump in fresh ones. This means you have to go to a gas station like location like our current cars do. Given that, it is a good idea to have the range of a petrol powered car - for the same reasons.
Posted by: ai_vin | 12 February 2015 at 08:44 AM
A REDOX flow battery can be recharged with electricity or restored with fluid. The Phinergy aluminum primary battery can only be restored by an aluminum change. That is one of the good features of a lithium flow battery, it CAN be electrically recharged 10,000 times without losing a lot of capacity.
Posted by: SJC | 12 February 2015 at 08:08 PM
500L = 132 gallons. Two 66 gallon tanks have to be huge - how are they fitting those in the vehicle?
From the article: "The fact that we store the energy for our drive in a fluid provides us with enormous advantages over systems employed to date in the field of electric mobility. We can use all the cavities in the vehicle to transport the ionic fluid."
There are a lot of hidden space inside a car's body that we don't even think about.
Posted by: ai_vin | 12 February 2015 at 11:23 PM
Here's a thought: If these flowcells can store 800 km worth of energy within the cavities found in a car how much energy could be stored in the basement of your house?
Combine these cells with rooftop solar for year round RE, a pumping system in your garage to quickly recharge your car between trips, and a self driving car to maximize its use against its costs; http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/02/20150213-umtri.html
Posted by: ai_vin | 13 February 2015 at 12:17 PM
We have an extensive thread on the "Quant" over at TMC:
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/28239-NanoFlowcell-Quant-Quantino
Short version, it looks like a scam.
Posted by: JRP3 | 22 February 2015 at 10:26 AM