In redox flow battery systems, reliable electrolyte circulation is essential to long-term system performance. Pump technology therefore needs to do more than deliver the required flow and pressure. Reliability, chemical resistance, energy efficiency, serviceability and maintenance all play a role over the lifetime of the system.

Building on more than 75 years of experience in demanding chemical and electrochemical applications, Hendor has developed a dedicated approach for this market:

The Hendor RFB Concept – We put the flow into flow batteries.

The concept brings together pump technology, application knowledge, serviceability and refurbishment in a practical approach developed around the requirements of redox flow battery systems.

Reliable flow starts with the right pump concept

No two flow battery systems are exactly the same. Electrolyte chemistry, system design, operating conditions, installation layout and maintenance strategy all influence the demands placed on the pump.

That is why Hendor does not approach pump technology as an isolated component.

With the Hendor RFB Concept, we look at the complete application and the role pump technology plays in supporting reliable operation over time. This includes selecting the right pump concept, considering how it will be integrated into the system and looking ahead to servicing and maintenance during the operating life of the battery.

More than a pump selection

The Hendor RFB Concept is not simply a choice between magnetic drive and vertical pump technology.

It combines pump technology adapted for redox flow battery applications with application-specific advice, long life design, practical servicing and refurbishment.

The objective is to create a pump strategy that fits not only the hydraulic requirements of the system, but also its operating conditions, expected service intervals and long-term maintenance philosophy.

This means considering questions such as:

How should the pump be integrated into the system? How easily can it be accessed during planned maintenance? What happens to the pump after it has been removed? And which pump technology best fits the electrolyte, layout and operating conditions?

These considerations are an integral part of the Hendor RFB Concept.

Designed for reliable, long-term operation

Reliability is critical in a redox flow battery system. Without electrolyte circulation, the battery cannot charge or discharge.

The Hendor RFB Concept therefore focuses on the factors that matter throughout the operating life of the system:
•    Reliable electrolyte circulation
•    Pump technology adapted for redox flow battery applications
•    Long life design
•    Service-friendly system integration
•    Efficient operation
•    Predictable maintenance
•    Refurbishment and re-use where appropriate
•    Long-term value

The objective is not simply to select a pump based on hydraulic performance, but to support a reliable and practical pump solution that fits the application and its long-term operating strategy.

Easy servicing as part of planned maintenance

Flow battery systems require planned maintenance. Pump servicing should fit naturally into that strategy rather than becoming an unexpected interruption.

The Hendor RFB Concept therefore considers serviceability from the start.

Pump installations can be designed to make removal and replacement practical during scheduled battery maintenance. This helps make pump servicing more predictable and allows maintenance activities to be integrated into the wider service strategy of the system.

For Hendor, reliability is therefore not only about how a pump performs during operation. It is also about how efficiently it can be serviced when maintenance is required.

Refurbishment through the Hendor service network

A removed pump does not automatically have to mean the end of its useful life.

Used pumps can be inspected by Hendor or through its global service network and, where appropriate, refurbished for further use.

This approach combines technical inspection, replacement of relevant components and practical service support with the objective of extending the usable life of the pump and supporting a predictable maintenance strategy.

It also reflects the wider Hendor philosophy of looking beyond purchase cost alone and considering reliability, serviceability and long-term value throughout the lifecycle of the application.

Different systems require different pump solutions

Depending on the flow battery system and application requirements, different pump technologies can offer different advantages.

Within the Hendor RFB Concept, Hendor supports applications with both magnetic drive and vertical pump solutions.

Magnetic drive pumps provide sealless chemical circulation without a mechanical shaft seal. Vertical pumps offer a different construction principle with no bearings or bushings in the wet area of the pump.

Which concept is most suitable depends on the electrolyte, system design, installation layout, operating conditions and maintenance strategy.

That is why pump selection within the Hendor RFB Concept starts with understanding the complete application.

Experience in demanding electrochemical applications

Hendor has been developing pumps and filtration solutions for demanding industrial liquid processes since 1948 and has been active in the flow battery market since 2021.

Decades of experience in chemical and electrochemical applications form the technical foundation for Hendor’s work in redox flow batteries.

The Hendor RFB Concept brings that experience together with pump technology specifically adapted for this application, practical system integration, serviceability and refurbishment.

The result is not simply a pump product, but an approach developed around reliable electrolyte circulation throughout the operating life of the flow battery system.

Discuss your flow battery system

Reliable electrolyte circulation starts with the right pump concept. Discuss your flow battery application with Hendor and discover which pump solution best fits your system, operating conditions and maintenance strategy.