Method of preparing electrolyte for use in fuel cells

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:863187

Kinoshita, Kimio ^[1]; Ackerman, John P ^[1]

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1. Downers Grove, IL

An electrolyte compact for fuel cells includes a particulate support material of lithium aluminate that contains a mixture of alkali metal compounds, such as carbonates or hydroxides, as the active electrolyte material. The porous lithium aluminate support structure is formed by mixing alumina particles with a solution of lithium hydroxide and another alkali metal hydroxide, evaporating the solvent from the solution and heating to a temperature sufficient to react the lithium hydroxide with alumina to form lithium aluminate. Carbonates are formed by reacting the alkali metal hydroxides with carbon dioxide gas in an exothermic reaction which may proceed simultaneously with the formation with the lithium aluminate. The mixture of lithium aluminate and alkali metal in an electrolyte active material is pressed or otherwise processed to form the electrolyte structure for assembly into a fuel cell.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4115632
• OSTI ID: 863187
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
preparing
electrolyte
fuel
cells
compact
particulate
support
material
lithium
aluminate
contains
mixture
alkali
metal
compounds
carbonates
hydroxides
active
porous
structure
formed
mixing
alumina
particles
solution
hydroxide
evaporating
solvent
heating
temperature
sufficient
react
form
reacting
carbon
dioxide
gas
exothermic
reaction
proceed
simultaneously
formation
pressed
otherwise
processed
assembly
cell
lithium hydroxide
dioxide gas
metal hydroxides
fuel cell
alumina particles
exothermic reaction
lithium aluminate
metal compound
metal compounds
active material
carbon dioxide
fuel cells
alkali metal
temperature sufficient
support structure
metal hydroxide
support material
electrolyte structure
electrolyte material
particulate support
active electrolyte
oxide gas
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