Development of lithium/metal sulfide batteries at Argonne National Laboratory: summary report for 1977. [Li--Al or Li--Si anode; FeS, FeS/sub 2/, or NiS/sub 2/ cathode]

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5156759· OSTI ID:5156759

Nelson, P. A.; Steunenberg, R. K.; Chilenskas, A. A.; Gay, E. C.; Battles, J. E.; Hornstra, F.; Miller, W. E.; Roche, M. F.; Shimotake, H.

Highlights for 1977 of Argonne National Laboratory's program on the development of lithium/metal sulfide batteries are presented. Intended applications are electric-vehicle propulsion and stationary-energy-storage applications such as load-leveling. The battery cells consist of a lithium--aluminum or lithium--silicon alloy negative electrode, an FeS or FeS/sub 2/ positive electrode, and a molten LiCl--KCl electrolyte, which requires an operating temperature of 400 to 450/sup 0/C. Most of the cells tested during the year were of a prismatic design, with capacities in the range of 100 to 200 Ah. Subcontracts were continued with industrial firms on the development of cell fabrication techniques and fabrication of electrical feedthroughs and electrode separators. Proposals were solicited for the development, design, and fabrication of a 40 kWh battery to be tested in an electric van early in 1979. After testing the 40 kWh battery, electric-vehicle batteries with higher performance, longer lifetime, and potentially lower cost in mass production will be fabricated. Conceptual designs for a 6 Mwh battery module for stationary energy storage were completed. Cells of about 4 kWh capacity are to be assembled into submodules. Nearly 200 cells were fabricated by industrial subcontractors in 1977 for testing; approximately 45 additional cells of various designs were fabricated and tested at ANL to evaluate different types of electrodes, current collectors, separators, and other cell components. Work was continued on the development and testing of materials for various cell components, and post-test examinations of cells were made to evaluate the behavior of cell materials and to determine the causes of cell failure. Chemistry studies during the year were concerned primarily with the electrochemistry of FeS/sub 2/ and NiS/sub 2/ electrodes. 10 figures, 6 tables.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., Ill. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5156759
• Report Number(s): ANL-78-20
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ANL
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
FABRICATION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
LITHIUM ALLOYS
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
MATERIALS TESTING
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
NICKEL SULFIDES
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
ORES
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
PYRITE
PYRITES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SILICON ALLOYS
STORAGE
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR ORES
TEST FACILITIES
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VEHICLES