Reactive metal-air batteries for automotive propulsion. Final report, August 1, 1978-November 30, 1979. [Mechanically rechargeable]
Lithium-water-air (Li-H/sub 2/O-air) cells with electrode areas of 500 cm/sup 2/ were discharged in an acrylic cell casing designed specifically for this purpose. Numerous cells were discharged in lithium hydroxide (LiOH) electrolyte at an electrolyte temperature near 25/sup 0/C. Power output was regulated by controlling the LiOH concentration in the electrolyte. The cells were normally discharged at voltages from 2.0 to 2.3 V and current densities ranging from 50 to 200 mA/cm/sup 2/. The design power density of 0.4 W/cm/sup 2/ was achieved at Li current efficiencies near 90 percent by the conclusion of the test program. The Li-H/sub 2/O-air electrochemical couple does not appear to exhibit any significant scaling factor in regard to either electrode area or the number of cells in the battery. A detailed investigation was carried out to determine the applicability of the aluminum-water-air (Al-H/sub 2/O-air) cell concept as a power source for automotive propulsion. The characteristics of various candidate Al alloys were determined in both laboratory half-cell corrosion studies and full-cell discharge studies. Examination of the effect of variations in operational parameters of a subscale 50-cm/sup 2/ cell was accomplished, and the critical parameters were identified. Evaluation of candidate air cathodes from several sources was undertaken. Cathodes from only two sources were found to have adequate polarization characteristics; of these, only one possessed the durability desired for automotive applications. For a full cell, peak power density of 378 mW/cm/sup 2/ at 425 mA/cm/sup 2/ was obtained. At a nominal useful voltage of 1.3 V, the power density was 230 mW/cm/sup 2/ at 175 mA/cm/sup 2/. Coulombic efficiencies of 90 percent were obtained. 48 figures, 9 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., Palo Alto, CA (USA). Lockheed Palo Alto Research Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- ET-78-C-03-1872
- OSTI ID:
- 5247334
- Report Number(s):
- LMSC-D-683375
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALUMINIUM-AIR BATTERIES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
LITHIUM-WATER-AIR BATTERIES
CORROSION
CURRENT DENSITY
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LITHIUM HYDROXIDES
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
INFORMATION
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
TESTING
VEHICLES
250902* - Energy Storage- Batteries- Performance & Testing