High-performance batteries for stationary energy storage and electric-vehicle propulsion. Progress report, April--June 1977

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5261896· OSTI ID:5261896

Research, development, and management activities of the program on lithium--aluminum/metal sulfide batteries during April--June 1977 are described. These batteries are being developed for electric-vehicle propulsion and stationary energy storage. The present cells, which operate at 400--450/sup 0/C, are of a vertically oriented, prismatic design with a central positive electrode of FeS or FeS/sub 2/, two facing negative electrodes of lithium--aluminum alloy, and an electrolyte of molten LiCl--KCl. Testing and evaluation of industrially fabricated cells is continuing. Li--Al/FeS and Li--Al/FeS/sub 2/ cells from Eagle--Picher Industries and from Gould Inc. were tested. These tests provided information on the effects of design modifications and alternative materials for cells. Improved electrode and cell designs are being developed and tested, and the more promising designs are incorporated into the industrially fabricated cells. Among the concepts receiving major attention are carbon-bonded positive electrodes, scaled-up designs of stationary energy storage cells, additives to extend electrode lifetime, alternative electrode separators, and pellet-grid electrodes. Materials development efforts included the development of a lightweight electrical feedthrough; studies of various current-collector designs; investigation of powder separators; wettability and corrosion tests of materials for cell components; and postoperative examinations of cells. Cell chemistry studies were concerned with discharge mechanisms of FeS electrodes and with other transition-metal sulfides as positive electrode materials. Voltammetric studies were conducted to investigate the reversibility of the FeS/sub 2/ electrode. The use of calcium and magnesium alloys for the negative electrode in advanced battery systems were investigated. 8 figures, 12 tables.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5261896
• Report Number(s): ANL-77-68
• 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
CALCIUM ALLOYS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
DESIGN
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
KINETICS
LITHIUM ALLOYS
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
MATERIALS
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
PYRITE
PYRITES
REACTION KINETICS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
STORAGE
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VEHICLES