Development of advanced batteries for utility application. Interim report. [168 Ah, 100-kWh modules]
The interim results of a program to develop sodium-sulfur batteries for utility load-leveling applications are presented. The reporting period is October 1977 through May 1979. During this period a major scale-up to the first full-size (615 mm x 49.3 mm od, 168 Ah) cells was acomplished. Safety tests demonstrated the need for a safety insert for the sodium to limit the rate sodium and sulfur could react in the event of a beta tube failure. Performance testing demonstrated a cell capacity greater than the 168 Ah design value, but the electrical resistance was approximately 30% greater than the design value. Two concepts for a 100-kWh battery module were investigated. The first uses forced-convection nitrogen cooling. The second uses liquid organic coolant; it is more compact and less costly, and provides better temperature control. However, the organic coolant design introduces potential fire hazards and corrosion concerns. The use of beta'' electrolyte in test cells was deferred in favor of beta electrolyte because the resistance of the beta'' was found to increase rapidly with time and the ceramic had a short lifetime. Thus, the advantages of the low initial resistivity of beta'' compared to beta were lost after a few cycles of operation. The duplex chromized cell containers continued to show excellent corrosion resistance during cell tests of up to 17 months' duration. A model was developed and experiments were performed to characterize the performance of the resistive mat between the polysulfides and the ceramic electrolyte. Also, a new measurement of the entropy change associated with the sodium-sulfur reaction was completed. These measured values are lower than previously published values. In exterior seal development, the thermocompression bond seals were successfully used with full-sized cells, and tests showed seal strength of approx. 27.6 x 10/sup 6/ pascals (approx. 4000 psi).
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (USA). Energy Systems Programs Dept.
- OSTI ID:
- 5445168
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-EM-1341
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Development of sodium--sulfur batteries for utility application. Annual report
Development of sodium--sulfur batteries for utility application. Interim report
Related Subjects
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
SODIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
ELECTROLYTES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SAFETY
SEALS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
COOLANTS
CORROSION RESISTANCE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GRAPHS
HAZARDS
SERVICE LIFE
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DATA
DATA FORMS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
INFORMATION
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STORAGE
TESTING
250901* - Energy Storage- Batteries- Design & Development