Sodium-sulfur cell with method of constructing the sulfur electrode

Patent · Tue May 26 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6131323

King, R N; Mitoff, S P

A sodium-sulfur cell is disclosed herein along with a method of constructing its sulfur electrode. The cell includes means containing a supply of sodium, an elongated housing joined at one end with sodium containing means, a beta-alumina electrolyte tube located within and extending from the joined end of the housing so as to define a compartment within the housing around the tube. A mixture including sulfur and an electrically conductive filler is disposed within the compartment and forms the cells sulfur electrode. In constructing this electrode, sufficient space is initially provided within the cell compartment around the betaalumina electrolyte tube to allow for expansion of the sulfur when the latter converts from its solidified state during initial storage to its molten state during operation of the cell, thereby minimizing the possibility of damage to the electrolyte tube as a result of this expansion.

• Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
• Patent Number(s): US 4269909
• OSTI ID: 6131323
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DESIGN
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
EXPANSION
FABRICATION
FILLERS
MELTING
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
SODIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
SULFUR
THERMAL EXPANSION
TUBES