Li/FeS/sub 2/ system for thermal batteries

Technical Report · Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:6206588

Bush, D M

The feasibility of a magnesium/iron disulfide thermal battery has recently been demonstrated. This report describes the substitution of lithium alloys for the Mg anodes in both platen-heated single cells and pyrotechnically activated batteries. The advantage of the Li alloys anodes is that they give 0.5 V or 33% more voltage per cell than Mg. Both Li--Al (20 w/o Li) and Li--Si (40 to 53 w/o Li) alloys were evaluated. During single-cell tests, Li--Al performed as well as Mg and Li--Si gave longer life for the same weight anode. Because of the superior performance on a weight basis, most investigations involved Li--Si anodes. Voltage plateaus typical of the Li--Si anodes were observed, and were particularly evident when a reference electrode was used. Discharge time to the plateau transitions was found to be directly proportional to the anode weight, current density, and Li--Si alloy composition. Li--Si alloys with 45 w/o Li could be routinely handled in the dry room, but some reaction was noted with 52 weight percent (w/o) alloy powder. Ten- and 16-cell batteries were tested, the latter beng a nominal 28 V. Best results were obtained with the Li--Si anodes; a 16-cell battery discharged at 50 mA/cm/sup 2/ had a life of 63 min to 24.0 V in a 12.7-cm diam can, and 59 min in a 11.4-cm can. This latter unit was assembled for direct comparison with a prior Ca/CaCrO/sub 4/ battery which had been discharged at 15 mA/cm/sup 2/. While the cell voltage was somewhat lower, the ability of the Li--Si/FeS/sub 2/ battery to operate for an hour at the higher current density resulted in twice the volumetric specific energy. 14 figures, 10 tables.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 6206588
• Report Number(s): SAND-79-0470
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
THERMAL BATTERIES
ANODES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE
LITHIUM
PERFORMANCE
PYRITE
SERVICE LIFE
ALUMINIUM BASE ALLOYS
SILICON ALLOYS
ALKALI METALS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
CHALCOGENIDES
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
METALS
MINERALS
ORES
PYRITES
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR ORES
THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
250903* - Energy Storage- Batteries- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries