Current status of the development of the refuelable aluminum-air battery

Conference · Tue May 10 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:6243190

Cooper, J F; Kraftick, K A; McKinley, B J

This report reviews the technical status of a refuelable aluminum-air battery using flowing caustic-aluminate electrolyte at 50 to 70/sup 0/C. Four distinct designs for rapidly-refuelable cells were evaluated in single or multicell modules on an engineering scale (167 to 1000 cm/sup 2//cell). Consideration is given to cells of the wedge configuration, which allow partial recharge, high anode utilization, and rapid refueling. Kinetic models developed for aluminum trihydroxide precipitation are used to predict the behavior of integrated cell/crystallizer systems. Drive-cycle life and polarization data are reviewed for air-electrodes under simulated vehicle operating conditions. Problems in the development of cost-effective anode alloys are described. These results are interpreted from the perspective of the potential of an aluminum-air battery to provide an elecric vehicle with the range, acceleration and rapid-refueling capabilities of common automobiles.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6243190
• Report Number(s): UCRL-89155; CONF-830812-16; ON: DE83012695
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330300 -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Electric-Powered Systems
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM-AIR BATTERIES
ANODES
BATTERY CHARGING
CATHODES
COST
CRYSTALLIZATION
CURRENT DENSITY
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
VEHICLES