Ford/ERDA sodium--sulfur battery development: phase I. Final report, June 15, 1975--March 31, 1976. [/sup 286/ W/kg, 44 wh/kg]

Technical Report · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:6353698

Weiner, S A

The pre-pilot facility for the batch production of ..beta..''alumina tubing was designed and remodeled. Critical items of capital equipment were specified and placed on order. Work began on the construction of the pre-pilot spray dryer and the batch and continuous sintering furnaces. Preliminary contacts were made with a commercial vendor of isostatic presses concerning the spray drying of materials suitable for automatic isostatic pressing. A tentative testing program was arranged to permit evaluation of automatic isostatic pressing equipment for eventual purchase and installation in the pilot plant. Cells incorporating high-power-density electrode design and stainless steel containers for sodium and sulfur were designed, constructed, and tested. The first cell delivered an average of 286 W/kg during one discharge cycle at 750 mA/cm/sup 2/. The energy density was 44 Wh/kg at this high current density, whereas at 50 mA/cm/sup 2/ over 80 Wh/kg could be reached. The cell became non-faradaic after 45 days because of ceramic failure. A cell with separate compartments for charging and discharging and with electrodes optimized for either task was tested successfully. Efforts to develop corrosion resistant sulfur container materials were inititated. Static sodium tetrasulfide corrosion tests were conducted at 400/sup 0/C on substrates with and without various surface treatments and protective coatings. The results showed that aluminum, molybdenum, ferritic stainless steels, and Inconels show varying degrees of promise. The first cell tested under this program was thoroughly examined after failure. The coating of graphite filled polyphenylene resin applied to the AISI 446 stainless steel container had not stood up satisfactorily perhaps owing to overheating. There were no signs of degradation of any of the seals. 21 figures.

• Research Organization: Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, MI (USA). Scientific and Research Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-02-2566
• OSTI ID: 6353698
• Report Number(s): TID-28989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONTAINERS
CORROSION
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
FABRICATION
MATERIALS
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM OXIDES
SODIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
TUBES