Sodium--sulfur battery development program. Phase 1. Progress report, June 15, 1975--March 31, 1976

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6438960· OSTI ID:6438960

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 placed on order. Work began on the construction of the pre-pilot spray dryer and the batch and continuous sintering furnaces. A tentative testing program was arranged to permit evaluation of automatic isostatic pressing equipment. Two 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 55 Wh/kg at this high current density, whereas at 50 mA/cm/sup 2/ over 80 Wh/kg could be reached. The cell became nonfaradaic after 45 days because of ceramic failure. The second cell was put on test only recently. 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 for 30 to 60 days at 400/sup 0/C on substrates of pure chromium and iron, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, and molybdenum base alloys. These substrates were tested 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; further testing under dynamic conditions is recommended. 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: 6438960
• Report Number(s): COO-2566-45
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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