High-performance batteries for off-peak energy storage and electric-vehicle propulsion. Progress report, April--June 1976. [Li--Al/LiCl--KCl/FeS or FeS/sub 2/, operate at 400 to 450 C; some work on Na/FeS/sub 2/ and CaMg/sub 2//CaCl/sub 2/--LiCl/sub 2/KCl/FeS cells]

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

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7143138· OSTI ID:7143138

The research and management efforts of the program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) on lithium/metal sulfide batteries during the period April--June 1976 are described. These batteries are being developed for energy storage on utility networks and for electric-vehicle propulsion. The present cells, which operate at 400 to 450/sup 0/C, are vertically oriented, prismatic cells with a central positive electrode of FeS or FeS/sub 2/, two facing negative electrodes of lithium--aluminum alloy, and an electrolyte of molten LiCl--KCl. Electrodes and cells are being fabricated by several industrial firms. Cells produced are being tested and evaluated--as single cells and as two- and three- cell batteries. New electrode and cell designs are being developed and tested, and promising designs will be incorporated in industrially fabricated cells. The concepts receiving major attention include the fabrication of electrodes in the uncharged state (positive electrodes of Li/sub 2/S and Fe and negative electrodes of porous aluminum), the use of carbon-bonded current-collector structures in the positive electrode, the fabrication of electrodes by hot-pressing active materials and electrolyte, and the use of additives. Efforts are also under way to develop improved cell feedthroughs and electrode separators. Design work is in progress on a 30-kWh battery for a small four-passenger vehicle; this effort includes design calculations and setting specifications for the vehicle. Other battery engineering work is directed to the development of monitoring and cycling equipment and battery components. Cell chemistry studies include the wetting of materials by molten LiCl--KCl and potentiometric measurements on metal sulfide phases. Work is continuing on the development of alternative secondary cell systems. 17 figures, 11 tables.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 7143138
• Report Number(s): ANL-76-81
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
250903 -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ANL
BATTERY SEPARATORS
CALCIUM ALLOYS
CALCIUM CHLORIDES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM HALIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CORROSION
DESIGN
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
FABRICATION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
LITHIUM ALLOYS
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
MAGNESIUM ALLOYS
MAGNESIUM BASE ALLOYS
MATERIALS
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
METALS
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
ORES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
PYRITE
PYRITES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SODIUM
SPECIFICATIONS
STORAGE
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR ORES
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VEHICLES