Process for recharging secondary batteries. [Vapor transport of S during recharging improved by maintaining temperature gradient in cathodic reaction zone]

Patent · Tue Aug 24 00:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:7146022

Minck, R W; Weber, N; Chang, Y

An improved process is described for recharging secondary cells or batteries of the type which in the discharged state comprise (a) an anodic reaction zone containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit; (b) a cathodic reaction zone containing (1) cathodic reactants selected from the group consisting of (i) a single-phase composition comprising molten polysulfide salts of the anodic reactant and (ii) a two-phase composition comprising molten sulfur and molten sulfur-saturated polysulfide salts of the anodic reactant and (2) an electrode of porous, electronically conductive material which is at least partially immersed in the cathodic reactants; and (c) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with the anodic and cathodic reaction zones, the porous, electronically conductive material being in electrical contact with both the cation-permeable barrier and an external circuit. The improvement of the invention comprises maintaining a temperature gradient within the cathodic reaction zone during recharging such that the temperature of the cathodic reactants in a first region adjacent the solid electrolyte is sufficiently higher than the temperature of the reactants in a second region not adjacent the solid electrolyte such that sulfur in the first region vaporizes and is transported to the second region, where it condenses. 3 figures.

• Assignee: Ford Motor Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3976503
• OSTI ID: 7146022
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 14 Apr 1975
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
SODIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
BATTERY CHARGING
HEATING
SODIUM SULFIDES
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
250902* - Energy Storage- Batteries- Performance & Testing