High-performance batteries for off-peak energy storage and electric-vehicle propulsion. Progress report, July--December 1975. [Li--Al/LiCl--KCl/FeS or FeS/sub 2/]

Technical Report · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7269688

This report describes the research and management efforts of Argonne National Laboratory's program on high-performance lithium/metal sulfide batteries during the period July--December 1975. The batteries are being developed for two applications: off-peak energy storage in electric utility networks and electric-vehicle propulsion. The battery designs for the two applications differ, particularly in cell configuration and electrode design, because of the differing performance requirements. The present cells are vertically oriented, prismatic cells with two negative electrodes of a solid lithium--aluminum alloy and a central positive electrode of iron sulfide (FeS/sub 2/ or FeS). The electrolyte is molten LiCl--KCl eutectic, which requires a cell temperature of about 400--450/sup 0/C. Effort was continued on the development of engineering-scale cells with hot-pressed electrodes assembled in the uncharged state (positive electrode of Li/sub 2/S--Fe, negative electrode of Al). Studies of electrodes were directed principally toward developing positive electrodes of FeS/sub 2/ and FeS in carbon-bonded structures and toward improving the performance and lowering the cost of negative Li--Al electrodes. Materials studies included work on improved separators and feedthroughs, corrosion tests of materials in the cell environment, and postoperative examinations of cells. Work in the area of cell chemistry included the continuing studies of cell reactions and investigations of advanced cell systems. Battery design work was directed toward the design of a battery for an electric vehicle, development of battery components, and design and construction of battery testing facilities. Efforts were continued on contractual arrangements with industrial firms to develop and fabricate cells, electrodes, and cell components; the first contractor-produced cells were delivered to ANL. 29 figures, 15 tables.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., Ill. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 7269688
• Report Number(s): ANL-76-9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
BATTERY SEPARATORS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CORROSION
DESIGN
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODES
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
FABRICATION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HOT PRESSING
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
LITHIUM ALLOYS
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
MATERIALS
MATERIALS WORKING
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
MINERALS
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
ORES
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
PRESSING
PYRITE
PYRITES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
STORAGE
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR ORES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
VEHICLES