High-performance batteries for off-peak energy storage and electric-vehicle propulsion. Progress report, January--March 1976. [Li--Al/LiCl--KCl/FeS or FeS/sub 2/; some work on CaAl/sub 2/, Ca/sub 2/Si, and Mg anodes and FeS, Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ and FeS/sub 2/ cathodes; ANL]

Technical Report · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7357346· OSTI ID:7357346

Nelson, P. A.; Ivins, R. O.; Yao, N. P.; Battles, J. E.; Chilenskas, A. A.; Gay, E. C.; Steunenberg, R. K.; Walsh, W. J.

The research and management efforts of Argonne National Laboratory's program on lithium/metal sulfide batteries during the period January--March 1976 are described. These batteries are being developed for energy storage on utility networks and for electric-vehicle propulsion. The present cells are vertically oriented, prismatic cells with a central positive electrode of FeS or FeS/sub 2/ and two facing negative electrodes of lithium--aluminum alloy, and an electrolyte of molten LiCl--KCl. The cell operating temperature is 400 to 450/sup 0/C. The type of cell receiving major attention is one in which the electrodes are assembled in the uncharged state. The active material in the positive electrode is a mixture of Li/sub 2/S and iron; the electrode is formed by hot-pressing this material with electrolyte, by loading it into a porous structure of metal, or by incorporating it into a carbon-bonded structure. The negative electrode is a porous aluminum structure, with which the lithium reacts on first charge to form a lithium--aluminum alloy. Several methods of adding excess lithium capacity to the cell are being investigated. Efforts are being made to develop feedthroughs and electrode separators that meet performance and cost goals. Work is also being carried out on an improved design of a battery for energy storage on utility networks and on design and fabrication of other battery components. Li/sub 2/S is being characterized in terms of purity and physical characteritics to determine its suitability for use in fabricating uncharged cells. Work is continuing on the development of alternative secondary cell systems with calcium- or magnesium- based negative electrodes and molten-salt electrolytes. 20 figures, 13 tables.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., Ill. (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 7357346
• Report Number(s): ANL-76-35
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ANL
BATTERY SEPARATORS
CALCIUM ALLOYS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CONDUCTOR DEVICES
CONNECTORS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HOT PRESSING
IRON
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON OXIDES
IRON SULFIDES
LITHIUM ALLOYS
LITHIUM CHLORIDES
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
LITHIUM HALIDES
LITHIUM SULFIDES
LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
MAGNESIUM
MATERIALS WORKING
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
METALS
MINERALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OFF-PEAK ENERGY STORAGE
ORES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM CHLORIDES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
PRESSING
PYRITE
PYRITES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SILICON ALLOYS
STORAGE
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR ORES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
US AEC
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VEHICLES