Stacked vapor fed amtec modules

Patent · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:866855

Sievers, Robert K ^[1]

---

1. North Huntingdon, PA

The present invention pertains to a stacked AMTEC module. The invention includes a tubular member which has an interior. The member is comprised of a ion conductor that substantially conducts ions relative to electrons, preferably a beta"-alumina solid electrolyte, positioned about the interior. A porous electrode for conducting electrons and allowing sodium ions to pass therethrough, and wherein electrons and sodium ions recombine to form sodium is positioned about the beta"-alumina solid electrolyte. The electrode is operated at a temperature and a pressure that allows the recombined sodium to vaporize. Additionally, an outer current collector grid for distributing electrons throughout the porous electrode is positioned about and contacts the porous electrode. Also included in the invention is transporting means for transporting liquid sodium to the beta"-alumina solid electrolyte of the tubular member. A transition piece is positioned about the interior of the member and contacts the transporting means. The transition piece divides the member into a first cell and a second cell such that each first and second cell has a beta"-alumina solid electrolyte, a first and second porous electrode and a grid. The transition piece conducts electrons from the interior of the tubular member. There is supply means for supplying sodium to the transporting means. Preferably the supply means is a shell which surrounds the tubular member and is operated at a temperature such that the vaporized sodium condenses thereon. Returning means for returning the condensed sodium from the shell to the transporting means provides a continuous supply of liquid sodium to the transporting means. Also, there are first conducting means for conducting electric current from the transition piece which extends through the shell, and second conducting means for conducting electric current to the grid of the first cell which extends through the shell.

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-86SF16503
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4808240
• OSTI ID: 866855
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

-alumina
/136/976/
additionally
allowing
allows
amtec
amtec module
beta
cell
collector
collector grid
comprised
condensed
condenses
conducting
conducting electric
conducting electrons
conducting means
conductor
conducts
contacts
continuous
continuous supply
current
current collector
distributing
divides
electric
electric current
electrode
electrolyte
electrons
extends
fed
form
form sodium
grid
included
interior
liquid
liquid sodium
means
module
modules
operated
outer
pass
pass therethrough
pertains
piece
porous
porous electrode
positioned
preferably
pressure
provides
recombine
recombined
relative
returning
shell
sodium
solid
solid electrolyte
stacked
substantially
supply
supply means
supplying
surrounds
temperature
thereon
therethrough
throughout
transition
transporting
transporting liquid
tubular
vapor
vaporize
vaporized