Advanced Battery Systems Research Articles

Performance goals in RFC development for low earth orbit space missions

By comparing alkaline regenerative fuel cells (RFCs) with advanced battery systems, the RFCs show better performance in regard to the overall system mass for a widest range of space applications; however this does not embrace thee low earth orbit (LEO) missions, which are most practical. For LEO applications of RFCs, their storage efficiency must be increased significantly. In the present work, different RFC technologies and system designs are discussed in order to minimize the required effort in fundamental electrocatalytic research. The performance goals of the electrochemical properties of RFCs applied in low earth orbits are defined.

A Novel Class of Organosulfur Electrodes for Energy Storage

A broad class of organosulfur compounds is discussed which may offer unique advantages as positive storage electrodes in advanced battery systems. The organosulfur electrodes operate between ambient and 150°C, are inexpensive, and inert to many metals. In addition, the physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the organosulfur electrodes may be varied in a predictable way. At room temperature these materials may be crystalline, liquid, or polymeric. Batteries based on the novel organosulfur positive electrodes and sodium metal negative electrodes have theoretical energy densities ranging from 350 to 600 Wh/kg. The system which has to date been studied in most detail is the sodium/tetraethylthiuram disulfide (TETD) couple which has a theoretical energy density of 360 Wh/kg and an open‐circuit voltage of 2.3 V. Laboratory cells have been assembled and tested with maximum practical energy densities of over 110 Wh/kg at zero current drain and volumetric energy densities of 0.196 Wh/cm3. These cells have been cycled between 10 and 90% of available capacity at power densities of 6 Wh/kg at an energy density of 80 Wh/kg and overall energy efficiency of 75%. Some experimental batteries delivered peak power densities of 40–60 W/kg for a period of a minute or more. Further, preliminary testing of batteries using simple alkyl disulfide electrodes have resulted in full charge/discharge cycles at current densities of 10 mA/cm2 at 105°C.

Transient response of 10-kw class advanced batteries to abrupt load changes

A measuring system has been devised to evaluate the immediate availability and response properties of both lead/acid and advanced batteries (Na/S, Zn/Cl 2, Zn/Br 2, redox-flow) to abrupt load changes in an electrical energy storage system. It has been found that the response time of the charge/discharge equipment is proportional to the resistance of the load: the rise time of the output current is between 10 and 150 ms for a resistance between 10 and 200 mΩ. The rise and fall times of the current of the advanced battery systems are within 20 and 2 ms, respectively. It has been confirmed that the response properties of large-scale advanced batteries are sufficiently rapid to allow the use of these systems in electrical energy storage applications.

Polyphase alloys as rechargeable electrodes in advanced battery systems

The rechargeability of electrochemical cells is often limited by negative electrode problems. These may include loss of capacity, increased impedance ( In principle, these problems can be reduced or eliminated by the use of alloys that undergo either displacement or insertion reactions at reactant spec The fundamental reasons for some of these problems with elemental electrodes, as well as the basic principles involved in the different behavior of all A considerable amount of information is now available concerning the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of a number of alloys of potential interest f In addition, recent results have extended these results down to ambient temperatures, indicating that some such materials may be of interest for use wi The all-solid, mixed-conductor matrix concept will also be reviewed briefly. In this approach, the thermodynamic behaviors of two different binary allo

A Lithium Oxygen Secondary Battery

not Available.

The choice of low-temperature hydrogen fuel cells: acidic—or alkaline?

A comparison of the major types of hydrogen-oxygen (air) fuel cells is given. The criteria for the selection is the fuel availability, system performance, optimal cost and life expectancy in most suitable application areas. Special recommendations are given for designs of bipolar alkaline batteries for intermittent use in electric vehicles on the road, combining high conversion efficiency with long stand-by periods. Such batteries with liquid alkaline elektrolytes will have to compete with matrix-type cells using improved acidic- or membrane-type cells. Hybrid systems will be discussed and their advantages from the economic point of view will be considered. In electric vehicles the combination with an advanced rechargeable battery system, like zinc-bromine, could be decisive for success. Unfortunately, there are not enough cost data available to compare the systems now.

Pelletized lithiummetal sulphide cells part I. A selective review

One of the most promising advanced battery systems presently under investigation is that based on lithium and sulphur. This review outlines research carried out (mostly over the last decade) in the development of a viable power source. The physical chemistry of the most important materials, notably the aluminium and silicon alloys of lithium and the mono and disulphides of iron, is discussed, but the engineering problems associated with high-temperature battery development are not.

Pelletized lithium-metal sulphide cells part I. A selective review

One of the most promising advanced battery systems presently under investigation is that based on lithium and sulphur. This review outlines research ca

The use of coatings in high temperature battery systems

Advanced battery systems present a complex set of performance criteria that severely test materials. Coatings can provide an economical means of widening the cost-effective choice of materials to gain improved battery performance and durability. The methodology of coating selection specific to advanced electrochemical energy storage systems is discussed. Experience of NaS battery development is used to illustrate a particular case in which coatings appear to be an element critical to technological advance.

Fast ion transport in oxide glasses

The discovery of fast ion transport in solids has in recent years stimulated much interest in the scientific community both with regard to obtaining improved understanding of the phenomenon and applying such materials in advanced battery systems. More recently the phenomenon of fast ion transport has also been observed to occur in increasing numbers of amorphous systems. In this paper we review recent transport data obtained in over 100 glasses which appear to exhibit exceptionally high Ag, Li, Na and F ion conductivities at temperatures far from the melting points. We also include results recently obtained in our laboratory for glasses in the lithium borate system. Common characteristics of these glasses are summarized and are compared with predictions of classical diffusion theory. Relatively low and composition-independent values of σ 0 indicate poor agreement with a simple isolated-ion diffusion model, while composition-dependent activation energies are related to structural changes. Some glasses share similar properties with their crystalline counterparts while others do not. This is discussed in terms of the relative disorder already existing within the crystals. The need for improved characterization of glasses is also discussed.

Urban birth not urban blight

I remember some ten years ago taking my children north across the Woolwich ferry, making for the highest tower block of flats we could see, and taking the lift to the top floor as this was the only way to get a good view into London's docks. Stretched out below were the oblongs of water, holding the ships etched in black and white with vivid bands of colour round their funnels, overhung with the tracery of cranes and derricks. Today there is no need for such complications: one can drive straight through Gate 19 into King George V docks, along the wide empty roads to the waterfront. I saw two ships moored on the north side, “Bunga Orchid”, carrying containers which were handled by the traditional cranes, and “El Flamingo”, carrying timber. Each was some 6,000 tons and each was importing — historically the trade was either import or export at one berth, not both, for congestion precluded the double operation. Today there is no congestion. The great sheds and lines of grey cranes are still there, and with them the small brick block offices of the shipping companies who have long gone. In one such block on the south side, a small firm, Advanced Battery Systems (Pb) Ltd, has taken up residence, having started originally in temporary accommodation at what was once the Medical Centre of the National Dock Labour Board. From the upper floor of the company's new home the skyline of tower blocks, chimneys, cranes and the occasional church spire is bright on a sharp December morning.

Design of the Battery Energy Storage Test Facility

The Battery Energy Storage Test (BEST) Facility is being constructed for the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) by Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) Company. The purpose of the facility, its general design philosophy, the proposed interactions of the facility with advanced batteries and AC/DC conversion equipment, and the layout of the facilty are described in this paper. The BEST Facility is one in a series of projects to encourage commercialization of battery energy storage systems. Through its particular design and implementation, advanced battery systems will be brought from the laboratory to application on a utility system. This step will provide significant information for both manufacturers and utilities on the characteristics of battery energy storage system.

Battery systems for electric vehicles — a state-of-the-art review

The future economy demands the development of more efficient power sources for urban vehicles. These sources could be electrochemical systems, i.e., batteries or fuel cells or battery-fuel cell hybrids. The purpose of this paper is to review the current world effort being directed towards developing advanced battery systems for electric vehicle power source applications. The relative merits of the various battery types under examination will be discussed in terms of their efficiency, performance, convenience, cost, and the availability of their component active materials. These factors are important in deciding whether a particular system will be suitable for use in electric vehicles.