EP0053889A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Rechargeable electrical storage battery
Assignee: Eltech Systems Corp
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Filing: 1981-11-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A rechargeable ambient temperature electrical storage cell utilizing an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and sulfur electrochemical reaction pair. The cell includes an anhydrous liquid anode separated from an anhydrous sulfur containing catholyte by a cationic permeable partition.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Bennett
- 👤 David E. Harney
- 👤 Thomas A. Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/05; H01M10/058; H01M10/36; H01M50/00; H01M50/10; H01M50/183; H01M50/40; H01M50/409; H01M50/411; H01M50/414; H01M50/417; H01M50/431; H01M50/46; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing, including an internal chamber; a selectively permeable partition separating the chamber into two compartments and establishing a liquid seal between them, the partition being of a type that selectively permits passage of a desired charged cell chemical species therethrough; a liquid anode contained within one of the internal compartments, the membrane being in virtually continuous contact with the liquid anode; a first electrical communication means for communicating electrical current between the anode and the outside of the housing; a cathode positioned within the other internal compartment; a fluid at least partially filling the cathode compartment for conducting the charged chemical species between the partition and the cathode; and means for equalizing pressure between the internal compartments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing, including an internal chamber; a selectively permeable partition separating the chamber into two compartments and establishing a liquid seal between them, the partition being of a type that selectively permits passage of a desired charged cell chemical species therethrough; a liquid anode contained within one of the internal compartments, the membrane being in virtually continuous contact with the liquid anode; a first electrical communication means for communicating electrical current between the anode and the outside of the housing; a cathode positioned within the other internal compartment; a fluid at least partially filling the cathode compartment for conducting the charged chemical species between the partition and the cathode; and means for equalizing pressure between the internal compartments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
175 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing including an internal chamber; a partition retained to the housing and dividing the chamber into two internal compartments, the partition being generally highly resistant to passage of chemical species therethough but being highly receptive to the passage of a desired cationic chemical species therethrough; a liquid seal, the seal retained in contact with and establishing a liquid seal between the partition and the housing; a liquid anode comprising one of sodium and lithium alkali metal dissolved in anhydrous ammonia, the liquid anode being contained within one of the compartments and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing, the alkali metal being the cationic chemical species readily passed through the partition; a cathode contained within the other compartment and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing; a catholyte contained within the cathode compartment and comprising one of sulfur and alkali metal polysulfides corresponding to the alkali metal of the liquid anode, dissolved in anhydrous ammonia; and a pressure equalization means communicating between the compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing including an internal chamber; a partition retained to the housing and dividing the chamber into two internal compartments, the partition being generally highly resistant to passage of chemical species therethough but being highly receptive to the passage of a desired cationic chemical species therethrough; a liquid seal, the seal retained in contact with and establishing a liquid seal between the partition and the housing; a liquid anode comprising one of sodium and lithium alkali metal dissolved in anhydrous ammonia, the liquid anode being contained within one of the compartments and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing, the alkali metal being the cationic chemical species readily passed through the partition; a cathode contained within the other compartment and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing; a catholyte contained within the cathode compartment and comprising one of sulfur and alkali metal polysulfides corresponding to the alkali metal of the liquid anode, dissolved in anhydrous ammonia; and a pressure equalization means communicating between the compartments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The electric storage cell of Claim 2 wherein the liquid anode comprises sodium dissolved in anhydrous ammonia in a range of concentration of from 60 percent of saturation to saturation, and the catholyte comprises sodium polysulfides in a range of composition of from Na 2 S 4 to Na 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a range of concentration of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The electric storage cell of Claim -2 wherein the liquid anode comprises lithium dissolved in anhydrous ammonia in a range of concentration of from 12 mole percent to 20 mole percent, and the catholyte comprises lithium polysulfides in a range of compositions of from Li 2 S4 to Li2S1$ dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a range of concentration of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electric storage cell of Claim 2 wherein the partition is a cationic exchange membrane based upon one of polyethylene and polypropylene and having functional groups selected from a group consisting of sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electric storage cell of Claim 2 wherein the partition includes as its principal constituent one of glass frit, sintered glass, microporous polypropylene, glass filled microporous polypropylene, and alumina oxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
155 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing including an internal chamber; a cationic exchange membrane based upon one of polypropylene and polyethylene and having functional groups selected from a group consisting of sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, separating the internal chamber into anode and cathode compartments; a liquid seal, the seal cooperating with the membrane and the housing to seal liquid communication between the compartments; a liquid anode comprising sodium dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 60 percent of saturation to saturation; a cathode contained within the cathode compartment and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing; a catholyte comprising sodium polysulfides within a range of composition of from Na 2 S 4 to Na 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a range of concentrations of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia; and means for equalizing pressures between the compartments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
155 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing including an internal chamber; a cationic exchange membrane based upon one of polypropylene and polyethylene and having functional groups selected from a group consisting of sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid and mixtures thereof, separating the internal chamber into anode and cathode compartments; a liquid seal, the seal cooperating with the membrane and the housing to seal liquid communication between the compartments; a liquid anode comprising sodium dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 60 percent of saturation to saturation; a cathode contained within the cathode compartment and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing; a catholyte comprising sodium polysulfides within a range of composition of from Na 2 S 4 to Na 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a range of concentrations of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia; and means for equalizing pressures between the compartments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing including an internal chamber; a cationic exchange membrane based upon one of polypropylene and polyethylene and having functional groups selected from a group consisting of carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof, separating the internal chamber into anode and cathode compartments; a liquid seal, the seal cooperating with the membrane and the housing to seal liquid communication between the compartments; a liquid anode comprising lithium dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 12 mole percent to 20 mole percent; a cathode contained within the cathode compartment and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing; a catholyte comprising lithium polysulfides within a range of composition of from Li 2 S 4 to Li 2 s 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a range of concentration of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia; and means for equalizing pressures between the compartments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing including an internal chamber; a cationic exchange membrane based upon one of polypropylene and polyethylene and having functional groups selected from a group consisting of carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof, separating the internal chamber into anode and cathode compartments; a liquid seal, the seal cooperating with the membrane and the housing to seal liquid communication between the compartments; a liquid anode comprising lithium dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 12 mole percent to 20 mole percent; a cathode contained within the cathode compartment and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing; a catholyte comprising lithium polysulfides within a range of composition of from Li 2 S 4 to Li 2 s 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a range of concentration of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia; and means for equalizing pressures between the compartments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
154 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing including an internal chamber; a partition having as its principal constituent aluminum oxide, the partition dividing the chamber into two internal compartments; a seal, the seal cooperating with the partition and the housing to provide a liquid seal between the compartments; a liquid anode comprising an alkali metal dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 50 percent of saturation to saturation; a cathode contained within the other compartment and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing; a catholyte comprising metal polysulfides of the form M 2 S x and corresponding to the metal of the liquid anode within a range of composition of from M 2 S 4 to M 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a range of concentration of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia; and means for equalizing pressures between the compartments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
154 words
A rechargeable electric storage cell comprising: a housing including an internal chamber; a partition having as its principal constituent aluminum oxide, the partition dividing the chamber into two internal compartments; a seal, the seal cooperating with the partition and the housing to provide a liquid seal between the compartments; a liquid anode comprising an alkali metal dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 50 percent of saturation to saturation; a cathode contained within the other compartment and in electrical communication with the outside of the housing; a catholyte comprising metal polysulfides of the form M 2 S x and corresponding to the metal of the liquid anode within a range of composition of from M 2 S 4 to M 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia within a range of concentration of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia; and means for equalizing pressures between the compartments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
A cathode assembly for use in a rechargeable electric storage cell utilizing an electrochemical reaction between sulfur and one of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal having two internal compartments separated by a cation permeable partition and a liquid anode contained within one of the compartments, including: an electrode positioned within the other internal compartment and in electrical communication with a point outside the storage cell, and a nonaqueous catholyte comprising a solute dissolved in anhydrous ammonia for electrochemically reacting with a cationically charged liquid anode chemical species.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
A cathode assembly for use in a rechargeable electric storage cell utilizing an electrochemical reaction between sulfur and one of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal having two internal compartments separated by a cation permeable partition and a liquid anode contained within one of the compartments, including: an electrode positioned within the other internal compartment and in electrical communication with a point outside the storage cell, and a nonaqueous catholyte comprising a solute dissolved in anhydrous ammonia for electrochemically reacting with a cationically charged liquid anode chemical species.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
The cathode assembly of Claim 14 wherein the catholyte solute is one of sulfur, a sodium polysulfide within a composition range of from Na 2 S 4 to Na 2 S 18 dissolved in the ammonia to produce a catholyte having dissolved polysulfides within a range of from 2 moles/liter to saturation of the ammonia with the sodium polysulfides, and a lithium polysulfide within a composition range of from Li 2s 4to Li 2 S 18 dissolved in the ammonia to produce a catholyte having dissolved polysulfides within a range of from 2 moles/liter to saturation of the ammonia with the lithium polysulfides.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
218 words
A method for preparing a rechargeable, nonaqueous, electrochemical battery cell comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an internal chamber; providing first and second electrical conductance means for conducting electrical current from the chamber through the housing; providing a cathode structure; positioning the cathode within the chamber and in electrical communication with the second electrical conductance means; providing a selectively permeable partition through which passage of a desired charged cationic chemical species readily occurs, the membrane resisting passage of undesired chemical species therethrough; positioning the partition within the housing to divide the chamber into two compartments, the cathode structure and the second electrical conductance means being in one compartment and the first electrical conductance means being in the other compartment; sealing the partition to the housing thereby restricting free liquid movement between the compartments; providing a pressure equalizing means between the compartments; filling the compartment that includes the first electrical conductance means with a liquid prepared by contacting a predetermined quantity of one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal with anhydrous ammonia under essentially anhydrous conditions, the partition being capable of freely passing cations of the metal contacted with the ammonia; and filling the compartment that includes the cathode and the second electrical conductance means with a solution of anhydrous ammonia and a solute.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
218 words
A method for preparing a rechargeable, nonaqueous, electrochemical battery cell comprising the steps of: providing a housing having an internal chamber; providing first and second electrical conductance means for conducting electrical current from the chamber through the housing; providing a cathode structure; positioning the cathode within the chamber and in electrical communication with the second electrical conductance means; providing a selectively permeable partition through which passage of a desired charged cationic chemical species readily occurs, the membrane resisting passage of undesired chemical species therethrough; positioning the partition within the housing to divide the chamber into two compartments, the cathode structure and the second electrical conductance means being in one compartment and the first electrical conductance means being in the other compartment; sealing the partition to the housing thereby restricting free liquid movement between the compartments; providing a pressure equalizing means between the compartments; filling the compartment that includes the first electrical conductance means with a liquid prepared by contacting a predetermined quantity of one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal with anhydrous ammonia under essentially anhydrous conditions, the partition being capable of freely passing cations of the metal contacted with the ammonia; and filling the compartment that includes the cathode and the second electrical conductance means with a solution of anhydrous ammonia and a solute.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method of Claim 12 wherein the solute is a mixture of metal polysulfides of the form M 2 S x within a composition range of from M 2s4 to M 2 S 18 dissolved in the ammonia within a range of concentration of from 2 moles metal polysulfide per liter of ammonia to a saturated solution of the metal polysulfides in ammonia; and the metal dissolved in anhydrous ammonia corresponds to the metal of the polysulfide, the metal concentration in the liquid anode being within a concentration range of from approximately 50 percent of saturation to saturation of the ammonia.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for preparing a rechargeable, nonaqueous, electrochemical battery cell comprising the steps of: providing a battery cell housing having an internal chamber; providing a cationic exchange membrane based upon one of polypropylene and polyethylene and having functional groups selected from a group consisting of sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof; sealing the membrane to the housing thereby both dividing the chamber into two compartments and restricting free liquid communication between the compartments; providing a cathode structure; positioning the cathode structure within one of the compartments; establishing an electrical conductance pathway between the cathode and the exterior of the housing; charging the cathode chamber with a catholyte prepared from alkali metal polysulfides of the form M 2 S x within a range of composition of from M 2 S 4 to M 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia to achieve a solution of alkali metal polysulfide in ammonia within concentration range of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia with the alkali metal polysulfide; establishing an electrical conductance pathway between the other compartment and the exterior of the housing; charging said other compartment with a liquid anode preparet by contacting an alkali metal corresponding to the alkali metal of the polysulfide in anhydrous ammonia to achieve a concentration of the alkali metal in ammonia within a range of from approximately 50 percent of saturation to saturation; and providing a means for compensating for differences in pressures between the compartments.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for preparing a rechargeable, nonaqueous, electrochemical battery cell comprising the steps of: providing a battery cell housing having an internal chamber; providing a cationic exchange membrane based upon one of polypropylene and polyethylene and having functional groups selected from a group consisting of sulfonic acid, carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof; sealing the membrane to the housing thereby both dividing the chamber into two compartments and restricting free liquid communication between the compartments; providing a cathode structure; positioning the cathode structure within one of the compartments; establishing an electrical conductance pathway between the cathode and the exterior of the housing; charging the cathode chamber with a catholyte prepared from alkali metal polysulfides of the form M 2 S x within a range of composition of from M 2 S 4 to M 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia to achieve a solution of alkali metal polysulfide in ammonia within concentration range of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia with the alkali metal polysulfide; establishing an electrical conductance pathway between the other compartment and the exterior of the housing; charging said other compartment with a liquid anode preparet by contacting an alkali metal corresponding to the alkali metal of the polysulfide in anhydrous ammonia to achieve a concentration of the alkali metal in ammonia within a range of from approximately 50 percent of saturation to saturation; and providing a means for compensating for differences in pressures between the compartments.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of Claim 14 wherein the alkali metal is sodium dissolved in the anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 60 percent of saturation to saturation of the ammonia.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of Claim 14 wherein the alkali metal is lithium dissolved in the anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 12 mole percent to 20 mole percent.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
218 words
A method for preparing a rechargeable, nonaqueous, electrochemical battery cell comprising the steps of: providing a battery cell housing having an internal chamber; providing a microporous partition; sealing the partition to the housing thereby both dividing the chamber into two compartments and restricting free liquid communication between the compartments; providing a cathode structure; positioning the cathode structure within one of the compartments; establishing an electrical conductance pathway between the cathode and the exterior of the housing; charging the cathode chamber with a catholyte prepared from alkali metal polysulfides of the form M 2s x within the range of composition of from M 2 S 4 to M 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia to achieve a solution of alkali metal polysulfide in ammonia within concentration range of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia with the alkali metal polysulfide; establishing an electrical conductance pathway between the other compartment and the exterior of the housing; charging said other compartment with a liquid anode prepared by contacting an alkali metal corresponding to the alkali metal of the polysulfide in anhydrous ammonia to achieve a concentration of the alkali metal in ammonia within a range of from approximately 50 percent of saturation to saturation; and providing a means for compensating for differences in pressure between the compartments.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
218 words
A method for preparing a rechargeable, nonaqueous, electrochemical battery cell comprising the steps of: providing a battery cell housing having an internal chamber; providing a microporous partition; sealing the partition to the housing thereby both dividing the chamber into two compartments and restricting free liquid communication between the compartments; providing a cathode structure; positioning the cathode structure within one of the compartments; establishing an electrical conductance pathway between the cathode and the exterior of the housing; charging the cathode chamber with a catholyte prepared from alkali metal polysulfides of the form M 2s x within the range of composition of from M 2 S 4 to M 2 S 18 dissolved in anhydrous ammonia to achieve a solution of alkali metal polysulfide in ammonia within concentration range of from 2 moles per liter to saturation of the ammonia with the alkali metal polysulfide; establishing an electrical conductance pathway between the other compartment and the exterior of the housing; charging said other compartment with a liquid anode prepared by contacting an alkali metal corresponding to the alkali metal of the polysulfide in anhydrous ammonia to achieve a concentration of the alkali metal in ammonia within a range of from approximately 50 percent of saturation to saturation; and providing a means for compensating for differences in pressure between the compartments.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of Claim 17 wherein the alkali metal is sodium dissolved in the anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 60 percent of saturation to saturation of the ammonia.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of Claim 17 wherein the alkali metal is lithium dissolved in the anhydrous ammonia within a concentration range of from 12 mole percent to 20 mole percent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
159 words
A partition assembly for separating a chamber of an electric storage cell utilizing an electrochemical reaction between sulfur and one of an alkali and alkaline earth metal into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, and for transferring desired cationic chemical species between the anode and cathode compartments when the cell is in use comprising: a cationic exchange membrane, the membrane based upon one of polyethylene and polypropylene and having functional groups selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof; a support, the support retaining the membrane in a position to separate the chamber into the anode and the cathode compartments; and a seal cooperating with the membrane and the support to establish a liquid seal between the compartments, the membrane selectively effecting a transfer of a desired cationic chemical species from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment during discharging of the electric storage cell, and return during charging of the electrical cell.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
159 words
A partition assembly for separating a chamber of an electric storage cell utilizing an electrochemical reaction between sulfur and one of an alkali and alkaline earth metal into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, and for transferring desired cationic chemical species between the anode and cathode compartments when the cell is in use comprising: a cationic exchange membrane, the membrane based upon one of polyethylene and polypropylene and having functional groups selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid, sulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof; a support, the support retaining the membrane in a position to separate the chamber into the anode and the cathode compartments; and a seal cooperating with the membrane and the support to establish a liquid seal between the compartments, the membrane selectively effecting a transfer of a desired cationic chemical species from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment during discharging of the electric storage cell, and return during charging of the electrical cell.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
129 words
A partition assembly for separating a chamber of an electric storage cell utilizing an electrochemical reaction between sulfur and one of an alkali and alkaline earth metal into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, and for transferring desired cationic chemical species between the anode and cathode compartment when the cell is in use comprising: a microporous partition; a support, the support retaining the partition in a position to separate the chamber into the anode and the cathode compartments; and a seal cooperating with the partition and the support to establish a liquid seal between the compartments, a desired cationic chemical species readily traversing the partitions from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment during discharging of the electric storage cell, and return during charging of the electrical cell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
129 words
A partition assembly for separating a chamber of an electric storage cell utilizing an electrochemical reaction between sulfur and one of an alkali and alkaline earth metal into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, and for transferring desired cationic chemical species between the anode and cathode compartment when the cell is in use comprising: a microporous partition; a support, the support retaining the partition in a position to separate the chamber into the anode and the cathode compartments; and a seal cooperating with the partition and the support to establish a liquid seal between the compartments, a desired cationic chemical species readily traversing the partitions from the anode compartment to the cathode compartment during discharging of the electric storage cell, and return during charging of the electrical cell.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
154 words
A partition assembly for separating a chamber of an electric storage cell that utilizes an electrochemical reaction between sulfur and one of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, and for transferring desired cationic chemical species between the anode and cathode compartment when the cell is in use comprising: a partition, the partition being of the type selectively enhancing a ready transfer therethrough of a desired charged chemical species contained within the compartments while effectively resisting transfer therethrough of other chemical species contained within the compartments; a support, the support retaining the partitions in a position to separate the chamber into the anode and cathode compartments; and a seal cooperating with the partition and the support to establish a liquid seal between the compartments, effectively restricting intermixing of liquid components between the compartments except as such components are capable of passage through the selective partition.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
154 words
A partition assembly for separating a chamber of an electric storage cell that utilizes an electrochemical reaction between sulfur and one of an alkali metal and an alkaline earth metal into an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, and for transferring desired cationic chemical species between the anode and cathode compartment when the cell is in use comprising: a partition, the partition being of the type selectively enhancing a ready transfer therethrough of a desired charged chemical species contained within the compartments while effectively resisting transfer therethrough of other chemical species contained within the compartments; a support, the support retaining the partitions in a position to separate the chamber into the anode and cathode compartments; and a seal cooperating with the partition and the support to establish a liquid seal between the compartments, effectively restricting intermixing of liquid components between the compartments except as such components are capable of passage through the selective partition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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