US4189827A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treatment of electrochemical cell components with lithium tetrachloroaluminate (LiAlCl4) to promote electrolyte wetting
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1978-11-03
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Granted: 1980-02-26
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Expires: 1998-11-03
Abstract
Abstract Electrochemical cell components such as interelectrode separators, retaining screens and current collectors are contacted with lithium tetrachloroaluminate prior to contact with molten electrolytic salt to improve electrolyte wetting. The LiAlCl 4 can be applied in powdered, molten or solution form but, since this material has a lower melting point than the electrolytic salt used in high-temperature cells, the powdered LiAlCl 4 forms a molten flux prior to contact by the molten electrolyte when both materials are initially provided in solid form. Components of materials such as boron nitride and other materials which are difficult to wet with molten salts are advantageously treated by this process.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Eberhart
- 👤 James E. Battles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/30; H01M6/36; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of improving the wettability of electrochemical cell components with molten electrolyte consisting essentially of alkali metal halides in a mixture having a melting point in excess of the melting point of LiAlCl 4 , comprising: contacting said component with LiAlCl 4 ; and subsequently contacting said component with said molten electrolyte.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of improving the wettability of electrochemical cell components with molten electrolyte consisting essentially of alkali metal halides in a mixture having a melting point in excess of the melting point of LiAlCl 4 , comprising: contacting said component with LiAlCl 4 ; and subsequently contacting said component with said molten electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 wherein powdered LiAlCl 4 is applied onto a surface of said component, said component with powdered LiAlCl 4 is assembled into an electrochemical cell containing solid alkali metal halides and heat is applied to first melt said LiAlCl 4 and subsequently melt said alkali metal halides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrolyte is a mixture of alkali metal chlorides and has a melting point between 250° and 600° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said molten electrolyte comprises a mixture of alkali metal halides selected from the group consisting of LiCl-KCl, LiCl-LiBr, LiF-LiI, LiCl-LiI, NaCl-NaI, LiF-LiCl-LiBr, LiF-LiCl-LiI, and LiF-LiCl-KCl.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said component is an interelectrode separator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said component is composed of a metallic or ceramic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said metallic or ceramic material is selected from the group consisting of boron nitride, yttria, aluminum nitride, silicon nitride, carbon, magnesium oxide, molybdenum, molybdenum-base alloys, stainless steel, iron, iron-base alloys, nickel and nickel-base alloys.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said component is an interelectrode separator comprising boron nitride.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of improving the wettability of electrochemical cell components with molten electrolyte comprising: applying LiAlCl 4 powder onto a surface of said component; and subsequently melting said LiAlCl 4 to spread as a flux over said component surface prior to contacting said surface with molten electrolyte.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of improving the wettability of electrochemical cell components with molten electrolyte comprising: applying LiAlCl 4 powder onto a surface of said component; and subsequently melting said LiAlCl 4 to spread as a flux over said component surface prior to contacting said surface with molten electrolyte.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3404041A
Cited
US3751298A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-25 | 1983-08-27 | 1984-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-25 | 1987-08-27 | 1988-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-25 | 1991-08-27 | 1992-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |