SODIUM-SULPHUR ACCUMULATORS AND BATTERIES

摘要

1369698 Sodium-sulphur batteries COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'ELECTRICITE 20 Dec 1971 [21 Dec 1970] 59185/71 Heading H1B An Na-S battery comprises a cylindrical container 2, e.g. of stainless steel, receiving a number of tubes 3 closed at their lower ends, the lower tube portions 4 comprising solid electrolyte, e.g. beta alumina-sodium and the upper portions 5 comprising alpha alumina. The tubes 3 are filled with sodium and are connected at their upper ends through holes 16 to a distribution chamber 10 of metal filled from a sodium reservoir 9 through a pipe 11 containing a flow control means 12. The container 2 is filled up to the level of the top of the tube portions 4 with graphite felt (not shown) impregnated with sulphur, the felt being in the form of horizontal plates perforated to receive the tubes. At spaced intervals in the stack of felt plates are metal current collector plates 8 having roughened surfaces 81 and tabs 81 bearing resiliently against the container 2 to make electric contact therewith. The positive terminal 7 is connected to the container 2 and the negative terminal 19 connected to the chamber 10. To remove heat generated by the battery when in operation a metal air cooling chamber 21 is provided between the reservoir 9 and distribution chamber 10, the walls of the cooling chamber having fins 211 and the chamber having air inlet and outlet ducts 20, 22. A number of batteries, e.g. twelve, may be arranged together, Fig. 5, in a heat insulating tank 31 of expanded polystyrene lined with rock wool insulation 32, the ducts 20, 22 of the individual batteries being connected to channels 34 through which air is driven by a fan 33. The air exhausts through a duct 35. Valves 36, 37 are controlled by a temperature detector situated at the upper ends of the tubes 3 to maintain the battery pack at the required temperature. For starting up the batteries, hot air may be passed therethrough.