ELECTROCHEMICAL POWER UNIT USING ELECTROLYTIC OXIDIZER, AND METHOD OF OPERATION

摘要

1420268 Electrochemical cells MOSKOVSKY ORDENA LENINA ENERGETICHESKY INSTITUT 29 March 1973 [11 May 1972 5 July 1972 6 July 1972 7 July 1972 10 July 1972] 15072/73 Heading H1B An electric primary or secondary cell comprises a hermetically sealed container 1 containing an alkali metal anode 2, an anhydrous cathodic reactant electrolyte 3 which is an oxidizing agent and a separating layer 9 formed by the controlled interaction between the anode material and the electrolyte. The anode may be lithium, sodium, or potassium or alloys thereof, optionally including magnesium or zinc. The electrolyte may be anhydrous sulphuric acid, liquid sulphur oxides, sulphuric anhydride dissolved in sulphuric acid, pyrosulphonyl compounds, sulphonic acids, or molten oxidizing salts, e.g. lithium and potassium nitrates. The electrolyte may contain in addition nitric acid. Cathode 4, inert to the electrolyte, may be molybdenum, molybdenum-tungsten, non-magnetic stainless steel, platinum, graphite amalgamated copper, silver or gold, and may be coated with gallium. The cell is manufactured, in a vacuum chamber, by introducing a tablet of alkali metal into a glass vessel provided with anode lead 6, heating to soften the tablet and pressing it to conform to the shape of the bottom of the vessel, cooling the vessel and metal to 20‹ to 40‹ C. The vessel is closed by a cover formed with cathode 4 and its lead 7, then the electrolyte is injected through port 10 while the vessel is thoroughly cooled, and port 10 is eventually sealed. The cell may be provided with means for heating the electrolyte and cooling the anode in use (Figs. 3, 6-not shown).