| 摘要 |
ALKALI METAL/SULFUR CELL WITH GAS FUEL CELL ELECTRODE An improved alkali metal/sulfur cell is disclosed of the type including: (A) at least one anodic reaction zone containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit; (B) at least one cathodic reaction zone including an electrode of porous conductive material and in which, during discharge of the cell, cations of the alkali metal combine with polysulfide or sulfur-saturated polysulfide ions to form reduced alkali metal polysulfide salts which at least partially fill said porous conductive material; and (C) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones, said porous conductive material being in electrical contact with both said cation-permeable barrier and said external circuit. The improvement comprises adapting the cathodic reaction zone to operate as a gas fuel cell electrode by employing a sulfur storage chamber containing molten sulfur connected with said cathodic reaction zone so as to allow sulfur vapors to pass therebetween, the storage chamber being adapted to be maintained at a temperature (i) above the temperature of said cathodic reaction zone when said cell is being discharged such that sulfur distills into said cathodic reaction zone and (ii) below the temperature of said cathodic reaction zone when the cell is being charged such that sulfur vapor condenses in said storage chamber. The application also relates to a process for reducing alkali metal polysulfide salts to form elemental alkali metal using said cell. |
