| 摘要 |
1465902 Molten electrode cell INDUSTRY SECRETARY OF STATE FOR 17 May 1974 [22 May 1973] 24391/73 Heading H1B Each cell of a nested pair of cells 15, Figs. 2, 3, comprises an aluminium casing 16 receiving a tubular beta-alumina membrane 17 closed at its open end by a metal terminal cap 22. The membrane 17 defines an inner compartment 18 receiving molten sodium and an outer annular compartment 19 receiving molten sulphur impregnated in carbon felt 21. The chambers 20 form by the upper longitudinal extremities of the casing 16 provide space for expansion of the contents of the compartment 19 due to the products of cathodic reaction. To ensure that the surface of the membrane 17 is always wetted by the sodium irrespective of its level a tubular member 24 of wire mesh is held against the inner surface of the membrane by a perforated support 25, the member 24 acting as a wick to draw up the sodium by capillary action. The cells are series-connected by a strap 23. In other forms of the invention (Figs. 4 and 5, not shown) non-nesting battery cells have the axis of the membrane 17 offset from the axis of the casing, the upper larger annular spaces providing room for expansion of the reaction products. In a further modification (Fig. 6, not shown) the relative positions of the sodium and sulphur are reversed and the wick effect is produced by a narrow annular gap between the membrane and the casing to which sodium is fed by gravity. The same principle is used in the modification of Figs. 10, 10a (not shown) in which a number of membranes of rectangular shape are placed, with narrow gaps therebetween, in a closely fitting casing which provides a storage space for sodium at one end thereof. |
