Alkaline battery has an anode contg. 50 wt.% AgO, a cathode an alkaline electrolyte and a semipermeable barrier between the electrodes. The electrolyte on the positive side of the barrier contains Au ions in an amt. of 0.1-10 wt.% Ag in active material, and/or an Au cpd. is incorporated in the AgO active material after its formation, to provide a similar amt. of Hg, Au ions and/or cpd. may be substd. for part of the Au. The stability of divalent AgO in the electrolyte is such that &lt;65 mu l gas/g/hr is produced when measured at 165 degrees F in 18% NaOH electrolyte. In a prefd. cells for an electric watch, the cathode is Zn, the anode contains 90% AgO, electrolyte is NaOH and the separator is cellulose laminated between polyethylene grafted with PVC. Partic. for high capacity-low volume cells.
A hydrophilic microporous film (I) comprises a hydrophobic microporous polymer film rendered hydrophilic by coating with a silicon glycol copolymer. (I) has a reduced bulk density compared to the hydrophobic film and has a crystallinity of 30%, av. pore size of 100-12000 angstroms and surface area of 2-200, pref. 20-60 sq.m/g. (I) has a pore size sufficiently small to block the flow of ions but large enough to allow the flow of electrons and has a chemical resistance to strong acids and bases used as electrolytes in batteries. Pref. surfactant is a polyoxyethylene polymethylsiloxane and pref. a secondary surfactant, imidazoline tert. amine is incorporated into the coating.
A button type electrical cell, for use in time pieces, includes a can-like base open at one end and contg. cathode material covered by barrier plates, a top cap within which is contd anode material covered by separator plates, and an annular grommet for sealing the base to the cap. The grommet includes a base and an upstanding side wall having a slot, the region of the side wall outside the slot being larger than that inside. In use, the lower edge of the cap is covered in adhesive and pressed into the slot in the grommet. The grommet is placed into the base onto the barrier plates and the upper edge of the base swaged onto the grommet. Such an arrangement ensures a strong long-lasting seal.    The adhesive is pref. an epoxy resin.
Plate shaped cathode is produced by (a) drying a mixt. of active material, carbon powder and a hydrophilic water sol. resin, (b) treating the mixt. with an aq. tetrafluorethylene emulsion to form a paste, (c) grinding the paste at elevated temp. until a malleable plate is formed, and (d) drying the plate.
Plate shaped comprises a mixt. of the active material carbon and PTFE binder.
Device for recombination of gases generated in electric battery cells to reconstitute them into water is formed by floatable pellets including a catalyst core which may be a foamed polystyrol coated with the catalyst and a sintered or unsintered PTFE foil covering the core. Foil is porous but water impermeable.
Projecting end portion of cylindrical thermoplastics jacket is joined to a thermoplastics cup located within the jacket using a sonotrode having a working end with an annular recess therein and a part extending away from the outer wall of the recess in a direction perpendicular the axis defined by the recess. The outer wall of the recess has the same dia. as the jacket, and the bottom of the recess is the portion where the ultrasonic oscillations are converted to heat. In use the extended part of the working end engages the projecting part of the jacket to crimp it radially inward and weld to the cup without contacting the bottom of the recess with the cap. The appts. can be used to form a liquid tight container for a galvanic prim. cell.
Method comprises: mixing carbon powder with a tar pitch binder; shaping to a rod; coating the surface with a thermosetting and acid setting resin; immersing in an acidic liq. to harden the resin; and calcining the resulting body.
A fuel cell, utilising hydrazine as anode reducing agent, air as cathode oxidising agent and caustic potash as electrolyte, is prepd. by welding flexible metallic members to collector plates of electrodes; fixing the flexible metallic members between metallic plates; and moulding the flexible metallic members and metallic plates with a synthetic resin. As soldering of the terminal is avoided no leakage occurs.
Prod. comprises a solid electrolyte consisting of a mixt. of powdery silica, water-sol. sulphate and conc. H2SO4 and has improved discharge characteristics.
A Pb storage battery has a cathode coated with activator, with the expansion and contraction which occurs, unless the activator is impregnated into a support it will easily come off. A glass support can be made by (1) taking a water-soluble paste of a synthetic resin e.g. (meth)acrylic acid ester contg. the hydrophilic radicals -COONa, -COOK, or -COONH4 (2) bonding glass cloths together with the paste to form a glass mat, (3) changing the radicals to -COOH with an aq. acid soln.
A cathode mixt. is put into a casing which serves as a cathode terminal. A separator and an electrolyte support are then placed in the casing. After the electrolyte support is filled with an electrolyte comprising 40 wt.% of KOH soln. contg. both ZnO and mercury salicylate, a non-amalgamated Zn pellet, which is formed by moulding granulated zinc, is disposed on the electrolyte support. Simultaneously, the casing is covered with an Fe cover which serves as an anode terminal and whose inner and outer surfaces are plated with Sn and Ni resp. Pref. the upper end of the casing is clamped through a polyethylene packing and sealed, thus the inner surface of the casing cover serving as the anode terminal of the mercury battery will be amalgamated with the electrolyte which transudes through the electrolyte support owing to the pressure of the clamp, and the zinc pellet serving as an anode mixt.
A 0.1 mm thick vinylon sheet, made using PVA as binder, is triply wound and its ends are pasted together with carboxymethylcellulose to make a bag shaped separator. The permeability of the separator is improved by immersing it into an aq. soln. of 0.01-0.5% anionisystem surface active agent, e.g. lauryl alcohol cpd., octyl phenol cpd., etc. for 10-40 secs., and drying at 45-50 degrees C for 15 hrs.
The electrodes are made from woven or knitted organic, high polymer, synthetic or natural fibres, where each fibre is coated with metal followed by an electro-catalyst, and the electrodes possess a transfer coefft. K between -1 and +1, defined by K = log. (V.eta.N/S.H.T) where V = electrolyte vol. in mm flowing through the electrode; eta = electrolyte viscosity in centipoises; N = electrode thickness in cm; S = electrode area in cm2 through which the electrolyte passes; H = static press. of electrolyte in cm/water-column; T = time. A wide range of synthetic fabrics, cotton, wool and silk can be used, plated with e.g. Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, followed by a catalyst, e.g. Pt, Pd, Rh, Ag, Cu.
Battery contains 1 prim. cell with a metal electrode also forming the cell wall, the space between the cell wall and the cover contg. 1 materials, e.g. a starch derivative, capable of binding any released electrolyte by increasing the viscosity of this electrolyte.
An active battery electrode paste mixt. for a negative electrode has a solid component comprising (a) 70-100 pts. iron oxide and/or iron oxide hydrate particles, 5-85 mu av. particle size, (b) 5-30 pts. iron oxide and/or iron oxide hydrate particles up to 1 mu av. particle size, (c) 1-5 pts. reaction-promoting additive from S, Se, Te and cpds., (d) 0.02-1 pts. water-sol. dispersing agent and (e) 0.02-0.5 pts. water-sol. cellulosic thickener, and water to provide a solids: water wt. ratio of 5-2:1. The paste has a specific gravity of 2-3 g/cm3.
Cathode for high energy density cells, with a light metal anode and a non-aq. electrolyte, consists of a thin, conducting, unperforated, metal substrate e.g. Al, bonded to a practically homogeneous conducting film consisting of cathodically active particles e.g. carbon, and water sol. carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, soluble starch, polyvinyl alcohol, or protein-derived casein or gelatine, this polymer having a solubility in the electrolyte of &lt;0.1 wt.%. Has a high conductivity, long storage time, and economical useage.
The electrode catalyst is produced by adding an alkaline soln. and a metal, which react together to give H2, to a soln. contg. the salt of the catalytic metal and simultaneously pptg. and reducing the catalytic metal to form the desired electrode catalyst. In an example, Al and KOH gave H2 which reduced a dark brown aq. soln. contg. silver and mercuric (II) nitrates to give a black ppte. of a Ag-Hg alloy catalyst contg. ca 30 wt.% Hg. This alloy was mixed with porous PTFE to obtain a paste which was coated on a porous PTFE sheet. The electrode catalyst so obtd. has superior polarisation and high discharge props.
Battery comprises microcapsules contg. water or solvent for the electrolyte and an electrolytic cell made of a mixture comprising flexible materials and rigid materials. Specif., a mercury oxide system positive electrode, an electrolytic mix comprising caustic potash powder and polyurethane microcapsules contg. water, and zinc system negative electrode are compressed with binder under a pressure 50 Kg/cm into a body, placed in a paper case, and a mixture comprising rigid materials, such as Al silicate powder and styrene with benzene soln., and flexible materials, such as silicone rubber, is filled between the compressed body and the paper case to make an electrolytic cell. Lead wires are previously embedded in the positive and negative electrodes. Thus obtained battery is pressed to break the microcapsules to generate electromotive force directly before it is used.
The anode mix comprising mercury oxide, a small amt. of graphite, and binders, and the electrolytic mix comprising micro-capsules of dia of the order of tens of microns to several hundreds of microns contg. therein 60 to 70% by wt. of water, caustic potash powders, and zinc oxide powders, together with the cathode mix are moulded and the resultant moulded body placed in another mould filled with Al silicate powder and styrene in benzene soln., and compressed under 800 kg/cm2 to form a electrolytic cell around the moulded body. When the microcapsules in the electrolyte mix rupture EMF is produced.
The matls. which have good heat resistance and long life consist of ethylene polymers and ethylene-propylene copolymers. In a test a matl. contg. 4 pts. of polyethylene and 6 pts. of ethylene-propylene copolymer was used.
Ni positive electrodes for alk. batteries are prepd. by either compression moulding of a mixt. of Ni oxide, Bi2O3, a B compd., an electroconductive material, and a binder or by applying a paste obtd. with the above mixt. on to a conductive support. These electrodes have superior charging-discharging properties and their manuf. is simplified. In an example, Ni OOH 100, Bi2O3 15, H3BO3 5, graphite powder 17, and polystyrene powder 8 were mixed together, blended following the addn. of PhMe 100 ml, and the paste obtained was applied on a 30 X 50 mm Ni screen. Manufg. time of thin electrode was 50 min in contrast to 12-16 hr required for prepg. a similar sized electrode by a conventional method. Furthermore, the electrode prepd. by the method of this invention showed hardly any detenoration after 50 charge-discharge cycles in 30% KOH when paired with a sintered Cl electrode. In contrast, a conventional electrode showed a dry to 68% in discharge efficiency after 50 charge-discharge cycles.
Spinwelding a thermoplastic cap mounted on a metal support (the central electrode of an electric cell) and rotated in edge contact with a tubular thermoplastic casing temporarily supported in a rigid holder, where contact between the cap and its support is enhanced by external pressure. Pressure may be sustained by a high pressure fluid jet or by an annular turntable bearing against the thermoplastics cap. Esp. claimed for mfr. of electric cell cores. The external press. maintains the cap in contact with its rotary support to inhibit relative angular displacement (slip) because of the peripheral friction drag prior to fusion with the sheath.
Accumulator terminals made by coupling a soft lead (Pb) or lead alloy body inside the cell to a threaded bolt passing through the cell cover, where the bolt can be tightened to seat the leaden body into a cap defined by the elastic matl. lining the roof of the cell. The cap should feature tibs which become embedded in the Pb as it spreads in compression. The cap or seat for the clamped seal should be of polyolefin, polystyrene, polycarbonate, chlorinated polyether, ABS, PVC, polysulphone or polyphenylene oxide. For mfr. of wet cell electric accumulators required to function any way up. The matls. used for the cap offer a combination of chemical resistance, high modulus, long term elasticity and electrical insulation.
In a galvanic cell having a Zn anode, an MnO2 cathode and an alkaline electrolyte, the Zn anode contains &lt;8% Hg based on Zn anode wt. and the cell (anode) also contains an ethylene oxide polymer selected from di- and triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol having an av. mol. wt. 190-7000, their C4 and lower alkyl esters and their C4 lower alkanoate esters, pref. polyethylene glycol or methoxy polyethylene glycol, 300-700 av. mol. wt. The combination of Hf and polymer improves the storage stability of the cell compared with a similar cell contg. the same Hg but no polymer, under comparable conditions.
A separator for a cell is made by embossing a nonporous synthetic resin sheet, stretching the embossed sheet in biaxial directions to form a porous synthetic resin sheet, depositing a synthetic resin soln. consisting of a synthetic resin solvent and a nonsolvent on the porous sheet, and drying the sheet to evaporate the volatile component in the soln. The presence of a rib shaped part in the separator facilitates circulation of the electrolyte and thus improves the cell capacity.
Coating consists of a synthetic resin film contg. an anti-oxidant, an reducing agent and a surfactant. The coating prevents oxidn., and is easily removed when immersed in the electrolytic acid of the cell. In an example, a lead plate is immersed for 30 minutes in an aq. soln. contg. 2-4% of a resin soln. of 1.0 vol.% antioxidant, 30 vol.% resin film forming agent, 3.0 vol.% nonionic surfactant and 66 vol.% reducing agent.    The lead plate is then dried at 140 degrees C in an inert atmosphere to form a film of 20-100 mu. The film prevents the lead anode plate from oxidation during storage.
A mixt. comprising (a) a soln. of 40 pts. electrolyte, 10 pts. acrylamide and 0.4 pts. hypo polymsn. catalyst, and (b) 50 pts. electrolyte soln. and 0.5 pts. ammonium persulphate polymsn. initiator, was prepd. and immediately poured into a zinc can anode. A shaped cathode is introduced into the mixt. and a polyacrylamide layer forms between the electrodes.
Electrochemical element contains successively (I) a thin, electronically conducting cathodic collector, (II) a thin catholyte layer, (III) a thin separator layer, and (IV) a thin Li-contg. anode, II and III contg. a gel consisting of a polyvinyl acetal esp. polyvinyl formal, impregnated with a solvent e.g. propylene carbonate, and an ionically conducting salt e.g. potassium iodide, gives high energy discharges and yields.
A rope handle is attached to a thin container wall of a battery by forming a thin projecting rib on one side of the wall, which has the same thickness as the wall, so as to form a fluid contg. pocket. A settable plastic, e.g. epoxy resin is poured into the pocket and allowed to set so that the wall, rib and plastic define a solid block. An opening is made through the block, and the rope made from e.g. polypropylene is secured in the block with the rope projecting from the opening.
A non aq. battery comprises (a) an electronically conducting cathode of a cpd. of pyrolytic graphite and the negative ion of a salt from LiClO4, LiCF3SO3 and LiBF4, formed by reacting the graphite with the salt, (b) an Li anode and (c) an electrolyte of one of the above salts dissolved in dimethyl sulphite or propylene carbonate. The battery is pref. prepd. in a discharged state from a pyrolytic graphite cathode, a nonwoven polypropylene separator, an anode substrate and the electrolyte, and charged to deposit Li on the anode and form the cathode cpd.
Primary cell with a negative Zn or Mg electrode contains a polyethylene glycol monoalkyl ether, esp. the lauryl ether as corrosion inhibitor. The inhibitor is non-toxic and has a good inhibiting action.
Catalyst and binder are simultaneously applied to a carrier to form a catalyst layer by (1) preparing a suspension of catalyst in a first liquid medium, (2) dissolving binder in a second liquid medium which is immiscible with first, (3) mixing suspension with soln., (4) applying emulsion obtd. to a support and (5) removing liquid medium by evaporation from deposited layers. Uses include prepn. of electrodes, e.g. anodes for fuel cells. Fuel cell anode is pref. prepd. by coating a carrier with emulsion obtd. by mixing (a) a suspension of 200-400 g./l. active C in a mixt. of water, or an alcohol, esp. BuOH, with triethanolamine and (b) a soln. of 20-50 g./l. PVC in a cyclic ketone, pref. cyclohexanone.
The separator is impregnated with an aq. soln. of the surfactant (I). It is suitable for Ni-Cd, alkali-Mn, Hg and Ag cells etc. Treatment improves the absorption capacity and affinity of the fibres for alkaline electrolytes (IOH, NaOH), so that the cells can be mfd. in a much shorter time than usual and have better properties. The synthetic fibres opt. are mixed with mercerised cellulose fibres. Treatment comprises immersion in an aq. soln. contng. 0.01-1 wt.% (I) and then drying. (I) has gen. formula: (in which R is 12-18C alkyl; n is n' are 0-20). Woven or non-woven polyamide, polypropylene, polyfluoroethylene, PVDC, PVD or polyvinyl alcohol fibres can be used.
Cathode plate with wide area and a thin section, is coated with a thin electrodeposited layer of nickel dendrite by (1) providing a thin metal core with through holes made by electrolysis; (2) electrodepositing a Ni dendrite layer on both sides of the core, and (3) oxidising the Ni dendrite layer with electrolytic oxidation in an aq. solution of KOH. The alkaline battery comprises the cathode, a Cd activated Ni anode, and a Ni casing; the cathode and anode being separated by polyamide cloth and impregnated by KOH electrolyte.
A fuel cell with one porous electrode through which an oxidizing gas passes, and a second porous electrode through which a fuel gas passes accommodates the electrolyte in an inner cavity filled by a porous fibre separator matrix. This matrix is a self-supporting compressible fibre mat with dispersed and entangled microfibres with a high mol. wt. polyaryl sulphone ether polymer of 0.01-20 mu (0.05-1.5 mu m) dia. The use of such a matrix permits the use of 10 ml thick electrodes without risk of leakage losses. Cells of this design have a longer life and a higher efficiency because the matrix allows working temps. of up to 475 degrees F.
A copolymer derived from alpha,beta-unsatd. carboxylic acid 5-20, other vinyl monomer having soly., in water at 20 degrees &gt;2 wt.% 15-95, and other vinyl monomer 0-80 wt.% having glass-transition temp. &gt;45 degrees is dispersed in a media at pH &gt;5 adjusted with NH4OH or an amine b. &lt;100 degrees to give a binder compsn. for a battery glass mat. In an example, 2 mm. glass mat of 19 mu diam. glass fibres was impregnat-with 7% solids 15:20:65 methacrylic acid-methyl acrylate methyl methacrylate copolymer (I) emulsion at pH 9.5 adjusted with NH4OH, and dried 2 min. at 160 degrees to 7% gains in wt. The mat. had wt. loss after 5 hr. in H2SO4 at 80 degrees 0.78%, moisture absorption after 48 hr. at 25 degrees and relative humidity 90% 0.37, decrease in thickness after 24 hr. in H2SO4 at 80 degrees with 20 kg/cm2 load 14%, compared with 3.25, 0.65, and 43. resp., for a similar mat bound with 10:10-80 I.
The terminal seal for an electrical accumulator consists of polypropylene which is pressed through a heated nozzle into the annular space between an annular flange in the accumulator cover and the terminal bolt. The bolt is hollow and the sealant is applied through its bore and radial sprues; a central hole in the sealant accepts a self-tapping screw. The seal is simple to apply. The elevation of the terminal bolt can vary relative to that of the cover without detrimental effect. Different polarity can be indicated by different colours of the sealant.
A composite porous electrode comprises (a) a porous metal body, one surface facing an electrochemically reactive fluid and the other facing an aq. electrolyte, soln.; (b) a hydrophobic, halogen-inert, layer on the first surface to repel electrolyte, and (c) a coating of electric-alloy conductive particles in hydrophobic binder on the second surface, with the concn. of particles lower close to the surface than further from it. The hydrophobic material is pref. a polyfluoroolefin resin.
Resin foil or sheet, useful as electrode separators for electric cells, e.g. Pb- and alkaline cells and non-leakage cells, having a porous layered structure and exhibiting fine pores, some, esp. 40-90%, open-celled and having &lt;0.01-10 mu av. pore dia., throughout several layers, contains (a) an olefine resin (I); (b) 5-300% finely divided inorg. filler and 1 material such as 3-100% water-swellable thermoplastic resins, 0.01-30% water-insol. or difficulty sol. hydrophillic non-ionic or anionic surfactants and opt. (c) 1-100% resin difficultly compatible with (I) (%-ages by wt/wt. (I)) (I) may be an olefin homopolymer, esp. polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, polybutylene or poly-(4-methylpenten-(1)), or a copolymer contg. 50 wt.% olefine or a modified polyolefine, esp. chlorinated or chlorosulphonated polyethylene. Pref. sheet is drawn in at least one direction in an 1.5 draw ratio, at a temp. above softening point but below m.pt. of (I), and heat-treated, below m.pt. of (I) but above draw-temp.
Lead - acid battery has a number of interleaved positive and negative battery plates of dispersion strengthened lead expanded to less than four times original volume by the formation of spaced sheared pockets to receive the active lead compound material. The plates are separated by microporous polyethylene or pvc separators. The battery provides a light weight high output short duration power source.
For maintenance-free batteries usable in any orientation. The plugs are positioned in apertures in a closure of resilient plastic material e.g. polyolefin, polystyrene, ABS, PVC or the like. The plugs have a Binell hardness &lt;10 kg/mm2 and the bolts are of harder conductive material e.g. brass, Cu, Ag, Ni, Zn etc.    Pref. the plugs are deformed tightly into ridged counter bores on the inside of the closure. The bolts may be embedded nuts or the threaded ends of the bolts may screw into internally and externally threaded inserts in the plugs. Creep and leakage of acid past the plugs is more reliably prevented than with sealants alone. Electric resistance is low and currents e.g. as high as 100-700 amps. may be taken for short periods.
An injection mould comprises a first mould section with side wall members and an end wall member defining a mould cavity, the sidewall and end wall members being sepd. on opening the mould. Each of the sidewall members follows a specific path in moving between open and closed positions by means of guide posts. Cam interlocks comprising four small retaining blocks rigidly secure a base plate and sidewall members during mould closure and injection. A second mould section is movable to open and close the mould cavity and has a planar surface acting as an abutment to the ends of the above sidewall members. The mould section has similar cam interlocks to the first mould section. Partitioned battery casings can be moulded from e.g. polystyrene cellulose acetate and polypropylene.
Hermetically sealed galvanic cell has a generally flat, two sided construction with an anode, cathode and electrolyte-contg. separator placed in a housing with two conducting side walls connected on their inner periphery by a non-conducting plastic seal, pref. of polyethylene or ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer neutralised with zinc ions.
The title electrode (I), also used for air-metal cells and electrochemical oxygen generators, has little polarisation effects even under high discharge. (I) comprise a sintered prod. of mainly Ni, which is immersed in a catalytic salt soln. (e.g. Pd) and coated with a water-repellant F-contg. resin emulsion (e.g. as a non-woven textile). The electrode is then washed free of surfactant contained in the resin, dried and subjected to pressure to unify the compsn.
The substrate is coated with the mixt. on one or both sides. The diaphragm is esp. suitable for alkaline systems where a high rate capability and extended life are desired. The pref. mixt. consists of Mg(OH)2 (binder, TiO2 (inorg. material) and H2O or an alkaline electrolyte (NaOH or KOH) (medium) with binder/inorg. material in a wt. ratio of 1-40 : 1 esp. 15-25 : 1, and a surface density of the inorg. material of 0.01-7.00 x 10-3 (0.10-1.00 x 10-3) g/cm2 active electrode area.
An electrochemical generator comprises a prismatic aerator supporting a pair of cathode electrodes and mounted on an obturator assembly sealed by a flexible gasket to a container, and a U-shaped anode support carrying a pair of electrode assemblies each having a first compartment, including 1 separator layer and 1 amalgamated expanded Zn layer, and a second compartment including a homogeneous plate of hydrated KOH.    Disassembly for replacement or cleaning is facilitated; loss of electrolyte between cells is avoided; direct anode-electrolyte contact is avoided; generator volume is minimised.
The electrode comprises active matl. between a central conductive rod and a surrounding sheath, the rod having integral spacers (e.g. fins) along its length which are at least partially coated an electrically insulating matl. e.g. a thin coating of an electrolyte resistant lacquer or a polyester. This coating reduces the tendency of electrochemical reaction being conc. at the spacers, esp. those that have edges turned towards the electrode of opposite polarity, with consequential weakening of the electrode.
Cell comproses a zinc cathode can and a central graphite rod surrounded first by a depolariser based on MnO2 then by a polymeric membrane suitable for retarding Zn2+ membranes. The electrolyte is a soln. of 1 amine salt, pref. the chlorhydrate of ethylene diamine or of pyridine. The cell exhibits less Zn diamine formation around the anode.
A membrane sheet is supported over a hole in the frame larger than the end of the holder. After application and securing to the holder, the membrane material is severed within the dia. of the hole. Pref. the severing line is defined by a ring of slot perforations. The membrane is secured by an O-ring rolled into a groove in the holder from a mandrel. Diaphragm materials are polypropylene, polyorganosiloxane, and copolymer of the latter with an aromatic polycarbonate. Assembly is simple and rapid with less risk of damage, and without the need for subsequent trimming. It is esp. useful in blood dialysis e.g. for isolating a sensing electrode in tubular holder, for measurements of pH, or dissolved CO2 or O2.
Low cost, high quality biolectrode consists of Ag and AgCl particles dispersed throughout an inert, insulating and water impermeable org. matrix (pref. a resin) such that the Ag and AgCl particles contact each other. Ag particles are present in an amt. 15-70 vol % of matrix plus particles, and AgCl particles in an amt. 0.2-15 vol %. The matrix is used to bond the electrode to an electrical conductor/support.
A sinterable compsn. contains PVC with K value 60-75 (65-70) bulk wt. 350-500 (400-450) g/dm3, 12-25 (15-20) wt. % softener uptake, average grain size 15-35 mu and grain size distribution of 60-98 wt.% &lt;33 mu, 2-35% 33-63 mu, 0-4.5% 63-125 mu and 0-0.5% &gt;125 mu, the PVC is prepd. by suspension polymn. in aq. phase, using an oil-sol. activator in presence of a suspension stabiliser, a nonionic wetting agent, and as emulsifier, 0.01-0.5 (0.08-0.3) wt. % related to the monomer, of an alkylaryl, sulphonic acid with 3-16C in the alkyl chain and/or an 8-16C alkylsulphonic acid. The compsn. is esp. used to make separator plates for accumulators, other applications include packings for cooling and irrigation towers, filters, insulation materials, porous compsns. for ion-exchangers, and flower pots. A separator plate 0.5 mm thick with breaking strength 80-150 (90-130) kg/cm2 elongation at break 6-11% (6.5-9%) water uptake 40-100 (50-80) wt. % and capillary rise 120-180 mm (140-160 mm) can be produced. Additives such as emulsion polymers are not needed and the compsns. have good mechanical electrical and sintering properties. The separator plates have a smooth surface, with fine pores and adequate porosity for the passage of electrolyte.
Anode assemblies where the neck of the support is clad with a polymeric material, which is electrolytically inert, to seal the support surface against penetration by electrolyte, have the polymer fused to the wet support surface before hardening. The polymeric seal is pref. of polyester resin (RTM-'Mylar') applied as a pre-fabricated sleeve or a coating, and fused at 250-300 degrees C to adhere to the support with a shallow contact angle. Polymer is used to avoid stray capacitance or leakage currents due to electrolyte/support contact. Fused insulation provides more uniform surface contact than sub-fusion heat shrunk sleeving.
The cell-connecting bars each with a pair of flat flanges embracing each cell partition, are dropped into U-openings of the partitions. The battery is thus fully pre-assembled. An inverted, pref. cruciform mould is then placed over each joint and the space in the mould, around the bar and flanges etc. is injected with a plastics which is compatible with the partition matl. Both partition and injected matl. may be polypropylene.
A lead accumulator battery comprises pasted electrodes (mass type electrodes) with porous separators between the anode and cathode plates. The separator, which lies directly against the anode plate, comprises a layer of acid-resistant and oxidation-resistant, flexible, micro-porous material, in which the pores are sufficiently small to prevent minute particles of the active anode material from migrating through it. Pref., the cathode plate lies directly against the other side of the porous material. Pref. materials for the porous layer are synthetic polymers, esp. fibres of &lt;5 mu diameter of polyacrylonitrile, PVC, polyvinylidene chloride, polyester, polyether, polypropylene or phenol formaldehyde resin.
The corrosion resistance of ionising electrodes in electrostatic precipitators is increased by using carbon fibre, which can be of mono filament form or formed from spun yarn and then reinforced with a hardening resin, which can be formed in sitn. in the filter housing. Metal, such as resin covered steel, or synthetic fibre can also be incorporated.
A planar battery comprises coextensive planar anode and cathode a coextensive planar separator having an electrolyte-permeable central portion, contg. an electrolyte, and an electrically non-conducting, vapour-impervious, hydrophobic thermoplastic sealant coextensive with the margins of the energy-generating components and sealing them to 1 well of a container. Battery is used in a film cassette for powering camera instruments.
A soln. of synthetic resin (e.g. PVC, polystyrene, polyisylidenefluoride, ABS) dissolved in a first solvent (e.g. tetrahydrofurance, chloroform, dimethyl formamide, etc) is mixed with a second solvent (e.g. isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol) which is miscible with the first solvent but incapable of dissolving the resin, and the soln. is pref. impregnated in a pref. synthetic fabric (e.g. woven, nonwoven, knitted). The soln. is then heated to evaporate off the volatile components to produce an extremely thin porous fabric having a uniform distribution of pores which allow passage of ions but prevent passage of particles. The fabric may be used as an air filter or as a separator wall for electrolyte in a battery. The soln. may contain colourants and thickening agents.
Plastic cathode mixt. contains I2 and a charge transfer complex consisting of poly-2-vinyl quinoline. I2 or poly-2-vinyl pyridine. I2 and contains 2-15 moles I2 for each N atom. Mixts. are esp. suitable for prim. elements with a -ve Li electrode and a solid LiI electrolyte.
Method comprises impregnating e.g. beta-alumina with an org. substance which, on thermal decompsn. in a non-oxidising gas, leaves C on the surface, and the electrolyte is then fired at 500-1,000 degrees C in a non-oxidising atmos. The org. substance is pref. furfural, furfuryl alcohol (-formaldehyde resin). or phenol-formaldehyde resin etc. The electrolyte can be used for an alkali metal -S secondary battery system.
Vehicle storage battery has an automatic water topping-up device on top of each cell, as described in parent patent. To prevent flooding from the topping-up vessel into the cell compartment during braking, acceleration etc. of the vehicle, the lower end of each ventilation pipe has 1 bore the total cross-section of the bore(s) being is not &gt; the cross-section of a single bore with an internal dia. of 6 mm. Pref. a single bore is provided with an int. dia. of 3 mm.
Plates are mfd. by adding pref. 1% of 1 non-ionic, gel-forming hydrophilic macro-molecular substance, pref. polyvinyl alcohol or its lower alkyl ethers, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or esp. lower alkyl ethers of cellulose to the dry lead dust or lead oxide (opt. sulphated) mixt. or to the wet mixt., using an increased amt. of water is used. Capacity of the batteries per g. of material in the plates is increased, together with performance, e.g. discharge time on the cold start test, without increased sludge formation.
Hydrophobic, gas permeable electrode comprises a Ni mesh coated with a catalyst of MnO2 supported on sintered Ni or active carbon and bonded by a fluorocarbon polymer, pref. PTFE. The coated surfaces of the Ni mesh are covered by hydrophobic, semipermeable membranes made of PTFE (fibres) or microporous polypropylene. Spec. the MnO2 is formed in situ from KMnO4 or Mn nitrate by heating or H2O2 treatment. Electrode gives a high volumetric yield and electrical capacity, and low polarisation, with good life and stability.
Battery cell consisting of a metallic lithium anode plate; a cathode contg. MoO3, pref. a porous cathode with soot and polytetrafluoroethylene; a device for separating the electrodes, pref. a permeable foil; and an electrolyte of 1-4 mole, pref. 2.5-3 mole of Lithium hexafluoroarsenate per litre of methyl formate soln. The cathode, sepg. foil and the anode are pref. rolled up in a coil. At a 50 hour rating, the av. voltage was 2.28 and the capacity 4.8 ampere-hours; the capacity:weight ratio was 95 watt-hours per 453 g. and the cell can operate between -55 degrees to +74 degrees C.
Vulcanised rubber matls are made from 5-20 wt. % styrene-butadiene copolymer rubber (2), 60 wt. % finely divided inert filler, 2-8 wt. % styrene-butadiene copolymer resin 2-15 wt. % glass fibres, 3-6 wt. % process oil, 40-160 wt. % (on I) of an activator such as limestone and l-12 wt. % (on I) sulphur. The compsns. are esp. useful for making thin walled lead-acid battery cases which can withstand high usage temps.
Method comprises dispersing polyester or polyacrylic fibres, or a mixture, a length 0.5-10 cm in a dispersing medium, such as water, converting them into a felt-type fibre layer using a net; applying a resin soln. or suspension, by an impregnating or a spraying method, which comprises a water soluble emulsion (or suspension) of acrylic esters, butadiene styrene copolymers and vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymers; and drying and hardening at 120-180 degrees C.
The carbon rod does not absorb electrolyte and is e.g. made by mixing graphite powders with binders, such as polyethylene, and polypropylene, shaping into a rod; and heating at 1000-1100 degrees C. electrical conductive powders comprises 85g graphite and 1kg of acetylenic powder are mixed in a soln. comprising nitrile rubber and xylene; and stirred to make an electrically conductive paint. The sintered carbon rod is soaked in the resultant conductive paint and heat treated at 100 degrees C for 30 minutes, to form a conductive layer on the surface of the rod.    The electrolyte cannot permeate into the electrode to corrode the cap.
The battery pref. comprises a Mg cathode, a synthetic resin separator, and a cathode made by mixing 100 pts. Cu (I) chloride, 10 pts. graphite powder, 10 pts. acetylene black, 2 pts. PVA, 0.1 pt. surfactant, and 500 pts. water, dispersing in 20 pts. paper pulp, injecting under pressure through a small nozzle into dry air at 100 degrees C and making into paper conventionally.
A battery having a cathode of alkali(ne earth) metal, e.g. Li, Na, Ca, Mg or al (alloys), is provided with a container of metal plated e.g. Ni, thermoplastic resin, such as ABS, AS, polystyrene, polyacetal or polycarbonate resin. Ingress of water into the non-aq. electrolyte is prevented and the high voltage of 3.0-3.5V is maintained for an extended period.
Additive preventing dendrite formation in a rechargeable galvanic cell contg. a zinc anode, a cathode (e.g. nickel oxide) and an alkaline electrolyte, contains a polycation pref. a quaternary ammonium cation contg. &gt;2 positive charges located in the chain or side positions or in a heterocyclic ring. Pref. additives include poly (N,N,N,N -tetramethyl-N-ethylene-N-hexamethylenediammonium dibromide) poly(vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride), poly (N,N-dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) or the like. The MW of the additive is 500-50000, pref. 1000-20000. The additive is introduced into the electrolyte in an amt. of 0.01-10 wt. %, pref. 0.1-2 wt.%.
The cell is closed by an Al wafer cell-top having an electrolyte filling cap, this cell-top being sealed around its periphery with a resilient grommet seal over which the cell container is crimped. In addn. the resulting annular joint is covered by a gas-impermeable seal element, comprising polymer films coated on both sides of an Al foil, heat sealed to the wafer cell-top and to the cell container, and being covered by heat shrinkable cell jacket. A Li/SO2 org. electrolyte cell is described.
A bifunctional element or a porous electrode for fuel cells comprises a catalyst layer consisting of a mixt. of a catalyst and polymer, esp. PTFE, a barrier layer constituted predominantly of the same polymer and contg. added material to make it electrically conducting and applied onto the catalyst layer, a cathode current collector made of electrons-conducting and chemically inert metal and in contact with the barrier layer, and a membrane applied onto the catalyst layer. The cathode current collector is glued onto the barrier layer pref. using a conducting lacquer. The membrane is pref. of: either an asbestos sheet impregnated with epoxy resin; or of tangled cellulose fibres, calcined under an inert or reducing atmos. at 340-400 degrees C. This arrangement enables the electrode to be operated under a very low excess press of a few g/cm2 above atmos. press. The electrode can also be used in an acid or other chemical medium and is esp. suitable for a fuel cell of the filter press type.
A porous electrode for a fuel cell comprises a catalyst layer consisting of a mixture of catalyst and polymer, esp. PTFE a polymer barrier layer on one face of the catalyst layer and having an open porosity of 40-60 (50) %, a current collecting grating consisting of an electrons-conducting and chemically inert material, and a sepg. fabric on the opposite side of the catalyst layer. The current collecting grating penetrates completely through the barrier layer and partly into the catalyst layer. This arrangement enables the cell to be operated under a very slight overpressure of a few millibars as produced by a conventional blower.
Envelope for a Li-I2 cell, partic for the direct prodn. of electricity from a chemical reaction comprises (a) a first hollow housing consisting of a material which does not react with I2, having an opening at one end, and contg. the cell anode, cathode and electrolyte, (b) a closure device consisting of a material which does not react with I, having an opening at one end, and contg. the cell anode, cathode and electrolyte, (b) a closure device consisting of a material which does not react with I2 and seals the opening in the first housing and (c) a second hollow housing enclosing the first housing. Both the housing and the closure device may consists of resin or glass fibre-reinforced polyester.
The softener is of a suitable material which is insol. in the electrolyte in amt. 1-7% wt. the thermostabiliser being introduced in amt 0.2-1.0% wt. and the mixt being sintered at 180-210 degrees C. Suitable softeners are polyesters of satd. aliphatic decarboxylic acids, esp. adipic acid, with glycols such as butylene glycol, and triaryl phosphate partic. trieresyl phosphate, for batteries with an acid electrolyte. Thermostabilisers include Ba/Cd soap, polymers of dibutyl tin maleates and organo tin mercaptides. Allows the mechanical props. of PVC to be used as a separator, but reducing the brittleness so that it can withstand the shocks of battery mfr. and usage.
The support is made by impregnating paraffin in dried timber, (2) cooling the impregnated timber, (3) cutting the cortical tissue of the timber, (4) placing a glass fibre on the timer, (5) coating vulcaised rubber bonding agent, on the glass fibre, (6) vulcanising the rubber to adhere the vulcanised rubber layer and the glass fibre layer on the impregnated timber. The timber is thus covered with the rubber. which imparts elasticity to the structure to accommodate the vibration caused by electromagnetic field generated at high current density, and also provides wet-proofness.
The membrane is electrically insulating and has a porosity of 30-65%. It can be used in any medium, esp. in acid medium, has a predetermined porosity and can be made easily cheaply. It has excellent thermal stability. The fabric is calcined in a neutral or reducing atmos. (N2 or H2/N2) at 340-420 degrees C.
The battery comprises an inner cylindrical metal can the upper end of which is closed by a plastic insert cap which constitutes part of the anode collector assembly, and a negative terminal end plate having an annular moat into which the end of an outer cylindrical metal can is crimped. The closure seal comprises an annular absorbent washer seated on the turned over upper edge of the inner metal can, a layer of insulating liquid-impermeable plastic over part of this washer and the outer wall of the inner metal can, an adhesive-backed plastic disc engaging this layer, the washer and the top of the insert cap to thereby form a first leakproof zone, and a second upper layer of insulating liquid-impermeable plastic in contact with the upper surface of the disc and the upper inside crimped wall of the outer can to thereby form a second leakproof zone.
Plates contain &lt;3.0 wt. % Sb and the gas adsorbing electrode comprises a porous body of carbon on graphite coated with Pd on Pt and TFE for H2, opt. with Ag for O2 adsorption.
The gas-adsorbing electrode comprises a carbon on graphite porous body coated with Pd and Pt and PTFE coatings for H2; opt. with Ag to adsorb O2. Any Sb on arsenide in the lattice dissolves in the electrolyte and no catalyst poison is produced, so extending operating life.
The paste material contains a mixt. of 15-55 pts. of an incompletely saponidifed vinyl acetate-unsatd. fatty acid copolymer, 85-45 pts. etherified cellulose and 0-100 pts. of (denatured) starch. The unsatd. fatty acid may be propenic, oleic, sorbic, linolic or linolenic and the etherified cellulose may be (m)ethyl, hydroxypropyl or hydroxyethyl cellulose. The cell has improved liq. leakage resistance and long storage life.
Battery comprises a cathode of 10 pts. MnO2 (dehydrated and activated at 250-350 degrees C), 1 pt. TFE-hexafluoroethylene copolymer and 1 pt. carbon black, a Li anode and non-woven polypropylene separator. The electrolyte is of propylene carbonate contg. LiClO4.
Prodn. comprises fusing a mixt. of 1 mol. Al2O3 and &gt;4 mol. SiO2, rapidly cooling the melt to form a glass, finely dividing the glass, adding &lt;10% powdery material which is evapd. when burned e.g., carbon and a starch to the glass powder and sintering at 950- degrees - 1200 degrees C. In a reducing atmosphere. The porous ceramic is used as a separator.
The battery comprises a cathode of Cu meshed coated with a mixt. of 8 pts. CuF2, 2 pts. graphite and 0.2 pts polyethylene, an anode of Li-coated Ni mesh, non-woven polypropylene separator, and an electrolyte of propylene carbonate contg. KPF6. Perforated polyethylene separator plates are provided for passage of electrolyte and gas exhaustion.
Battery comprises a polyethylene container with a negative electrode of Na-coated Ag mesh, and a positive electrode Ag-mesh coated with a paste of 50% Mo oxide, 40% graphite and 10% benzene soln. of polystyrene. The electrolyte is of propylene carbonate contg. 1 mol./l. NaClO4 and 0.01 mol./l. LiClO4. Unwoven polypropylene cloth separator is used.
The battery comprises an enclosed evacuated cylindrical inner housing suspended within an evacuated cylindrical outer housing and contg. sealed high temp. secondary electrochemical cells connected in series. Terhmal insulation material is located between the two housings which have insulated feedthroughs for an insulated lead to the cells, and a thermal switch and heater wire are arranged on the inner housing to initially heat and maintain the cells at their operationg temp. The battery may be used as a power source for an artificial heart.
The zinc electrodes for a chemical current source are prepd. by mixing zinc oxide, with zinc dust and polyvinyl alcohol and passing the mixt. repeatedly through a sieve. After drying the compsn. can be pressed on to the current lead. The mfrg. process can be simplified if the viscous mixt. of zinc oxide, zinc dust and polyvinyl alcohol is dried to a moisture content of 12-15% and then passed through a 1 mm mesh sieve. The resulting granular material is dried to a moisture content of 0.1-0.5% and passed through a 2 mm. mesh sieve. The final pressing operation then takes place. This process produces electrodes of high uniformity and a stable mass per unit volume.
Hydropholic polyacrylate resins, comprising hydroxy-or alkoxy-alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid, are dissolved in a solvent such as EtOAc, CHCl3, acetone, toluene, benzene, dioxan, etc., and coated onto a non-woen textile or microporous synthetic resin and heated to evaporate solvent. The diaphragm is used as an alkali separator in a battery.
A separator for storage batteries, is prepd. by coating a sheet having acid, oxidn. and alkali resistance with a mixed material consisting of synthetic resin emulsion and finely divided powder, emulsion and powder also having acid, oxidn. and alkali resistance, and sintering.
Two non-woven acid/oxidation resistant cloths are immersed into a resinous soln. e.g. acrylyl, polyester or phenol resins, they are dried &lt; hardening temp. of resin but sufficient to evaporate solvent. The cloths are layered and sewn together, using a polyester thread, into a pouch or bag. A core rod of brass, Al, stainless steel etc., is inserted into the pouch and the whole hardened in a drying furnace. After cooling the rods are removed and the final prod. obtained by cutting as required.
A battery separator comprises a thin sheet-like nonwoven fibrous web of hydrophobic org. polymer fibres (e.g. a partially degraded polypropylene) which is resistant to battery acid or alkali, and contains a wetting agent (e.g. an adduct of ethylene oxide and a phenolic cpd) incorporated in the individual fibres. The wetting agent is not leached out when the battery is washed to remove acid on charging for the first time and is not affected by extreme service conditions e.g. when the battery is subjected to violent shaking during driving.
A battery separator comprises a sheet-like nonwoven fabric consisting of a hydrophobic org. polymer (e.g. a partially degraded polypropylene) resistant to battery acid or alkali, being a compressed web whose individual fibres contain an inner wetting agent (e.g. an adduct of ethylene oxide and a phenolic cpd.) and whose surface has been treated with an exterior wetting agent (e.g. an aliph, ethoxylated org. phosphate). Wetting agents do not tend to leach out when the battery is being washed before charging for the first time to remove acid. It is not affected by extreme service conditions e.g. violent shaking during driving.
An electrochemical cell having a casing with 1 gas diffusion electrode, 1 second electrode and an aq. electrolyte in the casing, a layer of 1 water soluble polymeric thickening agent, swellable in the aq. electrolyte, adhered to (part of) of the inner surface of the casing.
An electrode plate of a lead storage cell comprises a thin plate of lead (alloy) having a surface consisting partly of material activated by formation treatment and partly of non-formed material used as collector. As the electrode plate material, pure lead, lead alloy such as Pb-Ag, Pb-Sn Pb-As alloy or PbO or BaSO4 dispersed lead alloy may be used. Cell has rapid discharged.
The extruded fibres are formed into a continuous band sheeting by a rotary unit to give a material which is formed into profiled sheets of corrugations by the application of heat and pressure to give a bonded sheet. Pref. fibres are polypropylene, for acid cells, or alt. polyethylene and polystyrene, pref. nylon is used for alkali cells, together with any cross-linking and ot her desired stabilising additives. A stable and long-life battery divider material is produced with porosity &gt;40%, resisting the mechanical, chemical and vibratory stresses to which batteries are subjected.
In a lithium-iodine cell a surface portion of the lithium anode is connected to a conductor extending through the casing, the connection being sealed against contact with iodine by positioning the anode in a holder which is non-conductive on exposure to iodine. Esp. for implanted cardiac pacemaker power source and prevents internal short-circuit due to iodine flow.
Diaphram membrane for use in fuel cells or for brine electrolysis is formed of a synthetic resin with pores filled by titanium hydrosale, zirconium hydrosade, zirconium silicate, or silica gel, and has a specific electric conductivity of 1 x 10-3 - 10-1 mho/cm, and a specific permeability to water of 10-3 -150 l/m2 hr, at a pressure difference of 0.5 kg/cm2. Combines low electric resistance with low water permeability.
A permeable non-porous membrane is made by filling the pores of a porous substrate to give a smooth surface to the substrate, depositing a permeable but non-porous film upon the smooth surface, and then removing the material from the pores of the substrate. The substrate may be of PTFE or polyethylene and the film may also be of the same material or silicone and is pref. applied by sputtering or from soln. The membrane may be coated with a porous metal layer to form a fuel cell electrode or may be used as it is in a reverse osmosis cell. The metal coated version may be used also in a body fluid pressure monitor or a heart catheter. The pore filling material is pref. ice deposited from water vapour.
The cell is of the type using vertical alternate anodes and cathodes, principally to produce chlorine and chlorates. The seal for the joint between the cell base plate and the side walls comprises a rigid frame which surrounds the electrodes and has its electrode-side face and its compression faces covered in corrosion-resistant material having a hardness value on the Shore 'A' scale of between 2 and 20, e.g. a cellular synthetic rubber. The rigid frame can be moulded in polyester material, pref. reinforced with glass fibres.
The insulator is moulded from a stabilized polyethylene or polyfluorethylene resin while its pin of the same metal as the electrolyser anode. The sun of angles at the large base is 30-90 degrees and the clearance between the pin and the insulator is selected to ensure the desired spacing between the anode and cathode as well as for a given mobility of the insulator during the lift of cathodes. The design prevents inter electrode shorting, increases the yield from the current and prolongs the service life of anodes. The insulator is subject to rotation and reciprocation in the electrolyte to promote the removal of slime settled on its surface. At the same time, the voltage in the bath is raised by 0.01-0.15 V whereas the weight of cathode deposition is increased by 12-15 kg.
The mastic, used e.g. in lead accumulators, contains regenerated rubber, bitumen and oil. A mastic stable between -50 and +80 degrees C is obtd. if rubber from worn out tubes or from curing chambers is used and the ratio of components is 1 : 2 : 1. A typical mastic contains regenerate type RBV and RKT of softness 2.5 - 2.9 (1 p.b.w) bitumen No.5 (2 p.b.w) and oil MT-16P (1 p.b.w). It is gas impermeable and resistant to ozone ageing.
Molten thermoplastic material is introduced into the annular space round the tube, thus avoiding the use of solvents or other undesirable chemicals. Alternatively powdered thermoplastic is applied into the preheated tube e.g. by fluidized bed technique. To prevent contact and therefore wear between separators and electrodes the thermoplastic has a greater outside diameter than the tube sheath.
Machine for injection moulding a container esp. for accumulators, has a hollow body, for forming the external faces of the base and the side walls of the container, a complementary body with cores for forming the internal faces of the base and the side walls, and a device with heated channels for injecting the plastic material under press. into the cavity formed by the two bodies. The base of the hollow body has strips of adjustable thickness fixed in relief on the base of the hollow body for equlibriating the distributions of the injected plastic material between the core and the hollow body. In this way complicated shapes can be moulded without the need for disassembling the mould.
The mixt comprising 30 pts. wt solid (CFx)n (where x =1 50 pts. wt graphite, 5 pts. wt acetylene black and 15 pts. wt ethylene tetrafluoride-propylene hexafluoride copolymer is compressed at 1 ton/cm2 around a nickel wire to make a -positive electrode. A nickel wire is embedded in a lithium plate to make a negative electrode. A battery is assembled using the two electrodes. and an electrolyte comprising 1 mol/l, sodium perchlorate and 0.2 mol/l lithium perchlorate dissolved in gamma-butyrolactone. Improved discharge characteristics and storage life are attained.
Active paste is produced from a mixt. of (in pts. wt) (CFx)n (where 0&lt; x 1) 10 pts. C powder 10 pts. and ethylene tetrafluoride 1 pt, and formed around a Ni net. The negative electrode is a light metal e.g. Li, Na, Mg, Al and their alloys. with an electrolyte comprising 1 mol/l LiClO4 in propylene carbonate, and a non-woven polypropylene cloth separator. Improved discharge characteristics are obtd.
Battery has a negative electrode of light metal, e.g. Na, Li, Mg, Al or their alloys a positive electrode of S, and a electrolyte of ethyl chlorocarbonate. Improved rate of utilisation of active materials is achieved, along with improved life. In example, positive electrode also contains SBR, shaped around a Ni screen.
Battery has light metal negative electrode e.g. Na, Li Mg, Al or their alloys, a positive electrode of (CFx)n (where 0&lt; x1), and an electrolyte of NaClO4 and Li salt dissolved in propylene carbonate or gama-butyrolactone, and THF. Improved discharge efficiency is achieved. In example, the positive electrode also contains TFE and propylene hexafluoride shaped around a Ni net.
Pri. cell has a carbon fluoride positive electrode, a Mg negative electrode and an electrolyte of Mg, Na, Li or K perchlorate in a mixed solvent of acetonitrile and propylene carbonate or gama-butyrolactone. Cll hs improved efficiency and output. In ecample, positive electrode also contains PTFE, shaped around a Ni net.
Thermoplastic battery casings are fitted with metal terminals which traverse a sidewall, where the prefabricated terminal is set into a thermoplastic collar which can be sealed to the battery wall by ultrasonic welding. The terminal construction pref. comprises a threaded hexagonal steel insert set in a casting of lead (Pb) which features surface recesses to key with an integrally moulded collar to prevent any relative rotation or longitudinal movement. The collar profile is stepped to accept a tubular welding probe while the battery wall butts against the opposing welding electrode. Esp. for fittings for polypropylene battery cases, using terminal collars welded at a frequency &gt;15 kHz.
Immobilisation of 10-12.5N solns. of NaOH, KOH and their mixts. for use as battery electrolytes is effected by adding 1-20 wt.% of a mixt. of acrylamide with 3-15% N-N'-bis-acrylamide then polymerising the mixt. catalytically using a total quantity of catalyst of 0.3-0.65% w.r.t. the polymerisable substances. The polymer forms a three dimensional network, the final concn. of electrolyte being 6N pref. 7-7.5N. Polymsn. is effected without flocculation as occurred in the parent patent at above 9N starting concn.
Appts. for prodn. of a sintered sheet from synthetic resin powder, esp. for the manufacture of accumulator separators, has an endless metallic conveyor belt passing through a tunnel oven and a hot air circulation system for heating the belt in the oven, the latter system having an outer heat exchanger and a ventilator connected to the oven by circulation ducts. The whole heating length inside the oven is subdivided into successive heating sections connected for parallel flow, these sections being bordered downwards and sideways by the inner wall of the oven base and upwards by the belt. The pressure of the flowing hot air at each heating section end is at least equal to atmospheric pressure.
A fuel cell pile for hydrazine, dissolved in a liquid electrolyte (KOH), and a gaseous reactant (oxygen) supplies reactant and electrolyte through a central distributor which divides the pile in halves, (30 cells, on each side). The distributor is made of polymethacrylic acid ester (Plexi-glass) or polystyrene. The pile is held together by end plates made of glass-fibre reinforced epoxy resin.
Process comprises (a) starting with a thermoplastic battery box having integral partition walls dividing the box into compartments in which packs of battery plates, with separators interposed therebtween, are received, (b) completing the required inter cell connections through the partition walls, (c) filling the compartments with acid which is to define the electrolyte of the battery in use, (d) with the electrolyte remaining in the compartments, placing a heater in physical contact with the top peripheral edge of the box and the tops of the partition walls to soften them, (e) placing a heater in physical contact with a thermoplastic lid having a peripheral edge adapted as engage the top peripheral edge of the box and ribs adapted to engage the tops of the partition walls, the heater engaging the edge of the lid and the ribs to soften them.
Process comprises (a) starting with battery plate grids carrying the lead-acid battery paste required to produce + and - battery paltes after conversion of the paste into the active material of the plates (bb) placing acks of battery plate grids with separators interposed between them within compartments in a thermoplastic battery box having integral partition walls defining the compartments, (c) completing the required inter cell connections through the partition walls, (d) forming the grids within the box into the required + and - battery plates by converting paste on the grids in to the active material of the plates, (e) placing a heater in physical contact with the top peripheral edge of the box and the tops of the partition walls to soften them, (f) placing a heater in physical contact with a thermoplastic peripheral edge of the box and ribs adapted to engage the tops of the partition walls, The header engaging the edge of the lid and the ribs to soften them and (g) pressing the lid into the box to secure the lid to the box.
Mfg. a battery plate grid for an electric storage battery comprising (a) supporting a stencil over a support, the stencil defining the shape of the members of the grid to be formed, (b) supplying synthetic resin powder from a feeder through the stencil onto the support to produce a synthetic resin powder image of the gird to be formed, and (c) sintering the synthetic resin powder image of the grid to be formed, and (c) sintering the synthetic resin powder to produce the required grid.
0.05-1.0% lignin-type material (1) and 0.01-0.7% polyvinyl alcohol (II) are added to the active material, resulting in longer battery life. In an example, a cathode was prepd. by applying active material (PbO2 powder 99, BaSO4 1.0 wt. %) 99.9, I 0.05, and II 0.05% and tested using JIS test D 5301.
The housings are formed from a laminate with the inner layer of an inert polyethylene, the outer layer being a mechanically stable polyamide. The laminate is vacuum sealed to encapsulate the electrodes, current collectors and electrolyte, the collectors being covered with a soft bitumen insulating layer. The connections are of steel wire coils, with pointed ends, for easy and leak-proof penetration of the insulation layers, for the batteries to be clipped together and electrically connected, in housings which prevent the ingress of oxygen which would lead to reduced battery life.
The foam is used as sealant between the box and lid of a cell or battery having cell elements with an anode, cathode, partition and electrolyte. It is suitable for all types of Pb-acid cells and batteries. Leclanche dry cells, many alkaline electrolyte cells, gas electrode cells, fuel cells and hybrid cells and also for sealing batteries without a lid. It adheres well, is inert towards the electrolyte and can be removed easily for repairing the battery. The foam is cheaper and lighter than the unfoamed resin and also more durable, since it is more flexible and elastic and better able to withstand temp. fluctuations and vibrations.
Thewater level of cells and batteries, with alkaline electrolytes, is regulated by the use of porous air electrodes with a hydrophobic layer on the gas side, this layer being (partly) covered with water during (part of) the charge phase, so that water vapour diffuses through the water-covered, gas-filled pores of this layer as a result of the vapour pressure drop. Uniform addn. of water to the electrolyte over a long period and to all the individual cells of a battery is possible, without great cost. The diffusion is regulated by adjusting the water temp. The electrode can consist of 2 or 3 layers, the hydrophobic layer on the gas side pref. consisting of PTFE.
Access of atmospheric O2 to the title electrodes is reduced and their oxidn. minimised by coating them with a soln. of an organosilicone polymer of the type VN-30 in toluene and drying at 200 degrees C, whereupon the polymer hardens, forming a corrosion resistant skin adhering well to the support. The coating can be renewed every 2-3 months. The coating withstands temps. up to 500 degrees C and the working life of the electrode is increased by 50%.
Cell consists of a light metal anode e.g., Li, Na, Ca, Mg, Al or an alloy of these, a cathode with sulphur as the active component and an electrolyte soln. or methyl chlorocarbonate or a mixt. of it with a non-aq. solvent e.g., propylene carbonate or gamma-butyrolactone which improves the efficiency of the sulphur.
Cell consists of an anode of a light metal e.g., Li, Na, Ca, Mg or an alloy of these, a cathode of solid carbon fluoride and an electrolyte of aluminium chloride, aluminium lithium tetrachloride, lithium borofluoride, lithium perchlorate or sodium perchloride with nitromethane solvent. Cell has high efficiency discharge voltage.
Cell using an anode of an active material of alkali(ne earth) metals or light metals, a non-aq. electrolyte of a potassium phosphate hexafluoride dissolved in a non-aq. solvent, pref. propylene carbonate conc., pref. from 0.5 mol./l. to 2.0 mol.-/l, and a cathode of an active material of a solid carbon fluoride, this permits discharge under a high current density &gt;100 mA/cm2.
Cell comprises an anode of an active material of alkaline (earth) metals or light metals, a non-aq. electrolyte of lithium borofluoride dissolved in a non-aq. solvent, conc. pref. from 0.7 m/l. to 1.2 mol./l. The lithium borofluoride acts as a wetting agent for the carbon fluoride cathode, and a cathode of an active material of solid carbon fluoride; this permits discharge under a high current density (&gt;10mA/cm2).
Title cell comprises an anode of an active material of alkaline (earth) metals or light metals, a non-aq. electrolyte and a cathode of an active material made from finely divided fluorinated carbon powder.
A cell, comprising a non-aq. electrolyte and an anode active material of alkaline (earth) metals or light metals has a cathode made by fluorinating carbon particles, finely dividing the fluorinated carbon particles and sepg. carbon fluoride particles which are then used to form the cathode. Cell discharge capacity is improved.
A plastics case, pref. of polypropylene, is produced with two holes near the top end on one side. Each hole has a raised flange on the outside of the case and this flange has circumferential grooves and radial projections round it. Pb or Pb-Sb alloy is cast into the hole and flange to form a circular boss on the outside of the case, backed by a flat plate inside. During casting which only takes a few sec, the molten metal fuses with the grooves and projections on the plastics flange to form a secure water-tight joint. A metal nut with internal thread is embedded in the Pb to form a connection for a lead when the battery is in use. The backing plate inside the battery has a raised portion used for connecting up with the plates inside. The mould has an overflow pocket and casting is stopped when this is full. The heat input is thereby controlled and damage to the plastics avoided.
Anode comprises a conductive support of metallic (sheet) material and a carbon pref. graphite lining conductively attached to a support surfae which is shaped so that the lining surface opposite the support has the required configuration. The metallic material can be Cu, Al, Ti, metallic alloy etc. Pref. the lining is attached to the support using conducting adhesive.
An aq soln. of partially reticulated polymer (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol) is mixed in the presence of a catalyst with an element (e.g. dimethylolurea) which provides an aldehyde group to further reticulate the polymer to 5-20%, one part of this mixt. is added to 20-50 pts. of an aq. metal (e.g. Zn, Cd, Ni) salt (e.g. halide, acetate, nitrate, chlorate) soln. at 50-110 degrees C. The mixt. is run into a mould around a conductive chemically inert support (e.g. a metallic grill) such that the mixt. covers a part of the support and the mould temp. is reduced to is not &gt;-20 degrees C. The assembly is removed from the mould and washed with alkaline soln. satd. with an oxide of the metal and with water before being added dried at 20-60 degrees C. Finally the assembly is compressed at 2-10 bars/cm2. The electrodes have good electrochemical and mechanical props. and the risk of forming a short circuit during production is reduced.
The battery jar and cap (through while the electrolyte may be poured) are made of polypropylene or a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. Their surfaces of contact are coated with chlorinated polypropylene (of chlorination degree 20-40%) dissolved in toluene, and epoxy resin is used as binder, resulting in a firmly sealed jar. Bonding force between surfaces =75-130 kg/cm2.
Title matl. is prepd. by (1) bonding fibres with a paste consisting of CMC-NH4 salt to form a fibre formation, and (2) heating the fibre formation to change -NH4 of the paste to -H, at 70-180 degrees C. The CMC contg. -COOH radicals is waterproof.
The separator, which has good resistance to acid and alkali and low electrical resistance is prepd. by (1) mixing fine particles oxidn- and acid-proof thermoplastic resin (e.g. polyethylene, PVC) with foaming agent and solvent to form a paste, (2) forming a sheet from the paste which is then heated or pressed to activate foaming and (3) fusing the particles together.
The cell comprises a light metal anode pref. of Li, Mg or Al, a sulphur contg. cathode, an org. electrolyte contg. a dissolved inorg. salt and an ion exchange membrane harmer comprising a cross linked polystyrene polymer. The cell has improved shelf life and utilisation efficiency.
The edges of the separator are moulded into the battery case and its faces are coated with the active positive and negative masses. Of the twin foils, that on the positive side, and opt. that also on the negative, are of Pb (IV)-oxide as conductor with 3-30 wt.% binder, esp. PTFE. Alternatively the negative side foil is of graphite conductor in poly-isobutylene binder. Electrode has longer life than with graphite conductive loading throughout, due to elimination of electro-chemical oxidn. of the graphite.
Gas vent for a lead storage battery is characterised in that a porous substance, which is a part of the vent, has a water-repellant film formed over the surface by binding polycarbon monofluoride fine grains with the surface using silicon resin.
Electric cell is constructed of a cathode whose active material consists of a light metal such as lithium, sodium, magnesium, aluminium or alloys predominantly composed of any of these metals, an anode using a metal oxide or metal halogenide or carbon halogenide as its active material, a semi-solid gelled non-aq. electrolyted formed over the surface of the cathode, and an aq. electrolyte soln.
The elastomer binder is of the type that can be vulvanized or cross-linked esp an elastomer mixed polymer of ethylene and propylene or a butyl rubber or a mixt thereof. W.r.t. wt of binder, 80-300% of conductive carbon black is added in addn to the vulcanization or cross linking promoter. The elastmeris esp EPM or EPDM. Metal powder or fibres may be used to enhance conductivity. The elastomer may be modified with up to 50%, esp up to 20% of plastic or thermosetting plastics material. Moulding matt is light weight.
A gas impervious electrically and thermally conductive plate for acid electrolyte fuel cell use comprises a moulded structure of 85-95 wt.% graphite and 5-15 wt.% vinylidene fluoride. Leadily moulded into complex shapes, with satisfactory strength, toughness and corrosion resistance.
The separator is impregnated by forming a paste consisting of 1-2 wt.% binder (methyl cellulose) of low degree of polymerisation, 35-45 wt.% starch, water, and NH4Cl, coating the paste on one surface of a kraft paper, drying and sepg. the anode Zn can and a cathode mixt. with the Kraft paper to form a dry cell. The degree of polymerisation of the methyl cellulose is 300-320.
The seal is composed in wt. % of 20-70 polypropylene and 30-80 polyethylene and is used typically in air cells, Leclanche cells, or alkaline batteries.
Material is used for sealing the vents of cells and batteries e.g. alkaline batteries, Leclanche-type cells and air cells. Ethylene-contg. polypropylene copolymer has the regularity of propylene chain disturbed by ethylene monomer and prodn. of propylene crystals is controlled so that the copolymer may become amorphous and, provide a packing material having a rubbery elasticity and also an excellent low-temp. characteristics e.g. stress, cracking folding fatigue etc.
Cell is constructed thus: a moulded cathode cpd. coated with MnO2 film stands inserted in the external case of the cell. Upon the coated cathode cpd. are placed in order on top of each other, a cellulose separator an electrolyte-impregnated cotton felt, a plate forming the anode, and a vent-sealing plate, the peripheral portion of which is fitted with a sealing ring of e.g. rubber in order to seal the vent by curling the outer peripheral portion of the case. The MnO2 film is formed when the cathode cpd. is coated with a soln. prepd. by mixing 100-200g MnO2 with e.g. 1 l of 5% polyvinyl alcohol soln. Advantage of using MnO2 are that the separator is hardly corroded by silver oxide during storage of the cell because of its contact with MnO2, and that the lower solubility of MnO2 in alkaline electrolyte compared with silver oxide stabilises the cell's preservability even more and also that the terminal voltage does not differ from that of the conventional cell due to similar potentials for Ag and Mn oxides.
Electric cell is made by first constructing a container-less cell consisting of active cathode material, active anode material and an electrolyte layer, and then forming the container around the cell components by use of resin layers, the manufacturing process being characterised in that microcapsules contg. a mixt. of water-contg. capsules and solid electrolyte, or else liquid electrolyte are used as the main constituent material of the electrolyte layer, and that water-contg. microcapsules are mixed in the active anode material without any solid or liquid electrolyte coexisting with the material.
High energy density, high voltage, long shelf-life cell has a positive electrode of (di) chromate of Ag, Cu, Fe, Co, Ni, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, or their mixtures, a negative electrode of Li, Na, K, Ca, Be, Mg or Al, and an electrolyte of THF, Ni-nitroso-dimethylamine, diethyl sulphite, propylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, dimethul carbonate, dimethoxy ethane, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulphoxide, N,N-dimethyl formamide, methyl formate, butyl formate and mixtures of these 1 salt of the above light metals.
The soft plastic substance overflowing on one side of the heated weld zone is pressed by a longitudinally displacing solid part into a recessed area in the first wall in the weld zone. Pref. a rigid upsetting part is pressed against the first wall than displaced in a uniform longitudinal movement w.r.t. to it. The method is esp. used to weld an accumulator lid and container together.
The particles pref. have a cross-linked polymer layer surrounded by a polar graft copolymer layer, and 30 wt.% are &lt;100 mu dia. Pref. the same thermoplastic is used for the base of the graft copolymer and for the cross-linked layer, if present, and is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, PTFE, partially fluorinated or chlorinated polyolefines, or polyamides. The grafting monomer is pref. (meth)acrylic acid or amide, or other carboxylic acid with C=C bonds. The separators are suitable for preventing transport of certain metal ions, which are reversibly formed during charge-discharge cycles, while allowing passage of the current-carrying ions. Grafting of monomer in silv. is eliminated.
Use of the polypropylene/diatomite mixture in 0.5-1.0 wt % amounts instead of asbestos or glass wool, extends the working life of the electrode and reduces material losses. Loss of the active material on cutting the electrodes and during the assembly is minimised, glass wool separators need no longer be used inside the cell and the cathodes are lighter while retaining the same capacity.
Depolarizer material is mixed with a polymer binder esp an emulsion of fluorided-carbon polymer, and pressed either in a matrix-type tool or between rollers to produce a flat plate cathode blank. A textured or embossed surface is produced on 1 face by the interposition between the mixt. and the tool(s) of 1 piece of woven textile or mesh material. After releasing pressure, this interface material is removed and the plate heat treated to decompose the emulsion and cure the polymer binder. Process provides a simple method of increasing effective surface area and reducing cell internal resistance.
The polymer particles consist of a core of thermoplastic material surrounded by a cross-linked polymer layer and an outer graft copolymer layer. Articles made from the powders by heating to the softening temp., moulding and cooling, on subsequent heating to below the softening temp. revert to their original particle form. At least 30 wt.% pref. almost all, the particles are less than 100 mu in dia. The same thermoplastic, e.g. PE, PP, PTFE, partially fluorinated polyolefin, partially chlorinated polyolefin, or polyamide, pref. forms the core, cross-linked layer and base of the grafted layer. The graft monomer is pref. (meth)acrylic acid or amide, or other carboxylic acid with C=C bonds. The powders can be recovered from waste contg. products made from them, by heating and separating the powder. Moulding can be made in which the boundary surfaces between particles from a medium for transport of fluids, ions or non-condensed gases, e.g. in battery or accumulator separators.
Dry cell separator comprises a 51-178 mu thick reticulated polyacrylamide gel supported on a non woven glass fibre cloth 25.4-76.2 mu thick immobilised by filling with a mineral silicate powder such as talc, asbestos or fibrous talc and incorporating a chromium cpd. in which the chromium has valency other than +3.
In preparing on an elongated supporting surface a laminated strip of several layers of metal fibres an initial thin layer of loose metal fibres disposed parallel to each other and at 15 degrees to the lengthwise direction are applied to the support and then a further layer is applied with the fibres thereof at 15 degrees to the fibres of the first layer.
PVA is crosslinked with 40 wt.% epichlorohydrin and moulded into a sheet with a heating step. It is used esp. in an accumulator having Ni anode and Ni-Cu-CdO cathode and swells only in widthwise direction.
Zinc can for cell has a resin coating on its outer surface formed by spraying and heat treatment. The resin may be epoxy, acryl, fluoro etc. The cell has increased discharge life, e.g. ca 25%.
Zinc chloride is the main electrolytic ingredient of the cell's cathode cpd. and the cell electrolyte is gelled using 1 substance chosen from among impalpably powdered montmor illonite, impalpably powdered synthetic silico, and very finely settled calcium carbonate, the substance being either composed singly of itself or mixed with an organic viscosity increasing agent. In this way the 'pasty electrolyte' in dry cell having ZnCl2 as the main electrolyte, is not allowed to fluidize and thus the time of continuous discharge is improved.
Electrode comprising manganese dioxide, graphite and 0.5-5 % organic polymer insoluble in aq. medium as binder is made by moulding the mixt. by compression. Pref. polymer is polyisobutylene and it is added in aq. dispersion. Each particle is partly covered with a thin film of organic polymer, while not inhibiting electrical conduction and yet providing a suitably hydrophobic surface for introduction to an aq. electrolyte.
Formerly, metals and interposed insulators have served as separating and sealing means for electric element arrangements. In a system including an electric element, positive and negative electrodes and an organic electrolyte, provided with a sealing cover having an elasticated portion, the elasticated portion can induce a chemical reaction under the influence of the electrolyte; and its surround can be pushed together, it is inert to chemical reaction and prevents contact between electrolyte and elasticated portion.
Nickel powder of &lt;270 mesh (Tyler) is adjusted to a nickel oxide content of 0.7-1.4 wt.%, formed to a slurry, moulded, heated to drive off the liquid medium, and sintered in reducing atmosphere, pref. H2. The oxide content may be adjusted by a addn. of freshly pptd nickel hydroxide which is then thermally decomposed, while the liquid medium may contain an organic binder, esp. an alkali metal salt of CMC or an ammonium salt of CMC or of a hydroxy alkyl cellulose.
Providing a sealed conductive link through a thermoplastic partition separating the terminal plates of adjacent cells by providing an oversize hole through the partition, machining clearances into the opposing faces of the terminal plates and/or the surfaces of the partition adjacent to the hole, linking the terminals by metal conductor and then flooding the clearances around the conductor with a resin melt similar to or compatible with the partition material. Pref. for accumulator casings with partitions made of polymers or copolymers of ethylene and propylene. Formation of leakproof internal connections avoids need for external connectors between electrodes extended through the top of the casing, reduces amt./weight/cost of terminal material (Pb).
A mould for making hollow objects, esp. battery casings, of plastics comprises a number of core pieces to constitute the individual cells of the battery, each core piece having a fixing head outside the region of the moulding itself. These fixing heads have parallel, plane faces, so that all the heads of the core pieces can be clamped together in a press, while their plane parallel faces are in firm mutual contact, at least in the central regions, pref. over their entire width and depth.
A leak resistant dry cell comprises (a) a sealed casing, (b) a thin walled Zn sleeve or esp. cannister electrode, with the Zn being totally consumed when the cell voltage drops below its useful value and the depolariser becomes ineffective in preventing H2 escape, thus preventing H2 generation beyond this point, (c) a C electrode within a and insulated from the Zn electrode, (d) a paste of depolariser and electrolyte soln., the soln. comprising H2O, ZnCl2, and NH4Cl in amts. preventing Zn formation of Zn(NH3)2Cl2 on the Zn electrode, positioned between the electrodes with the Zn electrode not extending above the the paste and (e) anode and cathode terminals outside the casing and connected to the respective electrodes.
The life of the anode paste is increased and its applications widened by using an aqs suspension of polyphosoethylene resin. The aqueous suspension polyfmoroethyglene resin e.g. guide is the product of drop polymerisation of tetetrafmoroethylene in water. A surfactant is added in order to improve the monomer emulsification and after polymerisation it retains the polymer granules in suspension. The granule size does not exceede 0.5 mu. Grains are elastic and sticky, and coagulate into a homogeneous sticky mass if the stabilising substance is destroyed. The polymer is insoluble in any solvent, is chemically highly stable resistant to action of acids, alkali and organic solvents.
The plate-separator unit consists of a self-supporting insulating bond (sintered PVC or rubber) with thicker outer rims. A metal grid of pure PB or with a small (0.05-0.1%) content of Ca is arranged in the central recess inside the rim and coated with active plate material (lead oxide paste).
Electrodes comprises a coherent porous body of particles of an electrical conductor which is inert wrt. the electrolyte, and a resinous binder also inert to the electrolyte mixed with a catalyst, having on the gas entry side a hydrophobic stop layer comprising a mat of fibres connected together and to very high mol. wt. (&gt;1,750,000) polyethylene particles having a fluidity index when hot approaching 0.02. The electrode is not subject to transpiration or weeping of the electrolyte when the cell is hot.
The lead accumulator has a trilaminar separator consisting of glass felt, a micro-porous separator and a synthetic-fibre envelope e.g. of Lavsan. To increase capacity, the ratio of thicknesses of layers and threads of the glass felt and the fibre of the envelope are 0.9-1.1 and 0.5-0.76 respectively. Envelope of synthetic fibre is fitted on positive electrode and glass-felf separator. Top cap is glued on overlapping, covering the edge of the electrode and the glass felt and leaving aperture for the lead. Several apertures are made in the cap Micro-porous separator is set with its ribs to positive electrode. THe ratio of thickness of the layers of glass felt and envelope materila is 0.9-1.1. with thickness of glass-felt layer 0.45-0.8mm. and thickness of envelope material 0.5-0.7mm.
In making a separator by cutting a PVC film, the film is treated as follows. The stretched film is first rolled between smooth rollers at 15-25 degrees C, wound up in a roll, kept for an hour in water at 95-98 degrees C and passed through a furnace for heating to 80-90 degrees C. Corrugation is done with rollers heated to 90-100 C, and holding for 1 hour at 70-80 degrees C after water cooling. This improves heat resistance and prevents settling. After rolling, winding and standing in water, the film is passed through the furnace, where it is heated to 80-90 degrees C. The heated film is rolled between corrugated rollers heated to 90-100 degrees C. On coming out of the rollers, the film is cooled by a jet of water at 10-20 degrees C. The water is fed as a curtain, the width of the film along the tray. A guard protects the upper roller from the water, and the tray gives some protection to the lower roller. The film is then fed to a vessel of water at 70-80 degrees C straight from the rollers, or is wound into a roll and thus immersed for 1 hour in water at 70-80 degrees C.
The process is improved in that the active paste is applied onto the electrode plate, densified and dried, and only then the plate is immersed for 10-60 secs. in a sodium carboxymethylcellulose (3-20 g./l.) at 15-20 degrees C. This method is superior to the conventional introduction of the foam stabiliser into the active paste because of a better utilisation of the foam stabiliser. The mechanical strength of the plate is also improved because of the glueing properties of sodium carboxymethylcellulose.
Positive electrode of a wet air cell is made by plunging a mixt. of activated carbon powder and binding agent onto a protective bottom plate mounted on a lower metallic mould which blocks the lower opening of an external metallic mould, inserting an upper metallic mould into the interior of the external metallic mould from above for moulding the mixt. to shape, and then forwarding the moulded positive electrode remaining on the protective bottom plate to the next work place where it is dried.
The electrode comprises a layer of C powder bonded by a copolymer powder of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene and a porous fluorocarbon resin layer consisting of PTFE fibres attached to the gas supply side of the bonded C layer. A solution of the copolymsn. and C powder may be coated on one face of the preformed fluorocarbon resin film. Used in fuel and air cells. The electrode produces a high current density discharge for an extended time, is easily produced, is thin and therefore small cells can be made.
The electrode is made by (1) coating mixture of fine powdered iron oxide and fine powdered fluorethylene resin or fluoroethylene resin emulsion on a surface of an oxidizing electrode, facing the electrolyte, and (2) heating to approx. the m.pt. of the resin to form a porous insulating layer on the surface. The layer has ion permeable properties.
Carrier such as alumina is impregnated with PTFE resin dispersion, dried, impregnated with a soln. of a catalyst such as Pt, Pd etc. and heat treated in H2 to give a catalyst with improved activity and water resistance and is useful as a catalytic gas adsorber for fuel cells.
The electrode comprises a carbon coated metallic powder bound to a metallic grid by an org. polymer. The powder is a base metal catalyst selected from nickel, cobalt and iron and the org. polymer is PTFE, although the description discloses other polymeric binders.
The electrode is made by baking a mixture of carbon black contg. carbon material, activating agent and binding agent and activated the mixture. A binding agent carbon black is then added to this and compression moulded to shape. Used also for air/metal cells, electrochemical devices in oxygen refining etc.
The electrode is provided on the surface with liquid permeable protective layer which consists of an electrolyte-proof powder and a binding agent.
The electrode is provided. on the surface with a liquid-permeable protective layer, which consists of an electrolyte proof synthetic resin powder deposited by heat treatment on the electrode surface.
The lubricant is made by spraying tetrafluoro-ethylene resin the the form of a soln., obtainable by dissolving tetrafluoroethylene resin in a solvent such as freon, over a powder of natural starch such as corn starch, rice starch, wheat starch, potato starch or sweet potato starch, or a cellulose deriv. such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or hydroxyethylcellulose, and then drying it out. The lubricant attached to the cans is water-soluble and also swellable, by or dissolving in, the electrolyte. Furthermore, the cans have a lustrous appearance and, in addition, the life of the dye (used for extrusion) can be considerably prolonged.
A water-soluble or water-swellable paste material is added to a solvent partly dissolving it, and then coating the resultant liquid over a piece of fibre product which has been wetted beforehand by a liquid indentical with or mutually soluble in the solvent. The paste. materials includes alkyl-cellulose ether, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol acrylic acid ester, etc. for example. The solvents are methanol, ethanol, toluene, benzene, acetone, methylene chloride, methyl chlorate.
The punch is forced through the bracket into engagement with the casing wall, so as to form a fused spot weld between the two. Pref. the punch is held in active penetrated postion for a suitable time of 0.4-0.8 (0.5) secs. and de-energized to allow the weld to set before removal. Penetrating pressure e.g. in a manually operated rack and pinion geared stand tool, is about 30-60 (40) lbs/sq. in. Difficulties with adhesive bonding are avoided, as well as the costly technique of butt welding which is best applied to fabrication of the casing itself.
In the cell, a seal of hydrophobic material pref. PTFE is interposed at least between one end of the tubular cathode and an end cap located at the end of a tubular anode conting electrolyte. Specif. seals are formed at each end of the cathode by folding over the edges of a hydrophobic membrane, which extends over the outer surface of the cathode, over the ends of the cathode.
A lead sleeve or bush, for each terminal is precast into the accumulator case lid and retained by a peripheral flange. Elongated terminal port from the plate assembly passes through the bush and the two are fusion welded by HF or MF induction heating whilst a mould tool is placed around the exterior of the bush. This tool is in the form of a sheath which is left in position as protection for the lead after being used as a mould. It is of thermoplastic but heat cured plastic material esp. polyethylene, polystyrene or polypropylene. Reduced prodn. cost is achieved by eliminating stripping of tool.
Air electrode-separator unit is continuously produced by sintering or glueing together both components. The separator consists of a highly porous absorptive, chemically inert material; pref. it is a PVC microseparator and contains a hygroscopic substance. By this method, firm linkage is formed between the air electrode and the separator. Good wetting of the electrode is ensured; access of air to the zinc anode is prevented; evaporation of water from the electrolyte is suppressed.
Air-depolarised galvanic cell is rendered leakproof by placing in the air space behind the porous carbon cathode an air-permeable, absorptive material (pref. a perforated PVC microseparator) capable of absorbing the alkaline electrolyte forced into the air space through the porous carbon cathode by pressure developing in the space between the electrodes when the cell is in use; the leakage of the electrolyte outside the cell is prevented by a layer of a porous hydrophobic material such as carbon bound with PTFE. A highly porous hydrophobic thermoplastic material can be placed between the absorptive material and the hydrophobic plate.    Thus, safe sealing is produced at a relatively low cost.
Title battery has a No. of positive plates of planar confign., having interposed between a No. of wedge-shaped negative plates and a separator system including a highly adsorbent matl. (pref. polypropylene or cellulosic matl.) contiguous with the plates surfaces and multiple semipermeable membranes (I) interposed there between, (I) pref. being of regenerated cellulose sheeting or irradiated polyethylene.
Solvents are removed from plastic (e.g. PVC) half-finished materials, e.g. for the mfre. of separators for accumulators, by water-washing and steaming out at 70-100 degrees C before and after the washing. This simplifies the process and improves the quality of the prods.    A half-finished polymer material is passed into a cold-water bath for 10 min., where it hardens. Then it is treated in a steam chamber with steam-air mixt. at 70-80 degrees C for 15-30 min. to drive off the solvent, and subsequently sprayed with water at 55-65 degrees C for 5-10 min. to prevent shrinkage. Finally the material is steamed again at 80-100 degrees C for 15-30 min. to complete the solvent removal. The steam and solvent vapours for both chambers are condensed to recover the solvent. In an example this treatment was applied to a compsn. contg. (pts. wt.) polyvinyl chloride 1, starch 4.5-5.5 and cyclohexane 1.82-2.
Mfr. of a uniform and strong air transmissive fine porous sheet with ave. pore diameter &lt;1 mu comprises flowing a polymer soln. with polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer polystyrene polymer, solvent and non-solvent as the main ingredient, alone in a board state or sticking the soln. on a porous base body to form a sheet, coagulating the polymer soln. by reducing pressure to such extent that volatile ingredients in the polymer soln do not boil, and then removing the volatile ingredients.
Mfre. of a gas diffusion electrode comprises successively placing a porous metal plate, a mixt. consisting of carbon and a binder, and a mixt. consisting of inactive (against fuel), electrolyte resisting powdery material and a binder on a water repellent porous sheet, and pressing these materials at a desired pressure.
Title lubricant contains any cellulose deriv. such as CMC (m)ethyl cellulose and hydroxy cellulose. The derivs. withstand the processing temp. and also prolong the life of the dies employed.
Method comprises filling a periphery of a unit cell with a resin, the cell consisting of a cathode active material of iodine, a metal anode for producing iodide in contact with the iodine, and microcapsules each contng. a required amt. of water, pressing the resin breaks the microcapsules, thus forming a circuit.
Cell comprises an I2 cathode, a metal anode contacting the I2 to produce iodide and microcapsules of water having pin-holes. I2 powder, powdered C, a binder of powdered F-contng. resin, and polyphthalamide microcapsules each contng. a desired amt. of water and having pin-holes are mixed to produce a cathode mixture. Mg powder is mixed with a binder of powdered F-contng. resin to produce an anode mixture. These mixtures are then pressed at a pressure of 200 kg.cm.-2 which is lower than the breaking pressure of each microcapsule, so that a unit cell having 5 mm. dia. can be obtd. The total amt. of water contained in the capsules is 0.05 pbw. to 1 pbw. I2. Then the cell is moulded with a resin to complete a cell or battery.
Battery has a high discharge stability and comprises an active cathode material of iodine, an active anode of a metal for producing iodide in contact with the iodine, and steam permeable microcapsules contng. water. On pressing the cell in a mould the microcapsules rupture, releasing water and forming a circuit.
Battery comprises an iodine cathode and a metal anode producing iodide when contacted with the I2, and a hygroscopic material, e.g. CaCl2, MgCl2, CaBr2, CaO etc. In an example, 2 wt.% MgCl2 and a binder are mixed with powdered I2 to produce a cathode. Mg powder and binder form the anode. The mixts. are pressed at 3 ton.cm-2. to obtain a cell having 5 mm. dia. and Ni wires are incorporated. Battery has good discharge props.
A powdered electrical conductor is added to a Co-Ni salts soln., treated with alkali, washed dried, and reduced in a reducing atmos. In an example, Ni(NO3)2 1530 g and Co(NO3)2 170 g were stirred with 600 ml H2O at 90 degrees C for 90 min mixed with 170 g each of activated C and graphite, and then with 11. 10% KOH, washed with H2O after 2 hr. until pH of the washing became 7-7.5, dried at is approx. 60 degrees C, powdered to pass 48 mesh, reduced at 300 degrees C for 2 hr. in H, treated with fluorine resin soln., powdered and pressed into an electrode form with a suitable binder. It was effective as a Pt electrode, but much cheaper, i.e. is approx. 1/25.
The casing consists of a main housing and a cover with aligned cell partitions flush with the edges of the housing. The edges of the partions on one or both parts have thickened ribs. The ribs e.g. on the main housing only, being about twice the normal partition wall thickness. These ribs avoid risk of inter cell leakage owing to any warping which occurs in 'mirror welding' the housing and cover together where the material is polyethylene, polypropylene or e.g. fibre reinforced resin.
Title cell contains zinc as an anode active material, an alkaline aqs. soln as electrolyte and an electrolyte-regenerating agent. Coarse particles of calcium hydroxide or a mixt. of calcium hydroxide or a mixt. of calcium hydroxide and cotton or pulp are used as an electrolyte-regenerating agent, the coarse particles of the electrolyte-regenerating agent being produced by adding an alkali-resistant binder to the calcium hydroxide or the mixt. of calcium hydroxide and cotton or pulp. As above binder, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol or soda silicate may be used.
A composite separator for an alkaline cell comprises a semipermeable membrane sandwiched between two bisubsus layers, the edges of the membrane being supported by non-overlapping extensions on teh bisuloins layers or by non-bisulous regions at the edges of the bibulous layers. For Ni-Cd, Ni-Zn, Ag-Zn and HmO2-Zn cells. The membrane edges are supported while dendritic growths are prevented.
The proposed method, gives electrodes of higher mechan. strength uses an electric field strength of 25-50 V/cm, a dispersion composed of Ni hydrotide (I): isopropanol:polyvinylbutyral (II)=1:2-3:0.003-0.005. (I) is prepd. from mixing solns. (at 45-50 degrees C) of Ni sulphate (s.g. 1.16-1.17) and KOH (s.g. 1.29), washing the sediment with distilled water at 50 degrees C, drying at 120-140 degrees C and milling in isopropanol 5 hrs. and homogenizing 2-5 mins.
The title electrode has improved electrical characteristics, it is made of a mixt. of CdO, Ni(OH2) and Na carboxymethylcellulose soln. pH 9-15. The use of the alkaline soln. improves the strength of rolled electrodes and stabilizes accumulator capacity on repeated charging and discharging.
A battery jar contains a fuel electrode consisting of hydrazine, and oxidising electrode contg air, and an electrolyte contg fuel.    The electrodes sepd by a separator. Efficiency of fuel use and potential of the oxidising electrode decrease when the active fuel such as hydrazine or hydrogen, comes into contact with the oxidising electrode. The object is to form a fuel restraining layer preventing the contact of the fuel and the electrode, and comprises the steps of (1) forming a waterproof layer on an electrode base preventing permeation of emulsion, (2) forming a fuel restraining layer consisting of acid proof oxide powder of nickel oxide and emulsion of fluoride resin on the waterproof layer, (3) heating the fuel restraining layer and (4) forming a catalyst layer on the waterproof layer.
Method of making a fuel cell electrode in which battery jar contains a fuel electrode consisting of hydrazine, an oxidising electrode contg air, and an electrolyte contg fuel. The electrodes sepd by a separator. Efficiency of the fuel use and potential of the oxidising electrode decrease when the active fuel, such as hydrazine or hydrogen comes into contact with the oxidising electrode. The fuel electrodes have no activator, and comprise porous high polymer material, such as polyethylene, PVC, and metal plating layer formed on the material. Object is to improve conductivity of the electrodes. The method comprises the steps of (1) providing an insulating porous base, (2) forming a chemical-plating layer on the porous base, (3) forming an electro-plating layer on the chemical-plating layer, (4) educing metal black on the electro-plating layer, and (5) forming a catalyst layer on the base. The base consists of PVC. The plating layers are made of Ni. The metal black is made from soln of NiCl2, CuCl, FeCl2 and SbCl3. A catalyst of Pd is added in the plating layers.
Method of producing the electrode comprises (1) mixing a C powder and a nonconductive powder, e.g. polyethylene, PVC, or polypropylene, (2) pressing and sintering the mixt to form a porous body, (3) plating the porous body with e.g. Ni and (4) filling activator e.g. Ni(OH)2 in the porous body. Electrode obtd. has high efficiency of discharge.
Title cell comprises a C rod cathode having a coating (ca 50 mu thick) consisting of an electrolyte-proof substance e.g. bakelite, polyvinyl acetate, urea resin, nylon, polyethylene, polybutene, silicone, polystyrene, PVC, or copolymerised resin of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyfluorovinylidene, tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, formed in the three-boundary portion of the carbon rod where the rod comes into contact with the cathode cpd and the air in an air chamber. Present cell is claimed to have better resistance against cathode cap corrosion.
Method comprises constructing a cell or battery without any container of its own previously made but consisting of its constructing material including at least, positive and negative electrodes and microcapsule contg. electrolyte soln, placing the cell or battery of the above form in a mould where to mould its container, filling the spaces surrounding the cell or battery, under press. with a resin powdered or made fluid enough to prevent itself from finding its way into the cell or battery; and binding together or solidifying the resin so that it may form the container.
Method comprises adding impalpably fine powder of a heat-contractive org. substance to powdered active material, compression moulding the mixed powder into shape, and then heat treating the moulding so that the heat-contractive org. substance in fine powder form may become very porous by heat contraction. In an example, the heat-contractive org. substance in powder from was prepd by mixing together 80-90% by wt of silver oxide, 10-20% by wt of graphite, 0.1-1% by wt of impalpable polyethylene powder. This mixed powder, after well kneaded, was moulded by compression into the prescribed form. The moulded powder or cpd was heated to 600 degrees C when the polyethylene powder in the cpd heat contracted and at the same time was carbonised. In addn. to polyethylene, fluorinated resin polystyrol, polyvinyl chloride, etc. are used as heat-contractive org. substances.
The cell case is in two halves of metal, esp. shallow rectangular cups with plane, parallel peripheral flanges. These are coated on the inner faces with thermoplastic material esp. PVC and the cell is sealed by clamping the coating together for plastic welding using hot jets of inert gas, ultrasonic energy or h.f. dielectric heating. The two halves of the case are esp. the electrodes of the cell and remain electrically insulated after sealing. The sealing is cheap, simple and reliable.
Rechargeable electrochemical device consists of thin, adjacent, solid layers in the following sequence of (I) a catholyte providing animo forming a salt with a Li salt, and (III) a separator consisting of a Li salt and a material with a solid structure, produced by (a) dissolving the Li salt and the org. binder which is polyvinyl formal, (I) in propylene carbonate, (b) impregnating a porous solid layer with the soln, and (c) drying the impregnated layer so that the Li salt remains at least partly solvated by the solvent, and the material with the solid structure is formed by the porous layer and the binder. Combination of (I) and propylene carbonate gives excellent mechanical and electrical props.
The electrode comprises an electronically conducting core, a current collector, a layer of active material surrounding the core and consisting of an agglomerate of 10-70 wt.% catalyst grains and binder particles, and a porous barrier layer assuring the diffusion of electrolyte towards the active layer as well as ionic counter-diffusion of the reaction prods. The binder comprises 30-80 wt.% hydrophobic material (pref. PTFE of polymsn. degree 10) and 10-40 wt.% org. medium (pref. acrylonitrile-butadiene latex).
The electrodes consist of C inclusions, of which 60-100% are (partly) graphitised C (I) and 0-40% ungraphitised petroleum coke (II), bonded with 5-25 pts. carbonised matrix/100 pts. (I) + (II) from a cured phenoaldehyde novolak (III) the mean surface hardness after firing in vacuum being at least that of the electrode before carbonisation of (III): The electrodes can be made into complex shapes for use in electro- (spark) erosion electrode. The surface is hard and not oxidised.
The double walled tube of circulra, oval or polygonal cross-section has an outer tube of heat shrinking synthetic fibres laminated under pressure onto an inner fibre glass tube of high chemical resistance whereby both tubes are of woven or nonwoven fabric. Pref. the fibreglass tube is impregnated with phenolic or epoxy resin. The ends of each tube can be waterproofed with phenolic, epoxy or vinyl resin.
Cathodes, also for electrochmecial generators of metal-air type are made by (a) prepg. an intimate dry mixt. contg. 10 - 40 (35) wt. % micronised Ag metal, 20 - 60 (37) wt. % active C powder, having esp. &lt;20 mu particle dia., and 15 - 35 (28) wt. % PTFE powder, having esp. 20 - 100 (40) mu particle dia., and (b) applying this mixt. under 400 kg/cm press. and at 300-450 (370) degrees C onto a metal support, esp. of stainless steel. Water-repellency is pref. improved by coating the free surface of cathode obtd. in (b) with an aq. 20 - 40 (esp. 30) wt. % PTFE dispersion having &lt;1 (0.2 - 0.3) mu grain dia.
Adhesive patches in the form of closed loops are a applied opposite and coextensive with one another or the two sides of a battery sealant carrier which pref. comprises battery separator material, the adhesive penetrating into the carrier and being such that 1, pref. both, of the patches rise above the surface of the carrier. The adhesive applied to the two sides of the acarrier are applied to different viscosities, one applicator being rigid and uncompressible while the other has a deformable elastomeric surface. When assembled into batteries liquid impervious seals are obtd around the electrodes.
A battery including a stack of electric cells surrounded by an insulating cylindrical spacer within an outer housing which is filled with thermo-setting resin such as an epoxy. The spacer has filaments e.g. polypropylene filaments, disposed in two directions with all filaments in one direction co-planar and all filaments in the transverse direction co-planar so that free runways for the resin are provided to permit fast free flow thereof resulting improved leakage prevention.
Microporous lead-acid battery separators consist of glass fibres with a diameter of a few microns bonded at the onset of melting and contg. a coating of granules of a thermosetting resin material in a natural or synthetic latex binder. The products are microporous elements with high mech. strength and pores with a diameter of 1-100 mu and are esp. suitable for the prodn. of lead-acid batteries by automated prodn. techniques. Pref. the bonded glass fibre core is impregnated with a mixture of a P-F resin and urea with a styrene-butadiene latex and the product is heated in an oven to dry the material and to cure the thermosetting resin.
Battery separator consists of a mat of compressed inert polymer with a size &lt;10 mu, the mat being characterised by having (a) a basic wt. of 15.5-61.9 esp. 27.1-50.4 g/cm2 (b) a thickness of 0.25-1.3 esp. 0.51-0.76 mm, (c) a porosity of 40-70 esp 55-60%, (d) a max. pore size of 5-25 esp. 7-20 mu, (e) an electrical resistance of &lt;0.006 esp. 0.003 ohm/cm2 (f) a friction resistance of 50-800 esp. 80-500 cycles, (g) a torsion stiffness of 0.25-1.5 esp. 0.5-0.9 cm/degree, and (h) a solid fraction of 0.3-0.6 esp. 0.4-0.45. The separator is tough, acid and alkali resistant.
Carbon black or graphite is dispersed in a soln. of polyisobutylene in a volatile solvent (pref. xylene-isoamyl acetate mixture), followed by particles of carbon activated with Pd or Ru, or a Cu-Fe-Ag combination. The resulting dispersion is applied onto a perforated metallic support, and the solvent is evaporated. The electrode so-produced has sufficient gas-permeability, but is impermeable to water; it has good catalytic activity and electroconductivity. The cost is relatively low.
Porous metal matrix is impregnated with an aq. dispersion of 0.1-0.5 mu PTFE particles in such a manner that, after the evaporation of water, the pores are partly lined with PTFE and the electrolyte penetrates to a certain depth only (forming convex menisci) and directly contacts the metal where the PTFE lining is absent. Thus deep penetration of the electrolyte into the cathode is prevented, and the latter can work under atmospheric pressure; this is much more convenient then the use of known cathodes which work under press.
Thixotropic compsn comprises (A) a OH-contg. polymer (polyol) and a polymerisation catalyst; and (B) one or more components selected from (a) a system of unsatd polymerisable cpds. (b) a (meth)acrylic acid ester polymer or a copolymer of an acrylic and a methacrylic acid ester; (c) a polyisocyanate forming with (A) a polyaddition system; (d) a polymerisation accelerator. The thixotropy of this system facilitates many applications; glueing covers to accumulator cases is esp. claimed. The prodt is resistant to heat and frost, and to attack by acids.
The negative and positive plates, are buried in a composite wherein powdered thermoplastic synthetic resin, such as polyethylene, polyrpropylene, vinyl chloride, and ABS, are mixed with hydrated silicic acid gel powder; the composite is heated by a satd. steam of 100 degrees C for melting and solidifying it around the element, and the space above the upper face of the block contg. the element is packed with an acid-proof substance to prevent liquid from flowing.
A thin composite electrode is prepd. by (a) positioning an electrically conductive sheet and a counter electrode in a soln. contg. an ionic polymer, a polar solvent and cadmium oxide active material, (b) applying a current across the sheet and counter electrode to deposit a thin layer of polymer and active cadmium oxide on opposite major surfaces of the sheet, (c) curing to remove polymer and retain active material and (d) electrochemically reducing cammium oxide to cadmium. The electrode thickness may be 2-15 mils, and a high discharge rate can be provided, esp. useful for e.g. anodes in batteries for squibs and space vehicles.
At least one wall of the accumulator casing is transparent at microwave frequencies and the other walls are enclosed within a microwave shielding outer case, lined with microwave absorbent material e.g. ferrite or graphite, and thermally lagged externally. Against the transparent wall remaining is a radiator assembly with a microwave source such that the direction of propagation is parallel to the plate assemblies in the cells through which the energy passes. From the main radiator casing a bleed fraction of the microwave energy may be extracted by e.g. directional coupler into a waveguide terminated in a dummy load incorporated in the working fluid circuit of the vehicle heater system proper.
Electrode comprises a heat-treated fluoride resin (I) layer at liq.-side, catalyst (II) at gas-side and non-heated treated fluoride resin at least at catalyst added portion. (II) may be Pt contg. and (I) improves electrolyte leakage resistance. The electrode may be employed in fuel cells, air-metal cells and sealed cells.
Method of prodn. comprises mixing fine powder of unstable glass, obtd. by melting mixt. of silica and alumina and abruptly cooling the melt by plunging it into water, with similar fine powder of natural clay having a layered crystal structure and contg. water between the layers, further mixing the resulting product with a dispersion resin in a solvent, and then baking the final mixed product. Strong sheets is not &gt;0.5 mm thick can be made which do not repel water and have excellent acid and alkali resistance.
Title cell consists of a negative electrode consisting of light metal, a non-aq. org. electrolyte, and a positive electrode composed of an oxyfluoride, of formula MeMOF4 (Me is either Mo or W) as the cell's major components. The light metals, are e.g. Li, Na, Co, Mg, Al or their alloys. The oxyfluoride is prepd. when MoO3 or WO3 is treated with fluorine and gives the positive electrode a high discharge rate.
Electric cell is constructed of a negative electrode of light metal, a positive electrode of copper fluoride, and a non-aq. org. electrolyte, and the electrolyte has LiHF2 (lithium hydrogenfluoride) added to it. The light metal is ny alkali (ne earth) metal, aluminium, etc. The electrolyte has no direct reaction with any of the aforementioned metals.
Fuel cell is of the type generating activated H2 by contacting electrolyte with hydrazine, sodium borohydride etc., and has a porous C oxygen electrode coated with a film of powdered Ni and an ion-exchange binding agent or hydrophilic resin, e.g. PVA; to prolong life of electrode.
The anode consists of netlike woven zinc filaments and has a paste layer and a polyvinyl alcohol film formed over the electrode surface, the film being designed to check movement of paste material forming the paste layer; the cathode opposite the anode is coated with a pasty depolarizer and has an electricity collector, consisting of a metallic foil, e.g. Fe Cu or Al coated with a film, provided on one face of this electrode. All the above cell components are rolled spirally.
A battery shell is moulded from a compsn. contg. a mixt. of high density polyolefin and short glass fibre dispersed in the resin, the fibres comprising &lt;15% of the mixt. and having an av. length which is equal to shorter than the av. thickness of the walls or base of the battery to prevent the infiltration of concd. acid contained in the battery. The fibres are oriented with their axis parallel to the surfaces of the main walls or base. The battery is used in vehicles and is mechanically strong and shock resistant.
Si solar cell module is formed by placing a fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer film on a substrate, e.g. of polyimide film on a heated platen. Si cells are arranged in rows to form an array on the film with metal string arranged between the rows in contact with the upper surface of one row of cells and the lower surface of an adjacent row of cells. The array of solar cells is covered by a second film of fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer a vacuum seal is placed over the second film, a second preheated platen is placed over the vacuum seal, hydraulic pressure applied to the platens and gas pressure applied through the second platen to apply pressure to the assembly and form a laminate contg. the cells.
Flexible thermoplastic sachets contg. quantitative doses of electrolyte constits. for filling accummulators, where the sachets are only partly filled and are sealed by non-linear transverse welds which define a pouring spout when the tip is cut off. Pref. the sachet is made from flexible PVC or polyethylene tubular film and is long enough for one end of the loaded sachet to be dry as it is being sealed or opened, with the spout end uppermost. safe and dry to manipute for loading a single accumulator cell with the appropriate quantity of what may be a hazardous chemical, esp. sulphuric acid. The same oversize: pack may be used to hold various quantities to suit various sizes of cell.
Fuel cell includes an anode having a magnetic core, an electrolyte soln. of iron (II) and (III) chlorides, and a solid cathode having irregular wall surfaces which is of a perforate construction. Specif. the cathode, or each cathode between which the anode is located. comprises a sheet of graphite orthogonally grooved on its opposite surfaces to such depth that a matrix of holes is formed. The anode cone is shielded by graphite strips.
A plating current, proportional to the current provided by the fuel cell, causes platable material of an electrolytic cell to be transferred from the anode to the cathode thereof whereby the platable material on the cathode is proportioned to the ampere-hours that have been expended by the fuel cell. When all of the platable material has been transferred, the voltage of the electrolytic cell rises and a purge cycle is initiated during which not only is the fuel cell purged but the platable material is transferred back to the anode. The purge cycle is digitally controlled.
A fuel cell circuit voltage regulator system includes a pump, energisable, when a predetermined quantity of electricity has been supplied by the cell, to supply fuel from a storage tank to the cell, and an electrically controllable switch in the load circuit of the cell which conducts when a main switch is closed, the duration of energisation of the pump being determined by a monostable flip-flop.
An electrode for a fuel cell is obtd. by pre-treating a fuel electrode to remove a deciduous substance, such as a part of the catalyst contd. in the fuel electrode which is not completely fixed to the electrode, by immersing in a soln. of an electrolyte and a fuel or discharging in the soln., before the fuel electrode contg. the catalyst is mounted in the fuel cell.
A fuel cell, utilising hydrazine as anode reducing agent, air as cathode oxidising agent and caustic potash as electrolyte, is prepd. by welding flexible metallic members to collector plates of electrodes; fixing the flexible metallic members between metallic plates; and moulding the flexible metallic members and metallic plates with a synthetic resin. As soldering of the terminal is avoided no leakage occurs.
A hydrazine fuel cell battery comprising 1 hydrazine anode, 1 oxidant cathode and an electrolyte contg. dissolved hydrazine contacting the electrodes is combined with a device for sensing and controlling the hydrazine concn. in the electrolyte. The device comprises a first, working hydrazine anode through which current flows when the device is operating, a second, reference hydrazine anode and an oxidant cathode, all contacting the hydrazine-contg. electrolyte, a spacer between cathode and first anode to prevent gross contact of hydrazine with the cathode and a load resistance across the first anode and cathode. The potential difference between first and second anodes is measured, and hydrazine is added to the electrolyte in response to potential difference changes.
Fuel cell comprises a fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte, and a gaseous-CO2 separator including a salt tile comprising an admixt. of alkali or alkaline earth oxide and alkali or alkaline earth carbonate. A reform gas is contacted with one surface of the salt tile, where CO2 reacts with the material, and a sweep gas contacts the opposite surface where the reverse reaction occurs and CO2 is swept from the tile, maintaining good partial press. of H2 on the first side. The reform gas passes to the anode after CO2 removal, and the CO2-contg. sweep gas stream may be passed to the cathode to reduce concn. polarisation.
The reaction water is removed from the electrolyte of fuel cell batteries with electrolyte circulation bypassing the electrolyte into an evacuated evaporator space. The evapd. reaction water is taken to a condensn. space which is at a higher pressure where it condenses. The electrolyte cools the condensn. space. The electrolyte space of the fuel cell battery is also kept at a pressure below atmos. The oxygen in the air activates the oxygen electrodes of the cell. This ensures a higher efficiency at working temps. &lt;100 degrees C. The heat losses are now markedly diminished.
A liquid fuel cell battery arrangement has a separate fuel-electrolyte mixt. reservoir for circulating mixt. through each battery, the reservoirs being arranged in cascade with the overflow from one reservoir flowing into the next, and a sensor being provided to detect the concn. of mixt. in one of the circulating systems and control supply of fresh mixt. from an outside source to the first reservoir. For power generation, especially in inaccessible locations, e.g. under water or in a space body.
A fuel cell with one porous electrode through which an oxidizing gas passes, and a second porous electrode through which a fuel gas passes accommodates the electrolyte in an inner cavity filled by a porous fibre separator matrix. This matrix is a self-supporting compressible fibre mat with dispersed and entangled microfibres with a high mol. wt. polyaryl sulphone ether polymer of 0.01-20 mu (0.05-1.5 mu m) dia. The use of such a matrix permits the use of 10 ml thick electrodes without risk of leakage losses. Cells of this design have a longer life and a higher efficiency because the matrix allows working temps. of up to 475 degrees F.
The cell contains Ni electrodes and an alkali-hydroxide electrolyte (pref. 70-85% KOH) for operation at 177-260 degrees C(pref. 235 degrees C) and the spaces between the electrodes is filled with cerium oxide or thorium oxide of grain size 5-100 mu (pref. 20-50 mu). Specif. the porous Ni electrodes have a duplex structure, the coarse-pored section being turned towards the gases and the fine-pored section being in contact with the oxide-filled electrolyte. The cerium- or thiorium- oxide filling produces a satd. soln. of nickel- ate ions in the electrolyte, which impedes the further dissolving of the oxygen-electrode and hence reduces dendritic growth on the fuel-electrode which could possibly short-circuit the electrodes. The result is longer fuel-cell life.
A mixed catalyst consists of two active metals, silver and gold, for electrochemical cells, esp. fuel cells, contg. 10.65 wt.% Ag (based on the total metal content) and 1-20 wt.% Au (based on the silver content), and balance aluminium. The pref. compsn. is, in wt.% 20 Ag, 1 Au, 79 Al. This catalyst eliminates the ageing which occurs with electrodes contg. Raney silver. A fuel cell was made using the Raney Ag/Au mixed catalyst instead of Raney silver, the electrolyte being 6 m KOH at 60 degrees C, covered with paraffin. The initial electrode potential was 800 mV at a current of 1.9 A, the current density being 150 mA/cm2, and the oxygen press. 18 M/cm2 (1.8 Atm). The current was held constant at 1.9 A. and the change in potential, with time, measured. After 1600 hours, the potential had only dropped to 700 mV, whereas in a similar cell using an electrode contg. Raney silver the potential dropped from 800 mV to 350 mV after the same lapse of time.
A circulating fuel reactor comprises anode and cathode compartments sepd. by an ionically conductive membrane and each contg. an electrode, 1 compartment contg. a circulating, catalyst-free liq. inert to the electrode and the compartment material, and a pulverulent solid, liquid or gas capable of reacting with a pulverulent solid, liquid or gas injected into liquid entering the second compartment, 1 electrode being crenellated or channeled.
A regenerative fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack and an electrolysis cell stack having a hydrogen passage between them and oxygen passages on each side, 1 electrode in each stack being formed as or associated with a water storage matrix and the oxygen electrodes of the two stacks being of different materials.    Cell is capable of simultaneous charge and discharge, operable at different charge and discharge voltages, capable of 100% discharge and full recharge, no moving parts, improved performance and lifetime; obviates catalyst migration problems.
A hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell has a circuit for the electrolytic soln. and a circuit for a fuel gas and an oxidising gas. A container is arranged in the outflow section of the electrolytic soln. circuit which has a free liq. level, with an air space over it, and which is situated above the generator cell. A gas cooler in the outflow section of the gas circuit is located at the lower part of the generator cell. This prevents the water produced or leaking gas from accumulating in the chamber contg. the electrolytic soln. The pressure of the produced H2 and/O2 can be used to keep the water in circuit without the necessity of pumps.    It facilitates the maintenance of a constant concn. and temp. of the electrolytic soln.
A fuel cell for implantation in a human body to provide electricity for a prosthetic device implanted in the body comprises two identical sinusoidal cell units within a housing suitable for implantation. Each cell comprises (a) a cathode assembly comprising a cathode support membrance (i) having a sinusoidal folded config., (ii) defining a plurality of inter-connected U-shaped cathode chambers adapted to receive air within the U-shape, (iii) transferring ions between anode and cathode and (iv) bearing catalytic cathode material; (b) a second membrane spaced parallel to the cathode support membrance, defining an anolyte chamber and adapted to separate a blood ultrafiltrate from whole blood and transfer reactive org. cpds. into association with the anode; and (c) an anode catalyst defining an anode within the anolyte chamber. The cells have their second membranes spaced parallel to each other, defining a blood chamber between them. Air is supplied through an implanted conduit opening outside the body, and blood and air flow through the respective chambers is n ormal to the sinusoidal config. Current is collected from the anode and cathode and cells are connected in series or parallel to provide a predetermined voltage and current output range.
In an electric cell, e.g. a fuel cell, a power source is composed of an upper liq. tank, an electric cell and a lower liq. tank. Liq. fuel in the upper tank is fed to the cell, after it has been used in a reaction it is drained to the lower liq. tank. When the upper tank is empty, the source is rotated through 180 degrees i.e. the upper tank becomes the lower tank and v.v. A high coeff. of fuel utilisation is obtained without using a pump.
The fuel cell has an air anode, a fuel cathode and a caustic potash electrolyte alkali carbonate is formed at the anode from CO2 in the air, this delays O-diffusion and decreases the reaction. The fuel cell has an air purification soln. of aq. KOH which comes from a tank which distributes the KOH. to both the air purifying and electrolyte systems.
Cell operating at 900 degrees-1400 degrees F includes a resilient matrix of a ceramic fibre of porosity 50-95% and mean pore size &lt;25 mu disposed between the electrodes and bearing a molten carbonate electrolyte. Also provided is an extension ceramic fabric for supplying additional molten carbonate electrolyte from a reservoir. The matrix is simple, thermal shock resistant and facilitates wicking from an electrolyte reservoir.
A fuel cell battery comprises bipolar electrodes, each including a flexible graphite foam foil having an active electrode layer on each face, each foil face having a marginal zone bounded by the foil perimeter and the active layer perimeter, a gas chamber being provided between each active layer and its adjacent foil face to which chambers access is provided for and fuel gas, and the bipolar electrodes being secured in alternating relationship with cell frames engaging the foils along the marginal zones and including electrolyte bores communicating with electrolyte channels. Battery provides high voltage without internal or external wiring or complex seals, and is assembled without glueing or pouring thus permitting disassembly.
A liq. decompsn. plant to produce gas for fuel cell batteries (H2 by decompsn. of petrol or methanol) is fitted with a pressure reducing valve at the buffer/condensate vessel which is set to the desired working pressure. Its down-stream connection leads to a reserve tank underneath the fluid tank. This reserve tank is connected by a stop valve to the fluid tank outlet and directly to the lower inlet of the decompsn. tank.
Catalytical activity of active C doped with a noble metal for oxygen electrodes of fuel cells contg. an acid electrolyte is increased by impregnating pulverulent active C with a soln. of a noble metal salt, pref. a halide (-eg. PtCl4 or H2PtCl6.6H2O); reducing the salt (pref. with an aq. or alcoholic soln. of hydrazine, hydroxylamine, NaBH4, a formate etc., or with H2 at 100-300 degrees C); and activating the catalyst by treatment with e.g. NH3 at 900 degrees C. The prod. is compounded with a thermoplastic resin, pref. PTFE or polyethylene, to form an electrode. The efficiency of such an electrode is comperable with that of a pure-platinum electrode, while the consumption of the noble metal is very small (0.8 mg/cm2).
A fuel cell stack, in which each cell comprises a pair of catalystic electrodes separated by an immobilised stable liquid electrolytic member, has the electrodes of adjacent cells separated by thermally conductive, impervious plates with channels in both surfaces defining gas flow paths. Oxidant and fuel gas are passed through the corresponding flow paths, the oxidant gas entering alternate cells or alternate gps of cells from opposite sides to effect a counter-current flow. For unattended communications repeaters, navigational aids, and weather and oceanographic stations, it provides improved temp uniformity throughout the stack.
The battery having an alkaline electrolyte, has extended life by filtering the air, used in the process, through Na or K peroxide to remove carbon dioxide and water vapour.
An electrolyte carrier for fuel cells working at 500-900 degrees, pref. 550-800 degrees C. consists of lithium aluminate, LiAlO2, pref. interspersed with a eutectic mixt. of Li2CO3/Na2CO3 as the electrolyte. The carrier is prepd. by mixing Al salts or the oxide, esp. gamma-Al2O3, with Li2CO3 and Na2CO3 in powder form, pressing into tablets and heating to 700 degrees C., after which the tablets are crushed and the material reheated to 950-1000 degrees C. The initial mixt. should contain enough Li2CO3 so that the surplus over that required to form the LiAlO2 forms a eutectic mixt. with the Na2CO3. This electrolyte carrier shows almost complete stability and ageing resistance; after a long service period no cracks are formed and the positive electrode shows appreciably improved corrosion resistance. The Al2O3 used should be is not &gt;0.1 mu in size and an esp. pref. method for making the LiAlO2 is by the pyrolysis of (in)organic Li-Al complexes.
In chemically and electrically chargeable H2/air cells with H2 storage electrodes and aq. electrolytes, the H2 storage electrode is (partly) in an electrolyte contg. H-contg. fuel(s) (I) and the electrode, at least on the side next to the electrolyte, is capable of dehydrogenating (I) and storing it. The construction is simple, without the complex H2 storage and control equipment needed for fuel cells, and the charge capacity of the electrodes is high.
Title device comprises an oxygen room; an oxygen electrode; an electrolyte a hydrogen electrode of a thin film of Pd alloy, one surface of which is adjacent to the electrolyte and the other surface to a catalyst; and evaporator, to which a mixt. consisting of water and one of ammonia hydrocarbon and methanol is supplied; a thermal reactor; a catalyst within a fuel room; and a separator. The greater part of the generated gas penetrates the hydrogen electrode to supply hydrogen ions to the electrolyte, so that electromotive force will be caused at the oxygen and hydrogen electrodes.
The cell which includes an anode and a cathode with electrolyte between the respective reactant gas chambers, has a liquid coolant passage and an evaporative cooling arrangement respectively operable in the closed and open cycles of operation of the cell, and also separate electrolyte diluent (e.g. water) removal arrangements for closed and open cycle operation.
The battery comprises a plurality of stacked cell units each including porous carbon fuel and oxidant electrodes not &gt;0.005 inches thick and spaced to form an electrolyte passage, by a separate layer formed of elongate glass fibre filaments. In addition the cell units are sepd. from each other by impervious electrically conductive barrier layers which have protuberances (e.g. dimples) extending in opposite directions to form the air and fuel passages and connecting all the cell units in series.
A fuel cell comprises a known oxygen electrode, a fuel electrode consisting of a thin film of palladium alloy and an electrolyte made up of an eutectic mixt. contg. 2 alkali metal hydroxides when the cell is heated to fuse the electrolyte, the desired EMF is generated. The electrolyte does not solidify even if a low load is applied to the cell to decrease its internal resistance. Further, max. hydrogen permeability of Pd alloy film is obtd. when a high load is applied to the cell.
A fuel cell assembly comprises dead-ended type anode and cathode chambers sepd. by electrolyte chambers comm- only supplied via inlet manifolds with reactant gas contg. a minor amt. of an impurity or inert gas. Bleed tubes are diposed opposite the inlet and have dias. and lengths to remove gas from the chambers at a rate of 1-5 times the percentage of the impurity or inert gas. The bleed tubes are the sole means for removal of gas. A steady state impurity concn. distribution is thus maintained in the gas chambers, the operating power to weight ratio is improved, and the ave. current density and voltage do not exhibit periodic drop off following periodic purging. Partic. suitable for satellites.
In a liq. fuel cell battery each cell is associated with a separate fuel-electroylte mixt. storage tank for fuel circulation, and mixt. from an outside source is controllably flowed in cascade consecutively through the tanks to control the battery electrical output. Enables output to be kept constant while keeping all cells under load.
Diaphram membrane for use in fuel cells or for brine electrolysis is formed of a synthetic resin with pores filled by titanium hydrosale, zirconium hydrosade, zirconium silicate, or silica gel, and has a specific electric conductivity of 1 x 10-3 - 10-1 mho/cm, and a specific permeability to water of 10-3 -150 l/m2 hr, at a pressure difference of 0.5 kg/cm2. Combines low electric resistance with low water permeability.
In a fuel element, operating with a fuel contg. water and an oxidant contg. O2, in which the electrolyte heated by waste heat is circulated through an electrolyte cooler, the water of reaction is sepd. by contacting the electrolyte with a gas in the cooler, which removes the water from the electrolyte in vapour form. The gas used is one of the reaction gases of the fuel element, which is passed through the cooler and then through a compressor and water separator before entering the fuel element. Equilibrium between the water content of the electrolyte and the gas is transferred away from the fuel element. The energy consumption is extremely low compared with the usual methods and gen. no circulating pump is needed. The use of a suitable construction makes it possible almost to saturate the gas with water vapour, so that the amt. of gas needed can be kept at an optimum low level.
A fuel cell pile for hydrazine, dissolved in a liquid electrolyte (KOH), and a gaseous reactant (oxygen) supplies reactant and electrolyte through a central distributor which divides the pile in halves, (30 cells, on each side). The distributor is made of polymethacrylic acid ester (Plexi-glass) or polystyrene. The pile is held together by end plates made of glass-fibre reinforced epoxy resin.
Particles having ferromagnetic props. (e.g. Fe particles) are supplied to the cell by being injected into the circulating electrolyte, these particles being coated over the surface of the magnetic fuel electrode, which is rotated. As the particles are consumed the resulting non-magnetic material is removed from the cell and the magnetic electrode recoated with fresh particles. The O and air electrodes may rotate with the fuel electrode or remain stationary, all the electrodes being in disc form.
A biochemical fuel cell comprises an aq. soln. including na) an org. substrate, (b) an enzyme dehydrogenous w.r.t. the substrate, liberating electrons and H ions, (c) a nucleotide promoting the reaction, (d) a buffering agent maintaining a desires pH level. The soln. is disposed in a container and an anode and cathode exend into it. Specific substrate enzyme combinations are (i) pyruvic acid and coenzyme A pyruvate dehydrogenase, (ii) D-iso-citric acid isocitric dehydrogenase, (iii) alpha-ketoglutaric acid and coenzyme A alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, (iv) succinic acid succinic dehydrogenase and nv) L-malic acid malate dehydrogenase.
Electrochemical battery with a low temp. oxygen electrode and hydrogen electrode, has corrugated and perforated conductor inside an oxygen cell, separated by a diaphragm and sealed from the hydrogen cell by a ring gasket. The cells are provided with an ion exchange diaphragm containing an electrolyte. A cooler in the cell is separated from electrical elements by a thermoinsulating perforated collector in which takes place condensation of vapour and transfer of heat generated by chemical reaction. An electrical heater regulates temp. gradient and heat exchange process. The construction regulates the working of the cell in variable load condition and in changeable cooling conditions.
Fuel cell uses a buffered alkaline electrolyte with pH 7-10 using a mixt. of an acid salt and a normal salt of a weak acid, esp. KHCO3 and K2CO3 and a porous carbon cathode impregnated with a transition metal oxide as catalyst. The fuel is esp. a hydrocarbon pref. CH3OH, although H2 and CO will also serve. Cell uses cheap fuel with a cheap catalyst.
Fuel cell coolant is circulated gaseous reactant into the coolant loop to create a hydrostatic head, separating the reactant and coolant, and feeding them separately into the cell, the reactant injection rate being controlled in proportion to the current and/or voltage demands on the cell. Pumping without moving parts. Permits accurate temp. control.
Reaction between Mg and water proceeds intensively in the presence of 1 cobalt oxide (pref. Co3O4) and a chloride (pref. NaCl soln. or sea water), because the chloride ions prevent the formation of a Mg(OH) layer (or destroy it) so that the access of H2O molecules to Mg is not hindered; cobalt oxide(s) is deposited on Mg surface and reduces the hydrogen potential (it is pref preliminarily triturated with Mg powder).
Fuel electrolyte is supplied to the cells from storage tanks through feed valves, the amt of liq. fuel being proportion to the consumption. The fuel may be NaH, LiH or NaBH4 and is stored as a powder dispersed in an organic solvent, such as alcohol. Efficiency of cell is improved as no. superfluous fuel is present and the liq. fuel is storage stable.
Fuel oil system (a) a fuel cell, comprising anode and cathode, having adjacent anode and cathode gas chambers and sepd. by electrolyte, (b) anolyte and catholyte supply tanks, both comprising first and second compartments sepd. by resilient material, where (i) the first catholyte tank compartment contains oxidising material and the second contains sea water for pressuring the first compartment to supply oxidising material to the cathode gas chamber and (ii) the first anolyte tank compartment contains fresh anolyte and the second contains spent anolyte, which is supplied from the anolyte gas chamber to pressurise the first compartment and supply fresh anolyte to the gas chamber.
Absorber effectively removing SbH3 and AsH3, which tend to poison catalysts promoting the recombination of H2 and O2 in accumulator gases, contains as a main component a heavy metal manganite(s), pref. Cu manganite, and opt. oxides of heavy metals, in particular Fe, Co, Ni, Sn, Ga, Ln and/or Tl, which react with SbH3 and AsH3 forming hydrolysis-resistant antimonides and arsenides, e.g. in the form of intermetallic cpds. Oxidants reducing SbH3 and AsH3 can be added, esp. NoO3, WO3 and MnO2, together with cpds. catalysing this reaction, such as Fe2O3, V2O5 and Cr2O3. The pref. carrier is alumina gel (particle size 0.1-1 mm.; pref. 0.2-0.5 mm). Pref. the absorber surrounds the catalyst for the oxygen-hydrogen recombination placed in a cap closing the accumulator.
The fuel cell contains an acid electrolyte and the cathode catalyst is a mixture of a disulphide and a thio spinel of the same transition metal (Co). The electrolyte is typically H2SO4 or H3PO4, the catalyst esp. being a mixture of CoS2 and Co3S4.
Carrier such as alumina is impregnated with PTFE resin dispersion, dried, impregnated with a soln. of a catalyst such as Pt, Pd etc. and heat treated in H2 to give a catalyst with improved activity and water resistance and is useful as a catalytic gas adsorber for fuel cells.
PTFE crystalline or quasi-crystalline layers are pptd. by vacuum deposition using electron beam irradiation or hf-plasma deposition method. Crystalline solid polymeric material is used as getter in the vacuum vessel and the ionic density on the getter is maintained at such a low level that the structure of the getter remains crystalline on its surface. The layer support is positioned at such a pt. that it is exposed to the action of energy particles with only a small alternating charge. Layers may be used in mfr. of condensers, wear and corrosion resistant components.
Methanation of a feed gas contg. H2 and CO and/or CO2 is carried out by contacting the feed gas at 75-250 degrees C with a catalyst consisting of Ru, with 0-50% of the Ru substd. by Pt, and 5-20% of reduced amorphous oxide of W. The W oxide has a synergistic effect with the Ru in the methanation. By controlling the flow rate and/or the temp. CO in a gas which also contains CO2 can be selectively methanated. The process may be used to clean-up reformer gas to provide a CO- free gas useful in ammonia synthesis plants and as fuel in fuel cells.
A solid electrolyte fuel cell including a plurality of stacked elements each of which includes a plurality of substrates connected in series, each substrate having an array of solid electrolyte filled apertures, conductive coatings, and electrocatalyst deposits over the solid electrolyte and surrounding conductive coatings. In addn each substrate includes an electrolyte free aperture in a portion of the substrate which is only covered by one of the conductive coatings which is used to make connection to the other conductive coating, of the next adjacent substrate. The substrates are thus serially connected to from a planar array.
Title compsn. comprises a blower, a supply port of air, a CO2 removal tank, an exhaust port of the air, an air path connecting the CO2 removal tank to a body of fuel cell, and an exhaust port for excess air. A soln. of propylene carbonate is put into the CO2 removal tank, and a space is formed on the upper portion of the tank. A pipe having 3 apertures is placed in the tank. In such a structure, when air is supplied to the tank from the blower through the inlet port of the pipe, the supplied air is raised to the soln. and appears on the space, becoming bubbles through the apertures. Finally the CO2 removed air comes out from the outlet port, and is supplied to the fuel cell.
Title compsn. comprises a blower, a supply port of air, a CO2 removal tank, an exhaust port of the air, an air path connecting the CO2 removal tank to a body of a fuel cell, and an exhaust port for excess air. A soln. of ethylene carbonate dissolved in propylene carbonate as a solvent is put into the CO2 removal tank, and a space is present at upper portion of the tank. A pipe having 3 apertures is placed in the tank. In such a structure, when air is supplied to the tank from the blower through the inlet port of the pipe, the supplied air is raised to the soln. and appears on the space becoming bubbles through the apertures. Finally, the CO2 removed air comes out from the outlet port and is supplied to the fuel cell.
Air from a blower is sent to an inlet port of a CO2 removal tank. The air passes through 30% caustic potash aq.soln., a first space, a thin PTFE fibre sheet, and a second space. Such air again passes through the caustic potash aq. soln. and appears in a third space. The air may lead to an outlet port of the CO2 removal tank through the similar zigzag path of space-liquid. The zigzag path is formed of transparent acryl resin. The air with desired amount of CO2 removed is sent to a drying room, dehydrated and introduced into a fuel cell. Excess air is removed via an exhaust port to outside the cell. The zigzag path of caustic potash portions and spaces through which the air passes is compact. The CO2 removal tank has small size. Unwanted CO2 can be sufficiently removed because the air passes through the porous thin film sheet.