Chloride Silent Power, Ltd.

Michael D Hames

Michael L Wright

Alec R Tilley

In a sodium sulphur cell having beta alumina solid electrolyte material separating an anodic region containing sodium from a cathodic region, the surface of the electrolyte exposed to the sodium is pretreated with a first metal, conveniently lead, which will form an alloy with sodium and the anodic region contains a second metal, e.g. titanium or aluminium which will react with sodium oxide to form a sodium oxide compound of the second metal or an oxide thereof. The combined effect of these features gives a significant improvement in preventing resistance rise of the cell on discharge.

Sodium sulphur cells

An alkali metal sulphur cell has an outer tubular casing and an inner tubular solid electrolyte whose interior constitutes the cathode compartment of the cell. The outer tubular casing and the tubular solid electrolyte are spaced apart to define an annular space, at least the part of which adjacent the outer surface of the tubular solid electrolyte constitutes the anode compartment of the cell. Means are provided for causing the alkali metal to be distributed over the outer surface of the tubular solid electrolyte. Barrier means additional to the solid electrolyte are disposed between the sulphur material and at least a part of the outer casing. The barrier means may comprise a coating on one or both surfaces of the tubular solid electrolyte, alkali metal flow restrictor means or a coating on at least a part of the inner surface of the outer casing.

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Spondon, United Kingdom

Michael D Hames