Ceramic Electrochemical Cell Support for Lower-Temperature Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical cells, such as sodium/nickel chloride cells, require elevated temperatures for operation, which poses challenges in maintaining sealing and reducing start-up times, especially when using thin ceramic electrolytes.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical cell design featuring a ceramic electrolyte sheet separated by a perforated inert metal sheet for support, with a porous wicking material to enhance ion conduction and a heat transfer fluid system for temperature control, allowing operation at lower temperatures and improved sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a thin ceramic electrolyte sheet is used to reduce weight and volume, then the cell can operate at lower temperatures and have reduced start-up times, but sealing becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a thin ceramic electrolyte sheet with a porous support layer and sealing components. The ceramic sheet is integrated with a porous layer that provides both mechanical support and sealing functionality, allowing the thin electrolyte to maintain reliability while enabling lower operating temperatures and faster start-up times.
2Loss of time
If the ceramic electrolyte sheet is made thinner to reduce start-up time, then heating from ambient is reduced, but the sheet becomes more vulnerable to mechanical damage and sealing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a porous support layer integrated with the thin ceramic electrolyte sheet. This porous structure provides mechanical strength and support to the thin ceramic, preventing it from being vulnerable to damage while still allowing rapid heating and reduced start-up times. The porous nature also facilitates thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin ceramic electrolyte is combined with a porous support material to create a composite structure that maintains the strength and integrity of the thin ceramic sheet during rapid heating and cooling cycles, while still enabling fast start-up performance.
3Strength
If a perforated inert metal sheet is used to support the ceramic electrolyte, then mechanical strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous inert metal sheet with a perforated structure that provides mechanical support to the ceramic electrolyte. The porous design allows ionic conduction through the support structure while maintaining strength, and the configuration is integrated into the overall cell design to minimize additional complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enables efficient ion conduction and reduced start-up times while maintaining the benefits of reduced weight and volume, with improved thermal insulation and mechanical protection, allowing for effective operation at lower temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a sheet of a ceramic that can conduct ions of the alkali metal
Implementation Method 2
a porous wicking material to enhance ion conduction
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical cell (10) comprising an anode compartment (14) and a cathode compartment (15) each defined in part by a respective metal plate (11, 12), the anode compartment (14) of the cell when charged containing an alkali metal, and the of the alkali metal, and the anode compartment (14) also comprises a perforated planar sheet (24) of an inert metal immediately adjacent to the sheet (23) of ceramic, to provide support to the sheet of ceramic. The perforated metal sheet and the planar sheet of ceramic are formed separately. The cell (10) may be a sodium/metal halide cell; and multiple cells (10) which define edge flanges (20) may be stacked in an insulating frame (35), so a heat transfer fluid may be passed between the edge flanges (20) of the cells (10).