Molten Salt Electrolyte for Thermal Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molten salts used in thermal batteries have high ion conductivity but high melting points, leading to operational limitations, such as increased power consumption and reduced performance in low-temperature environments, and are chemically unstable due to high reactivity with moisture and oxygen.
Innovation Solution
A molten salt composition with a melting point of 350°C to 430°C and an electric conductivity of 2.2 S/cm or more, comprising a mixture of inorganic salts like LiF, LiCl, LiBr, NaF, NaCl, KF, and KBr, which includes a balanced ratio of lithium cations and anions to enhance ion conductivity while minimizing fluorine and iodine content to improve chemical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a molten salt with high ion conductivity is used as an electrolyte, then the battery output is improved, but the melting point increases leading to operational limitations and increased power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the molten salt electrolyte by incorporating specific ratios of LiCl, KCl, LiBr, and KBr to achieve a eutectic mixture with optimized melting point and ion conductivity characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite molten salt system comprising multiple salt components (LiCl, KCl, LiBr, KBr) in specific proportions to combine the advantages of each component, achieving both low melting point and high ion conductivity that cannot be obtained with single salts
2Power
If a molten salt with high melting point is used to achieve high ion conductivity, then the battery can supply high power, but the adaptability to low-temperature environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the molten salt to achieve a eutectic point at lower temperature, enabling the electrolyte to maintain liquid state and high ion conductivity across a wider temperature range including low-temperature environments
3Power
If certain molten salt compositions are used to improve ion conductivity, then the battery performance is enhanced, but the chemical stability decreases due to high reactivity with moisture and oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite molten salt system where the interaction between multiple salt components (LiCl, KCl, LiBr, KBr) creates a chemically more stable mixture that exhibits reduced reactivity with moisture and oxygen compared to individual salt components, while maintaining high ion conductivity
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 proposed molten salt composition enables high-output, small, and lightweight thermal batteries with improved discharge performance across a wider temperature range and enhanced chemical stability, reducing environmental impact and extending shelf life.
Implementation Method 1
the electrolyte achieves a molten state, becoming an excellent ion-conductor
Implementation Method 2
when the electrolyte is heated to high temperature, the electrolyte achieves a molten state
Implementation Method 3
the electrolyte achieves a molten state
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a molten salt containing at least two salts, and having a melting point of 350° C. or more and 430° C. or less and an electric conductivity at 500° C. of 2.2 S/cm or more. The present invention also provides a thermal battery including the molten salt as an electrolyte.