Molten salt battery has been developed with theoretical energy density of 5.2 j/kg (650 W-h/lb). Battery, which operates at 150 C, can be used in primary mode or as rechargeable battery. Battery has aluminum anode and chlorine cathode. Electrolyte is mixture of AlCl3, NaCl, and some alkali metal halide such as KCl

Giner, J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

August 1972	 B72-10527 
.
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Headquarters	
A 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Al/C1 2 Molten Salt Battery 
The problem: 
Many large,' electrically powered devices, such as 
electric vehicles, require a compact energy source which 
is capable of providing the relatively large amount of 
energy necessary for operation. 
The solution: 
An aluminum chloride, molten salt battery has been 
developed with a theoretical energy density of 5.2 j/kg 
(650 W.h/lb). The battery, which operates at 150°C, 
can be used in the primary mode or as a rechargeable 
battery. 
How it's done: 
The battery has an aluminum anode and a chlorine 
cathode. The electrolyte is a mixture of Aid 3 , NaCl, 
and some alkali metal halide such as KC1. With KCI, the 
electrolyte' composition is 66.20. 14 mol % of AlC13, 
NaCl, and KC1, respectively. 
The chlorine cathode is made corrosion resistant by 
using porous carbon as the substrate. The carbon is 
machined to a cylinder, 4.5 cm in length with a 1.9 cm 
diameter. An internal concentric hole (diameter 0.3 
cm) is drilled to within 0.8 cm of the base of the
cylinder. The highest current density is achieved when 
chlorine bubbles slightly, under a pressure of 1.7 x 105 
N/rn 2 (10 psig). 
The aluminum electrode is a 5.3-cm high, 4.3-cm 
wide cylinder that fits concentrically around the carbon 
electrode. 
The cell provides 20 mA/cm2 at a cell potential of 
1.8 V. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
NASA Headquarters 
Code KT 
Washington, D.C. 20546 
Reference: TSP72-10527 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
'Source: Jose Giner of 
Tyco Laboratories Inc.' 
under contract to 
NASA Headquarters 
(HQN. 10696) 
Category 01, 04 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19720000526 2020-03-17T03:33:50+00:00Z


Al/Cl2 molten salt battery

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