CONVERTISSEUR ELECTROCHIMIQUE A ALUMINIUM-HALOGENE

1340624 Aluminium halogen battery TEXTRONInc 6 April 1972 [10 May 1971] 15871/72 Heading H1B A battery comprises an aqueous electrolyte solution, a consumable aluminium anode and a cathode comprising an electrode in the solution and means for supplying a halogen to the interface of the electrode and the electrolyte. In an embodiment, chlorine is supplied through manifold tube 42 to porous carbon electrodes 44 which are electrically connected to stud 72 by bus bar 71 and buttons 69. Consumable aluminium anodes 58 are connected by bus bars 62 to stud 64. When the aluminium electrodes have been consumed, the handle 56 is used to remove the remains of anodes 58 and the studs 62, 72, and a fresh holder 54 containing new anodes is placed in position. Spent electrolyte 36 is removed through valve 38. Other halogens may be used in place of chlorine, with heating to maintain a gaseous state. Aluminium foil or powdered or pelletized aluminium in a porous nickel shell is used as an anode. The cathode may also be porous graphite or titanium. The electrolyte is preferably NH 4 Cl but the chloride, bromide sulphate, perchlorate, chlorate, borate, phosphate, oxalate, succinate or tartrate of Na, Ca, K, NH 4 or (CH 3 ) 4 N may also be used.