Design and performance of a sodium/sulphur multitube cell

Multiplate or multitube arrangements in battery designs generally result in higher specific energy and power values. Preliminary investigations into the design and operation of a 4-tube Na/S cell with a theoretical capacity of 155 A h showed values of 100 W h/kg for the energy density at the 3 h rate and of 6 mΩ for the cell resistance, corresponding to a maximum power density of 100 W/kg. With further improvements, values of 165 W h/kg and 180 W/kg can be expected to be realized. Another advantage of this design is reduced corrosion problems because the sulphur electrode can be put inside the β-Al 2O 3 tubes. A more complex fabrication process and a higher probability of failures may be considered as drawbacks of this design.