HIGH RATE (5 MINUTE) MISSILE BATTERY PROGRAM
Abstract
The findings of an investigation of the aluminum/oxygen battery system in the 0.25 - 5 min discharge time range are presented. Considerable improvement in the electrochemical reversibility of Al anodes was found in the Al-Sn alloys. This improvement, however, could not be achieved with a concurrent increase in hydrogen overvoltage. The high rate of corrosion accompanying the increased hydrogen evolution prevents the use of these alloys in batteries. A parallel study indicate that heat sinks would be required to absorb the waste heat generated during discharge - even if H2 evolution is eliminated. Estimates of the battery weights at the various discharge rates were optimized using a computer program. It was shown that neither Al/O2 or Zn/O2 are capable of meeting the 100 watt-hr/lb goal at the 5-min rate. A general discussion is included identifying the weight contributing factors and their relative contributions towards total system weight. It is concluded that at the high rates couple reversibility, thermal efficiency and cell operating voltage have a much greater effect on overall battery weight than the theoretical energy density.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0484265
Entities
People
- J. E. Oxley
- M. A. Vertes
- S. Cohen