ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICE FOR OXYGEN REMOVAL

Abstract

The first thoria-yttria cell tested in sodium cracked at 140 hr. Its current efficiency and current density were low, but it apparently did remove some oxygen from sodium. The second such test encountered rising cell resistance, a new development. The rise is tentatively ascribed to depletion of oxygen from a stagnant sodium layer around the cell. Electrolysis of a zirconia-calcia cell in sodium was interrupted by overheating of the O-ring seal. A revised seal using forced air cooling, eliminated this problem. A zirconia-yttria cell electrolyzed in oxygen showed encouragingly high conductivity and current efficiency at 1000F. It also showed current efficiency increasing with current density up to a maximum before decreasing. This unexpected behavior has not been explained. Electrolysis of zirconia-calcia plates in oxygen indicated that this material will not be as useful as zirconia-yttria at temperatures below 1400F.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 16, 1964
Accession Number
AD0602900

Entities

People

  • James W. McKee

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Current Density
  • Design Criteria
  • Efficiency
  • Electrolysis
  • Electrolytes
  • Films
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Ionic Current
  • Materials
  • O Rings
  • Resistance
  • Thick Films
  • Voltage

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.