Salt water batteries utilizing fusion-cast PbCl2-Cu2Cl2electrodes

Although salt water batteries based on magnesium alloys and silver chloride have been used for several years, they present several problems, the most important of which is the very high cost. Alternate systems utilizing lead chloride or cuprous chloride have achieved only moderate success. The present research relates to a high energy low cost salt water battery based on an aluminum alloy in conjunction with fused-cast lead chloride-cuprous chloride mixtures with enhanced porosity. Operation has been demonstrated over extended periods with a performance of 35 Wh/lb and satisfactory operation down to C. The aluminum alloy avoids the corrosion product problem associated with magnesium and makes interrupted operation feasible. The small sacrifice in working potential is more than compensated by improved discharge characteristics. Fundamental and technical aspects of the lead chloride-cuprous chloride composite electrodes are discussed in relation to optimizing performance. Applications include many medium and high power situations for which existing batteries are unsuitable or too expensive.