Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Current producing cell – elements – subcombinations and... – Separator – retainer or spacer insulating structure
Patent
1996-03-15
1998-02-10
Kalafut, Stephen
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Current producing cell, elements, subcombinations and...
Separator, retainer or spacer insulating structure
296234, H01M 218
Patent
active
057167338
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 of Austrian Patent Application No. 1893/93 filed on Sep. 17, 1993.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for producing a nondetachable, fluid-tight, and gastight connection between a plate stack and a plate-shaped lateral component of an electrochemical battery and for spacing this plate stack, which is comprised of successive, thin-walled electrode plates, with separator plates disposed between each of them, wherein the lateral component is comprised of electrically non-conducting material; the invention also relates to an electrochemical battery, in particular a zinc-bromine battery, with a plate-shaped lateral component, which is comprised of electrically non-conducting material.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Zinc-bromine batteries are constructed of bipolar electrode plates, which are comprised of plastic-bonded carbon. The individual electrode plates are separated by smooth separator plates made of plastic. Because the electrode plates and/or separator plates are made with reinforced plastic lateral edges, intermediate electrode compartments and concrete anode and cathode regions are produced between each electrode plate and separator plate.
The electrolytes, that is anolyte and catholyte, are each routed as separate circuits and are conveyed in and out of the anode or cathode regions via lateral distribution tunnels. A separate electrolyte reservoir along with a pump is provided for each of the two electrolyte circuits.
Particular attention must be paid to the chemical resistance of the plastics used because of the high reactivity of bromine. At the same time, it is important that the face regions of the electrode plates and separator plates, which constitute the closing of the above-mentioned anode and cathode regions, are closed in both a fluid-tight and gastight manner.
A further problem in bromine-zinc batteries is comprised of the fact that with their plate stacks, which are produced by the layering of a large number of electrode plates and separator plates upon one another, the tolerances of the plate thickness accumulate so that after the conclusion of the final plate positioning, it is difficult to assure a precise agreement with the inlet and outlet openings for the connection of the circulating system which conveys the electrolytes.
There is a known method in which the face regions of the electrode plates and separator plates are glued together.
In actual use, though, it has turned out that, no impermeability can be assured with this method.
It has furthermore been suggested that the connection of the face regions be carried out by screw connection of a plate-shaped lateral part, which is provided with a seal, wherein the screws engage directly in the face end region. It is therefore also not possible to prevent an escape of the electrolyte, chiefly because of distortions of the seal.
Furthermore, a process is employed, which is comprised in heating a plate-shaped thermoplastic component and the face regions of the electrode plates and separator plates by means of contact with a heating element and then pressing the component against the face ends. The connections formed using this process can only assure fluid-tightness and gastightness for a very limited period of time.
The problem of impermeability could in fact be improved by extruding side walls on the plate stack, which is comprised of electrode plates and separator plates; however, the disadvantage arises that a distortion of the lateral edges and consequently also of the electrode plates and separator plates occurs.
Moreover, it is disadvantageous that after completion of the extruded side walls, through openings must be made in another work cycle, which are for connecting the electrolyte lines to the anode and cathode regions. As a result of the face region distortions produced in extrusion, it is not always possible to place the through openings precisely eno
REFERENCES:
patent: 5197994 (1993-03-01), Brocksmith
PCT Search Report Dec. 28, 1994.
Japanese abstract No. JP59,138,068 Dec. 7, 1984.
Austrian Office Action Jul. 28, 1994.
Elin EBG Elektrotechnik GmbH
Kalafut Stephen
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