Real-time X-radiography of operating sodium/sulfur cells

Real-time X-radiographic studies were performed on several sodium/sulfur battery cells. The radiography techniques allow detailed observation of the processes occurring within the cells in real time, without the need for special cell construction or physical intrusion into the cells. Several new and some unexplained phenomena were seen in the course of the investigations, including a variety of unusual wetting behaviors, bubbling and convection in the liquid components, and effects of cell failure on cooldown. Selected results and observations from the testing are presented. Hypothetical explanations for some of the observed behavior are also presented