Effect of additives and self cooling on the performance of a high power calcium/SrX2-SOCl2 cell

Two ways of increasing the capability of the C-size Ca/Sr(AlCl₄)₂-TC cell were evaluated: introduction of additives in order to minimize cell heating, and self air cooling of the battery during discharge. The addition of a combination of SO₂ , and P40 additive, to the electrolyte was found to increase both the Faradaic efficiency and the voltage under load, thus decreasing cell heating by 10-20%. With the use of a small electric fan, which was powered by the battery itself, it was possible to continuously discharge a C-size cell at 90 W/kg. The wasted energy needed for this self cooling was only 5-7% of the energy delivered by the cells (up to 7 Wh or 120 Wh/kg)