The development of high power Li/SOCl2 batteries

Electrochemical testing and mathematical modeling has led to the design of Li/SOCl₂ batteries weighing 25 lbs capable of delivering 50 kW. The goal was to achieve the highest possible specific power and energy in a 4.2 kWh battery. The battery should deliver a minimum 2 kW/lb during periodic short discharges over its 5-10 year lifetime. This presents a number of difficult challenges especially for lithium batteries. Among these are: (1) the ability to provide safe high rate continuous and pulse discharge, (2) the ability to withstand the effects of anode passivation and corrosion over its long active stand, (3) the design for a practical 50 kW battery, (4) thermal management, (5) development of assembly methods, and (6) development of equipment and methods for test of such a large battery. The authors describes these efforts. Results of single cell and multicell discharges are presented and compared to model projections