Validation test of 125 Ah advanced design IPV nickel-hydrogen flight cells

Author

Smith, R.J.J. ; Hall, Stephen W.

Author_Institution

NASA Lewis Res. Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

Volume

8

Issue

5

fYear

1993

fDate

5/1/1993 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

11

Lastpage

15

Abstract

An update of validation test results confirming the advanced design nickel-hydrogen cell is presented. An advanced 125 Ah individual pressure vessel (IPV) nickel-hydrogen cell was designed for storing and delivering energy for long-term, low-earth-orbit (LEO) spacecraft missions. The new features of this design are: the use of 26% rather than 31% potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte; a patented catalyzed wall wick; serrated-edge separators to facilitate gaseous oxygen and hydrogen flow within the cell, while maintaining physical contact with the wall wick for electrolyte management; and a floating rather than a fixed stack to accommodate nickel electrode expansion. The resulting improvements include extended cycle life and enhanced thermal, electrolyte, and oxygen management; and accommodation of nickel electrode expansion. Six 125-Ah flight cells based on this design are in the process of being evaluated in a LEO cycle life test.<>

Keywords

aerospace testing; hydrogen; life testing; nickel; secondary cells; space vehicle power plants; 125 Ah individual pressure vessel; KOH electrolyte; LEO; NASA; Ni electrode expansion; Ni-H/sub 2/; catalyzed wall wick; cycle test; extended cycle life; flight cells; floating stack; life test; low-earth-orbit; serrated-edge separators; spacecraft missions; storage test; validation test; Batteries; Contracts; Cranes; Electrodes; Life testing; Low earth orbit satellites; NASA; Nickel; Particle separators; Weapons;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8985

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/62.212580

Filename

212580