POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION MODEL FOR RECHARGEABLE SULFUR ELECTRODES IN SODIUM-SULFUR CELLS

The efficiency of laboratory type sodium-sulphur cells, especially the utilization of reactants, is critically dependent upon the design of the sulphur electrode. The satisfactory rechargeability of a new design, based on a graduated electronic resistance inside the carbon fibre matrix is analysed in terms of two models: (a) predominant influence of potential distribution, (b) predominant influence of free flow in open spaces. Experimental results in favour of model (a) are discussed. The potential distribution of the new design is computed using appropriate assumptions for the one-phase region and compared with that in the absence of a graduated electronic resistance. It appears that the improved rechargeability can be explained by the different potential distribution. © 1979 Chapman and Hall Ltd.