Page 416 - Battery Reference Book

Lithium-thionyl chloride 38/3

Applications of some of the main types of lithium Current research is attempting to develop a portable
batteries are des'cribed below. equipment battery that operates not at its normal oper-
ating temperature of 120°C but at room tempera-
ture. (polyethylene oxide)gLiCF3 SO3 electrolytes hold
ithiunn-sulphur dioxide such promise. The y-alumina-lithium fluoride prim-
ary solid state battery has some applications in the
Because of their favourable characteristics these cells cardiac pacemaker field.
and batteries have found many applications in the The lithium-titanium disulphide solid state re-
military field and in the operation of electronic com- chargeable battery was at one time considered by
ponents, especirdly where high energy density, long P.R. Mallory (now Duracell) as a candidate for large-
shelf life and low weight are requirements. Portable scale energy storage applications but, due to lack of
radio transmitters, night vision devices, pyrotechnic durability, interest in this application has now declined.
ignition batteries, buoys, emergency power supply for A secondary 2.5 V lithium-titanium disulphide
laser devices, cameras, hand lamps, medical electron- battery developed in the mid-eighties by Eveready,
ics, operation of micro-processors and signal lamps are employing a LiI-LisP400,25Si13,75 vitreous inorganic
some of the applications that have been found. electrolyte has reached the semi-commercial stage.
Applications for the lithium-sulphur dioxide
reserve systems include underwater mine batteries
and (active batteries) memory protection, manpack 38.3 Lithium-thionyl chloride
communications, life-support equipment, sonobuoys,
space probes, missiles, mines, security systems, data Applications for lithium-thionyl chloride cells and
buoysistations, weather sondes and electronic counter active batteries include all those for which active
measures. The non-reserve (active) systems are used lithium-sulphur dioxide cells and batteries are
for covert sensors, memory protection and weather recommended, and also high-temperature applications.
sondes. Eagle Picher recommend their active lithium-
Other applications include utility meters, random thionyl chloride cells for micropower sources in
access memory applications, weather balloons, oceano- advanced application areas, e.g. airborne instrumen-
graphic equipmlent, process controllers, switch gear, tation, undersea communications, mineral exploration,
test equipment, on-board aircraft computers, emer- remote site monitoring safety controls, security, and
gency locator equipment, rocket propulsion equipment space and/or defence systems.
for satellites, military equipment and anti-satellite mis- Eagle Picher reserve batteries have found many
siles. Lithium-sulphur dioxide is the principal high applications in military and aerospace applications
energy primary battery system used in the world to such as missiles and re-entry vehicles. They have also
power military electronics equipment, e.g. the BA been used in mines.
5990 type cell is used by the US military to power Other applications of lithium-thionyl chloride cells
some 40 different types of electronic equipment. include utility metering gauges, security alann sys-
So far attempts to produce a rechargeable lithium- tems, automobile electronic systems and well logging,
sulphur dioxide battery have been unsuccessful. electronic applications, e.g. power back-up for volatile
Applications to consumer goods have been limited random access memories. The US Army has placed
to safety considixations. large orders for the BA 6598 lithium-thionyl chloride
battery produced by Eveready. There are no significant
industrial or consumer applications to date for high rate
38.2 Lithium-vanadium pentoxide wound lithium-thionyl chloride cells.
There are two main applications for this type Eagle Picher have supplied Keeper I and Keeper I1
of cell. Reserve batteries are for applications small (350-11600mAh) prismatic cells for use on
requiring extremely long shelf and operational life printed circuit boards with dual in-line pin connectors.
(10-30 years) and relatively low discharge rates. The These are used in memory and clock applications.
non-reserve types are used for applications such as Very large prismatic cells have been supplied by
covert sensors, i.mplantable medical devices, watches, CITE Power Systems Operations and by Atlas Cor-
currency trackers, memory protectors and frangible poration for standby power to activate US Interconti-
weather sondes. nental Ballistic Missiles, e.g. Minuteman and Peace-
Other medical applications include insulin pumps, keeper. The largest of these is 10000Ah and weighs
pacemakers and automatic defibrillators. 68 kg.
The major ontlet for lithium-vanadium pentoxide These batteries have energy densities of 480
reserve batteries, is in munitions systems. W h/kg-' (905 W h/dm-3). Nine cells are combined to
The Harwell development lithium-vanadium pen- produce a 33 V battery.
toxide solid state battery is being investigated as a Lithium-thionyl chloride reserve cells have recently
possible power source for satellite power and vehicle been introduced. They have the advantage of a 10-20
propulsion. year shelf life. Military applications include missiles,