# US 7,608,361 B2 · Alkali metal battery

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- Number: US 7,608,361 B2
- Document ID: US7608361B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/842,980
- Filed: 2007-08-22
- Published: 2009-02-26
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2007-08-22
- Inventors: John E. Stauffer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608361B2

## CPC

- H01M 4/38: of elements or alloys
- H01M 4/24: Electrodes for alkaline accumulators
- H01M 4/40: Alloys based on alkali metals
- H01M 4/56: of lead
- H01M 10/02: Details (of electrodes H01M4/00; of non-active parts H01M50/00)
- H01M 10/22: Selection of materials as electrolytes
- H01M 10/24: Alkaline accumulators
- H01M 10/26: Selection of materials as electrolytes
- H01M 10/36: Accumulators not provided for in groups H01M10/05-H01M10/34
- H01M 2300/0002: Aqueous electrolytes
- Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A storage battery is provided comprising appositive electrode of lead, a negative electrode of mercury, and an electrolyte consisting of an aqueous solution of a salt of an alkali metal. Upon charging the battery, lead is converted to lead dioxide and the alkali metal forms the amalgam with the mercury. During discharge, the lead dioxide is reduced to the plumbous state and the alkali metal is oxidized to the positive ion and goes into solution. The mercury is immobilized in one of several alternative ways.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A storage battery comprising:
a casing:
a positive electrode of lead-based material;
a negative electrode of mercury; and
an electrolyte consisting of an aqueous solution of a salt of an alkali metal wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of sulfates, carbonates, phosphates, silicates and borates;
and further wherein, upon charging, the lead-based material is converted to lead dioxide and an amalgam is formed from the mercury and the alkali metal, and, upon discharging, the lead dioxide is reduced and the alkali metal from the amalgam is oxidized to form a positive ion which goes into solution.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A storage battery of claim 1 in which the alkali metal is lithium.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A storage battery of claim 1 in which the alkali metal is sodium.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A storage battery of claim 1 in which the alkali metal is potassium.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A storage battery of claim 1 in which the alkali metal is rubidium.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A storage battery of claim 1 in which the alkali metal is cesium.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A storage battery of claim 1 in which means are provided for immobilizing the mercury.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A storage battery of claim 7 in which the immobilizing means includes a solid substrate to which the mercury is bonded.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

A storage battery of claim 8 in which the solid substrate is graphite.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

A storage battery of claim 7 in which the mercury is pooled at the bottom of the casing and the immobilizing means is a semi permeable membrane between the mercury and the electrolyte.