CURRENT DISTRIBUTION IN A POSITIVE CURRENT COLLECTOR OF A SODIUM-SELENIUM(IV) MOLTEN-SALT BATTERY

The current distribution in the positive current collector of a Na/Se( IV) battery has been studied by measuring the potentials of selenium r eactions with inert tungsten microelectrodes. The radial potential dis tribution on discharge depended on the arrangement of the positive cur rent collector and the conductivity of the graphite felt. A high react ion rate near the beta'' -alumina tube observed in a cell with a homog eneous current collector could be inhibited by a dual-mat design compo sed of a thin inner felt with high resistivity and bulk felt with high conductivity. Precipitation of sodium chloride on discharge influence d the current distribution and the polarization as well as the capacit y.