Li-H2 cells with molten alkali chlorides electrolyte

Li-H-2 thermally regenerative fuel cells were studied using molten alkali chlorides as the electrolyte at relatively lower temperature. The saturation solubility of LiH in three different alkali chloride eutectic melts (LiCl - KCl, LiCl CsCl, and LiCl - KCl - CsCl) was determined based on equilibrium potential measurements for the hydrogen electrode. Both a Ni membrane electrode and porous Ni electrode were evaluated as the cathode of the cell. In addition, a single cell of a Li - H-2 fuel cell with a Ni membrane for the anode was constructed, and the electromotive force (emf) was measured. When the Ni membrane electrode performed as an anode with molten salt electrolyte saturated with LiH, the measured emf was similar to previously reported emf for other types of molten salt electrolyte. In conclusion, certain types of molten alkali chlorides can be used as the electrolyte of a thermally regenerative fuel cell at a relatively lower operating temperature at least above 598 K.