Effects of current distribution on mass transport in the positive electrode of a liquid metal battery

P. Personnettaz - S. Landgraf - M. Nimtz - N. Weber - T. Weier

Helmholtz--Zentrum Dresden -- Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstr. 400, Dresden, Germany

Abstract
Liquid metal electrodes are one of the key components of different electrical energy storage technologies. The understanding of transport phenomena in liquid electrodes is mandatory in order to ensure efficient operation. In the present study we focus our attention on the positive electrode of the Li||Bi liquid metal battery. Starting from a real experimental setup, we numerically investigate the charge transfer in a molten salt electrolyte and the mass transport in the positive electrode. The two phenomena are tightly coupled, because the current distribution influences the concentration field in the positive electrode. The cell is studied during charging when compositional convection becomes apparent. First results of compositional convection from a non-uniform current distribution are presented, highlighting its capability to affect the flow in the positive electrode and the cell performance. Tables 1, Figs 6, Refs 28.