Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: The present application provides configurations, components, assemblies and methods for sealing cells of sodium-based thermal batteries, such as NaMx cells. In some embodiments the cells may include an integrated bridge member hermetically sealed to an electrically conductive case and a ceramic collar of the cell to hermetically seal an anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the cells may include the ceramic collar hermetically sealed to an electrolyte separator tube of the cell to hermetically seal the anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the anodic chamber may be defined, at least in part, by the case, integrated bridge member, ceramic collar and electrolyte separator tube. In some embodiments the cells may include a current collector hermetically sealed to the ceramic collar, and a cap member hermetically sealed to the current collector tube to hermetically seal a cathodic chamber of the cell.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.

Abstract: The present application provides configurations, components, assemblies and methods for sealing cells of sodium-based thermal batteries, such as NaMx cells, without a bridge member. In some embodimentsl the cells may include an electrically conductive case directly hermetically sealed to an electrically insulating ceramic collar of the cell to hermetically seal an anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the ceramic collar and an electrolyte separator tube may be a cosintered one-piece member. In some embodiments the case and the ceramic collar and separator tube may form a hermetically sealed anodic chamber therebetween. In some embodiments the separator tube may define, at least in part, a cathodic chamber therein. In some embodiments the cells may include a current collector hermetically sealed to the ceramic collar, and a cap member hermetically sealed to the current collector to hermetically seal the cathodic chamber of the cell.

Abstract: The present application provides configurations, components, assemblies and methods for sealing cells of sodium-based thermal batteries, such as NaMx cells. In some embodiments the cells may include an integrated bridge member hermetically sealed to an electrically conductive case and a ceramic collar of the cell to hermetically seal an anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the cells may include the ceramic collar hermetically sealed to an electrolyte separator tube of the cell to hermetically seal the anodic chamber of the cell. In some embodiments the anodic chamber may be defined, at least in part, by the case, integrated bridge member, ceramic collar and electrolyte separator tube. In some embodiments the cells may include a current collector hermetically sealed to the ceramic collar, and a cap member hermetically sealed to the current collector tube to hermetically seal a cathodic chamber of the cell.