Page 20 - JCERDC Status Report

Achievements thus far

Assessment of options to enhance Studies of Li-ion, Super Capacitor
the life of sodium-sulfur rechargeable and Unitized Regenerative Fuel cells
battery: (URFC) for grid scale applications:
• Na-S battery is one of the most deployed Modeling and select experiments:
battery systems globally in the renewable • Detailed experimental as well as modeling
energy sector. Two approaches are being studies on select Li ion battery cathodes
pursued in parallel under a SERIIUS milestone, (oxides, phosphates, silicates, vanadium oxide,
with regard to solving the corrosion issue a few other systems) and anodes of select
of Na-S battery which limits the life, thereby chemistries were completed and published in
increasing the cost per unit of electricity from high quality journals (IITB, CSTEP)
Na-S integrated solar station.
• Hybrid capacitors based on exfoliated
• First approach is design of a novel corrosion graphite and Pb oxide were constructed and
resistant coating for the molten sulphur characterized; corresponding modeling work
electrode container (316L Stainless Steel). based on Monte Carlo simulations was also
This involves understanding the corrosion initiated. A simulation tool to study various
pathway and then coming up with a suitable combinations of electrode/electrolytesisunder
low cost coating system. progress (IISc, CSTEP).
• Initiated atomistic scale modeling on corrosion • URFC prototypes were fabricated and test
of 316 steel and are making progress towards stations were developed for performance
understanding corrosion phenomenon evaluation (IITB).
encountered under operating conditions.
Development of Novel Storage
• Corrosion studies on Na-S systems – Materials for Solar-Hydrogen Produced
Assessment on the effect of sulfur on the SS by PV Electrolytic System (HPCL,
container initiated. The ex-situ spectroscopic IISc.):
measurements provide initial information on • Metal Organic Framework (MOF) materials to
the possible coatings to be used to improve store hydrogen has been studied.
corrosion resistance properties of SS
containers used in Na-S batteries. • A few benchmarkMoF compounds have been

• Initial experimental studies on corrosion synthesized and characterized.
pathway involved in Na-S battery systems • Two MOFs synthesized by using novel organic
indicate the possible coatings to be used in linkers and their characterization completed
actual systems (HPCL, IISc).

• The second approach is design of novel low • High & Low pressure hydrogen sorption studies at
temperature electrolyte that will help avoid high room temperature currently under progress (HPCL).
temperature corrosion situation all together. • As of April 2015, 142 conference presentations
A new low temperature capable Na based and 74 journal papers came out of the work
electrolyte was predicted through quantum accomplished on the PV, CSP and SEI projects
mechanical simulations and is currently under of SERIIUS. Additionally, 4 disclosures/patents
review as a journal article. have been filed.

20 Indo-U.S. Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center