Lithium--water--air battery project: progress during the month of March 1977. [LLL]

The electrode behavior of the system, Ca/aq.-NaOH, NaCl, was investigated at ambient temperatures. Limiting currents were noted for intermediate concentrations of NaOH and NaCl, while rapid passivation at high ratios of NaOH to NaCl occurred. Low ratios of NaOH/NaCl yielded uncontrollable hydrogen evolution and rapid calcium dissolution. A model of the aqueous cell of the proposed system for the production of lithium was completed. The apparatus allows simultaneous determination of current efficiency and electrode polarization for the Li(Hg)/aq.-LiOH electrode upon cathodic polarization. Cooling curves indicate the existence of a LiI--KI--LiCl eutectic with a melting point of approximately 230/sup 0/C; possible errors are being considered arising from artifacts of the system and possible impurities in the salts. 2 figures.