Lithium/Thionyl Chloride Batteries

The lithium/thionyl chloride battery is one of the highest energy systems available, delivering up to 480 Wh/kg (950 Wh/liter). Due to its high energy content, care must be taken to ensure that cells and batteries are properly designed for each application and used in a safe manner. In addition to their high energy content, these batteries contain liquid thionyl chloride, which is toxic by inhalation and corrosive to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes on contact. Continuous inhalation of the fumes may cause lung damage. Thionyl chloride has an LC50 of 500 ppm for 1 h exposure.1 On contact with water (moist air), thionyl chloride reacts violently to give off corrosive fumes of HC1 and SO2.