Nickel-hydrogen cell low-earth-orbit life test update
Abstract
When individual pressure vessel (IPV) nickel-hydrogen (Ni/H2) cells were selected as the energy storage system for Space Station Freedom in March of 1986, a limited database existed on life and performance characteristics of these cells in a low earth orbit (LEO) regime. Therefore, NASA LeRC initiated a Ni/H2 cell test program with the primary objectives of building a test facility, procuring cells from existing NASA contracts, and screening several cell designs by life testing in a LEO 35 percent depth of discharge (DOD) scenario. A total of 40 cells incorporating 13 designs were purchased from Yardney, Hughes, and Eagle-Picher. Thirty-two of the cells purchased were 65 A-hr nameplate capacity and eight cells were 50 A-Hr. Yardney and Eagle-Picher cells were built with both the Air Force recirculating and the advanced back-to-back electrode stack configurations and incorporated 31 and 26 percent KOH. Acceptance testing of the first delivered cells began in March of 1988, with life testing following in September of that year. Performance comparisons of these cells are made here while specifically addressing life test data relative to the design differences.
- Publication:
-
IECEC 1991; Proceedings of the 26th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, Volume 3
- Pub Date:
- 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991iece....3..263F
- Keywords:
-
- Earth Orbital Environments;
- Environmental Tests;
- Life (Durability);
- Nickel Hydrogen Batteries;
- Pressure Vessels;
- Space Station Freedom;
- Space Station Power Supplies;
- Data Bases;
- Electrodes;
- Energy Storage;
- Performance Tests;
- Potassium Hydroxides;
- Test Facilities;
- Spacecraft Propulsion and Power