The working principle and applications of the two main types of thermal batteries, Thermocouple and AMTEC, are explained. Thermocouple and AMTEC are the two main types of thermal batteries. The inorganic salt electrolytes are relatively non-conductive solids at ambient temperatures. Integral to the thermal battery are pyrotechnic materials scaled to supply sufficient thermal energy to melt the electrolyte.
We can define a thermal battery as an energy storage system coming from a source that generates it (for example a heat pump) for subsequent use.
Thermal batteries exploit the physical principle of change of state to store energy in the form of heat.
Thermally activated (“thermal”) batteries are primary batteries that use molten salts as electrolytes and employ an internal pyrotechnic (heat) source to bring the battery stack to operating temperatures. They are primarily used for military applications, such as missiles and ordnance, and in nuclear weapons.
Energy efficiency: Thermal batteries offer high energy efficiency , as they can store large amounts of energy with minimal losses during the storage and recovery process, as well as maintaining constant temperature during the discharge phase.
Thermal batteries are categorized as reserve batteries, in that they can be stored for long periods of time (decades) without degradation, an unusual attribute for electrochemical systems. You might find these chapters and articles relevant to this topic. P.C. Butler, ... P.J. Masset, in Encyclopedia of Electrochemical Power Sources, 2009
OverviewHistoryCopper/ammoniaTellurideFulvalene dirutheniumSee also
A thermoelectric battery stores energy when charged by converting heat into chemical energy and produces electricity when discharged. Such systems potentially offer an alternative means of disposing of waste heat from plants that burn fossil fuels and/or nuclear energy.