Model for Reserve Battery Gas Generators

Reserve lithium oxyhalide and silver/zinc batteries are power sources of choice for many missiles and other weapons systems. These batteries achieve long shelf life by storing the liquid electrolyte separately in a reservoir. Upon activation, the electrolyte is injected quickly into the battery cells, most often using a pyrotechnic gas generator. The overall design of the activation system is arguably the most challenging aspect of developing a new battery of this type, and this is more difficult and time-consuming because no analytical tools exist to simulate the activation process. The trial-and-error procedure currently used to develop these batteries also increases the time and expense necessary to qualify a new design. To address this need, Erigo proposes to develop a comprehensive, easy-to-use computer model to simulate pyrotechnic gas generators and to interface this model to a representation of the battery itself. The proposed development plan directly leverages technology developed at Erigo to comprehensively model thermal batteries as well as an on-going effort by our collaborators to simulate fluid flow during the activation process.