Batteries advanced systems

As of this writing, there is Httle commercialization of advanced battery systems. Small rechargeable lithium button cells have been commercialized, however, by Sanyo, Matsushita (Panasonic), and Toshiba. These cells are intended for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) use in appHcations such as memory backup and are not available to the general consumer. 

Efforts to develop commercially viable EV versions of advanced battery systems continue. The ultimate goal is to develop battery technology suitable for practical, consumer-acceptable electric vehicles. The United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) has been formed with the express purpose of accelerating development of practical EV batteries (83). 

Huggins RA., Polyphase Alloys as Rechargeable Electrodes in Advanced Battery Systems. J. Power Sources 1988 22 341-50. 

As of this writing, there is little commercialization of advanced battery systems. 

Huggins RA. Polyphase alloys as rechargeable electrodes in advanced battery systems. J Power Sources 1988 22 341-350. 

Products and processes based on electrochemical phenomena at present contribute nearly 30 billion per year to the gross national product of the United States. New additional markets having annual sales on the order of 20 billion are projected for electrochemical products and processes within the next decade. These markets include microelectronics, sensors, surface processing, membrane separations, advanced batteries and fuel cells, and corrosion control, among others. At present, however, there are no major federal programs focused on the broad range of electrochemical phenomena that underpin these areas, with the exception of batteries and fuel cells. (For the latter two areas, research recommendations are summarized in earlier reports—NMAB-390, Assessment of Research Needs for Advanced Battery Systems, and NMAB-411, Fuel Cell Materials Technology in Vehicular Propulsion.)... 

Committee on Battery Materials Technology. Assessment of Research Needs for Advanced Battery Systems. National Materials Advisory... 

Optimized operation of a BMS is not only important for lead acid batteries. It is even more important for advanced battery systems such as lithium batteries and high-temperature batteries. Indeed, successful operation of high-temperature... 

A closer examination of hazardous waste characteristics of battery materials does reveal differences between battery chemistries. The toxicity of conventional battery materials such as lead, antimony and cadmium are well known, and therefore they are usually recovered as much as possible rather than disposing of them. Strict emission controls are required to prevent their release into the air or water. The problems with advanced battery systems in this regard are not quite so severe, but there still may be reactive, corrosive, or toxic materials present that must be dealt with during the recycling process. 

Another conventional battery technology that has been considered for EVs is Ni/Cd. Although capable of somewhat better performance than lead-acid in some respects, this battery is also more costly and does not equal the performance levels possible with advanced battery systems. It is unlikely to see widespread use in EV applications in the U.S. although there are reported to be more than 10,000 EVs using Ni/Cd batteries presently on the road in Europe [23]. Because of the toxicity of cadmium, which precludes disposal, and the value of the nickel, there are well-developed processes for recycling of Ni/Cd batteries. Most of the facilities in Europe are dedicated Ni/Cd battery recycling plants. 

RECYCLING PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE ADVANCED BATTERY SYSTEMS Sodium/Sulfur (Na/S)... 

Much of the effort to develop the Na/S battery was aimed at its use in electric vehicles. Current applications of this advanced battery system are now mainly in the stationary battery area, but feasibility studies were done on the recycling of this system before the EV development efforts were suspended. Sodium/sulfur batteries contain reactive and corrosive materials, but not toxic ones. By treatment of the battery waste, the reactivity problems can be removed. 

Batteries for storage of electricity from solar and wind generation farms are a key element in the success of sustainability. Electric vehicles are the second link in the chain powered by advanced battery systems. This section describes the various devices used in electrochemical energy storage including an overview of electrochemical processes and devices. 

Thermal aspects of batteries and their consequences on automotive applications can be briefly reminded here. In general, it would be easy to imagine that heat losses in advanced battery systems could be great. The maximum output power typically reaches more than several kilowatts. If we assume that the energy efficiency of a battery is 90% in these cases, there is a deficit of 10% due to the loss of energy as heat within the battery. 

One of the reasons we were able to develop the first advanced battery system design project in the world without any prior studies or references is that we carefully formulated our pivotal yet simple rules to govern any single activity during our research and development, which are shown in Figure 5.11. Reliability is one of the most important factors... 

In Europe, the drive system of the Impact propelled the Opel Impuls2, a conversion vehicle based on the Opel Astra Caravan in 1991. A new, specifically developed AC induction drive unit with IGBT inverter technology was used to build a small fleet of Impuls vehicles see Figure 8.4). The fleet served as an automotive test bed for the integration of various advanced battery systems such as nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, sodium-nickel chloride, sodium-sulfur, and sealed lead-acid. 

Several test facilities are in existence in the U.S. for the evaluation of improved and advanced battery systems. Batteries of all types are tested at Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories. Certain tests for satellite and military applications are conducted at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Ind. There are also specialized testing facilities established by companies in the private sector and test facilities in other countries. 

Portable power applications continue to drive research and development of advanced battery systems. Often, the extra energy content and considerations of portability have outweighed economics when a system is considered. This has been true of lithium battery technologies for the past thirty years and for lithium ion battery systems, which evolved from the early lithium battery development hi recent years, the need for portable power has accelerated due to the miniaturization of electronic pliances where in some cases the battery system is as much as half the weight and volume of the powered device. 

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