Aluminum-air power source

The present section illustrates how calculations from basic thermodynamic data can lead to open-circuit cell potential in any condition of temperature and pressure. Chemical power sources, with the exception of fuel cells, are all based on the corrosion of a metal connected to the negative terminal. The aluminum-air power source, that owes its energy to the corrosion of aluminum in caustic, was chosen for this example because of the relative simple chemistry. 

Table 4.3 Thermodynamic Data of Pure Species Involved in the Operation of an Aluminum-Air Power Source...

Zinc, magnesium, aluminum and their alloys are used in metal-air power sources as anodic material. The use of aluminum is the most perspective because its high energy-capacity (3.3 A hour/g) that allows to get high specific energy 400 Wt hour/kg at relatively small cost [6]. Aluminum-air... 

Anodic oxidation of valve metals, particularly, aluminum, has attracted considerable attention because of its wide application in various fields of technology. Traditionally, aluminum is anodized in order to protect the metal against corrosion, to improve its abrasion and adsorption properties, etc.1 The more recent and rapidly growing applications of anodic aluminas in electronics are due to their excellent dielectric properties, perfect planarity, and good reproducibility in production. Finally, ways have recently been found to use the energy potential of aluminum oxidation for chemical power sources of the metal-air type2,3 and other electrochemical applications. 

Research the aluminum-air battery, and the sodium-sulfur battery. Both are rechargeable batteries that have been used to power electric cars. In each case, describe the design of the battery, the half-reactions that occur at the electrodes, and the overall cell reaction. Also, describe the advantages and disadvantages of using the battery as a power source for a car. 

Yang, S.,Yang, W., Sun,G. Knickle,H. Secondary current density distrihution analysis of an aluminum-air cell. J. Power Sources 161 2 (2006), pp. 1412 1419. 

Battlefield Power Unit. This power source, called the Special Operations Forces Aluminum Air (SOFAL) battery, was developed as a reserve system to support specialized military communications equipment in covert field operations. The SOFAL weighs approximately 7.3 kg after activation and powers 12 and 24 VDC equipment with pulse currents up to 10 Amps, continuous drains up to 4 Amps and has a design capacity of 120 Ah. To minimize weight, this battery is carried to the field dry and can be activated with any source of water. 

T. Dougerty, A. Karpinski, J. Stannard, W. HaUiop, V. Alminauskas, and J. Billingsley, Aluminum-Air Battery for Communications Equipment, Proc. 37th Power Sources Conf., Cherry IBll, NJ, 1996. 

New lithium-based and the more conventional Ni-Zn batteries may eventually replace lead-acid batteries as new technology and advanced manufacturing techniques reduce their costs. Metal-air batteries, both rechargeable (zinc) and nonrechargeable fuel-cell types (aluminum), may ultimately be successful as an economical primary source for short-trip transportation. The demand for increasing electronic equipment will require increased auxiliary power, which may be fulfilled by improved lithium-based and Ni-Zn systems. 

A simple explosive like black powder is a mixture. The oxygen source is potassium nitrate, and the fuel is charcoal with sulfur added to aid the burning. Hour and air is even a simpler explosive but powerful enough to blow a grain elevator apart. Even the most modem explosives still use a partial mixture, such as adding a reactive powdered metal like magnesium or aluminum to the explosive. 

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