Reusable batteries

Stirred tanks are the chief kind of reactors for handling microorganisms or dissolved isolated enzymes, either as batch units or as continuous stirred tank batteries. When the enzymes are immobilized, a variety of reactor configurations is possible and continuous operation is easily implemented. The immobilization may be on granules or on sheets, and has the further advantage of making the enzymes reusable since recovery of dissolved enzymes rarely is feasible. 

The system does not display a glucose result for the first 10 h of operation to allow the equilibration of the sensor inside the body. The user is instructed to calibrate the sensor at hours 10, 12, 24, and 72, after insertion, by a blood glucose measurement. The blood glucose meter is built into the receiver, so the calibration is done automatically when a blood glucose measurement is made. After 5 days the user is instmcted to remove and dispose of the sensor support mount. The transmitter is reusable and contains replaceable batteries. The transmitter and mount are water resistant and can be worn during showers. The receiver is not water resistant because the receiver contains the open port for insertion of a blood glucose test strip. 

Spiros (Dura Pharmaceuticals) is a reusable device containing either a disposable, prefllled plastic cassette with 30 doses or an aluminum blister disk with 16 doses. The device is breath-actuated and the inhalation flow activates a battery-driven motor, which spins an impeller that disperses the drug blend. 

Automotive recycling directly brings the focus on plastics. The composition of an average car is shown in Figure 7.7. Cars have long been dismantled to recover reusable or valuable parts such as radiators, bumpers, batteries and fuel tanks before being shredded to recover the metal content. 

The lead-acid battery (Figure 10.6) is reusable because the lead sulfate formed at both electrodes is insoluble and stays on the electrode surface. Then when the battery needs recharging, the lead sulfate is available for the reverse reaction. 

The common interface dimensions allow developing and qualifying a generic range of Li-ion batteries with a wide range of similar and reusable mechanical interface properties and behaviors. Both Saft and its partners can benefit of qualification results and in-orbit heritage. 

Reusable alkaline. Used for Kght duty applications. Because of its low self-discharge, this battery is suitable for portable entertainment devices and other noncritical apphances that are used only occasionally. 

No single battery offers aU of the answers rather, each chemistry is based on a number of compromises. Table 10.16 compares the pros and cons of the six most common batteries the sealed NiCd, NiMH, SLA, Li-ion, Li-polymer, and reusable alkaline. 

One of the major drawbacks of the reusable alkaHne is the Hmited number of times the battery can be cycled. The longevity is a direct function of the depth of discharge the deeper the discharge, the fewer cycles the battery endures. 

The shelf life of an unactivated thermal battery is typically 10 to 25 years, depending upon design. Once activated and discharged, though, they are not reusable or rechargeable. 

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