Batteries zinc-air batteries

Zinc is commonly used as an anode in metal-air batteries. Zinc-air batteries are commercially available and used as power supply for navigation buoys, communication systems, hearing aids, and etc. [2], Mechanically rechargeable Zn-air batteries are developed recently for traction [3],... 

Other alkaline primary cells couple zinc with oxides of mercury or silver and some even use atmospheric oxygen (zinc—air cell). Frequendy, zinc powder is used in the fabrication of batteries because of its high surface area. Secondary (rechargeable) cells with zinc anodes under development are the alkaline zinc—nickel oxide and zinc—chlorine (see Batteries). 

Fig. 21. Retention of discharge capacity of miniature zinc—air battery having an unopened sealed cell after storage at 20°C (-) projected data (21).

Fig. 22. Effect of temperature on discharge efficiency of miniature zinc—air batteries (21).

Fig. 26. Schematic diagram of the separate charge and discharge modules of the Gnnerale d ElectricitH circulating zinc—air battery (91).

A. L. Almerini and S. J. Bartosh, "Simulated Field Tests on Zinc—Air Batteries," Proceedings of the 26th Power Sources Symposium, Adantic City, N.J.,... 

The capacity of single-use alkaline zinc-air cells is twice that of manganese dioxide-zinc cells. They cost less than silver oxide-Zn batteries or Li batteries. The best example of consumer usage is the hearing-aid button cell. In sealed condition it can be... 

The Zinc-air battery is more expensive than the dry cell and deteriorates relatively quickly once it is exposed to air. High capacity and a cell potential that does not vary with use offset these disadvantages. Like the dry cell, a zinc-air battery uses zinc for the anode reaction. Uniquely among batteries in common use, this battery relies on molecular oxygen from the atmosphere for its cathode reaction. 

In a zinc-air battery, zinc is oxidized and molecular oxygen is reduced, but no net change occurs in the concentrations of any species in solution. The migration of OH through the zinc paste carries current and maintains a uniform concentration. 

C19-0082. A digital watch draws 0.20 mA of current provided by a zinc-air battery, whose net reaction is... 

C19-0089. Explain why zinc-air batteries find extensive use for cameras and pacemakers but are not used to start automobiles. 

There are two major types of household batteries (a) Primary batteries are those that cannot be reused. They include alkaline/manganese, carbon-zinc, mercuric oxide, zinc-air, silver oxide, and other types of button batteries, (b) Secondary batteries are those that can be reused secondary batteries (rechargeable) include lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and potentially nickel-hydrogen. 

Mercuric oxide batteries are being gradually replaced by new technologies such as silver oxide and zinc-air button batteries that contain less mercury. 

D—Leclanche Zinc anode Carbon, silver chloride, and air Primary and secondary Zinc—air batteries, carbon—zinc batteries, and silver chloride-zinc batteries... 

Iliev I., Kaisheva A., Stoynov Z. Pauling H.J, Mechanically rechargeable Zinc-air cells, Proceedings of the 3th International Battery Recycling Congress, July 2 - 4, 1997, Noordwijk Aan Zee, the Netherlands. 

The theoretical data [1] shows that Li and Ca possess very high energy density (13172 and 4560 Ah/kg respectively) but these metals are not suitable to be used as anodes because of their instability in aqueous electrolytes. The theoretical energy densities of Mg and A1 are also high (6846 Wh/kg and 8212 Wh/kg). It is shown that some alloys of Mg and A1 can be successfully used as anodes, especially in metal-air cells with neutral electrolytes. The theoretical energy density of Zn is much lower than that of Li and Ca, but the self-discharge of Zn can be effectively suppressed by the use of suitable inhibitors. That s why the zinc-air batteries with KOH electrolyte are the first metal-air system brought into service. 

The high capacity, low power zinc-air cells from the types ZV500 and ZV3000 are used as a power supply of navigation buoys in Baltic see for more than 10 years. Batteries from these cells operate for more than 1 year continuously. Zinc-air cells from the same types are successfully used in Bulgarian Himalayan expeditions (Lhotze 1981, Everest 1984 and Anapuma 1986) as power supply of the telecommunication system and electric light at the base camp. It must be underlined that in these cases the zinc-air cells... 

Figure 17. Voltage and power of a 12 cell battery, consisting of zinc-air cells ZV300 as a function of the current.

In Fig. 17 we have presented the current-voltage and the power characteristics of 12-cells battery from the cells type ZV300. It must be reminded that, when the zinc anode in the primary zinc-air cells is discharged, the cell is out of operation. By this, the air electrodes, which in principle can operate for a long time, are lost. In order to avoid this inconvenience, mechanically rechargeable zinc-air cells were developed [14]. The essential feature of the mechanically rechargeable zinc-air cell is that the air electrodes are used many times. 

A variety of primary zinc-air cell and batteries are designed with capacity ranging from 100 Ah to 3300 Ah, operating at nominal currents from 2 to 40A at temperatures in the range +40 -t- -40°C. Mechanically rechargeable zinc-air cell are also developed and tested in experimental electric cars and scooters. 

The overall reaction in zinc-air battery with alkaline electrolyte at the beginning of discharge may by written as follows ... 

Other battery technologies include sodium-sulfur which was used in early Ford EVs, and zinc-air. Zinc appeared in GM s failed Electrovette EV in the late 1970s. Zinc-air batteries have been promoted by a number of companies, including Israel s Electric Fuel, Ltd. Zinc is inexpensive and these batteries have six times the energy density of lead-acid. A car with zinc-air batteries could deliver a 400 mile range, but the German postal service found that these batteries cannot be conventionally recharged. 

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