Battery Types and Sizes

Batteries, although they come in many types and sizes, are all based on redox reactions. In a typical redox reaction carried out in the laboratory—say, the reaction of zinc metal with Ag+ to yield Zn2+ and silver metal—the reactants are simply mixed in a flask and electrons are transferred by direct contact between the reactants. In a battery, however, the two reactants are kept in separate compartments and the electrons are transferred through a wire running between them. 

The search for the perfect battery has yielded hundreds of different types and sizes of batteries, lliese range from small consumer cells in the foreground to extremely large military batteries. 

As seen in the previous section there are numerous types of lithium batteries. In this section, we shall look at the generic hazards of primary (with liquid or solid cathode) and rechargeable batteries. There is much controversy over the reactivity of several individual chemistry types. It is the authors opinion that there are inherent hazards associated with any battery type or energy source and in most situations the hazards and size are directly related. In a similar scenario, lithium batteries in general cannot be categorized into being more or less hazardous than any other chemistry without knowing the exact type and size of the systems to be compared. 

There is no automatic mechanism that can sort the various types of lithium batteries. There are expensive automated systems that can sort lithium fi"om nickel, alkaline, etc. As a result, lithium types must be either sorted by the user or at the processing facility. This is usually a very tedious and time-consuming process. This process is necessary since some lithium systems can and will contaminate processes. Several types and sizes of lithium batteries and other also have the potential to react violently. If not properly sorted, facilities, personnel, and equipment can be placed at high risk. Improper sorting can be extremely costly at a minimum. 

The proeess can be used for all types and sizes of lithium batteries. 

Depending on the type and size of the installation use floor coverings resistive to the electrolyte or place in suitable trays. The warning sign WS2 according to DIN 40008 Part 3 Warning for Hazards from Batteries must be provided (Figure 6.4). 

Dependent on type and size normally 2.6 to 2.7 V and for old and warm batteries 0.2 V/cell less... 

Device nominal current, charging current, and charging time. Adjustment of the DNC ( = initial charging current) for type and size of the battery is determined by the time available for recharge. Standard value for the charging current is 0.5 to I5 times I5. The electrolytes temperature is kept within acceptable limits for these charging currents. 

This section briefly summarizes rechargeable battery types and their performance requirements for military applications with an emphasis on reliability, safety, longevity, and portability. Rechargeable batteries and the performance requirements most ideal for C-IEDs, UAVs, UGVs, UUWVs, electric power modules for special forces operating in remote and isolated locations, covert communications systems, and other mihtary equipment applications are discussed with an emphasis on weight, size, reliabihty, and cost. Performance characteristics and major benefits of... 

The physicochemical properties of carbon are highly dependent on its surface structure and chemical composition [66—68], The type and content of surface species, particle shape and size, pore-size distribution, BET surface area and pore-opening are of critical importance in the use of carbons as anode material. These properties have a major influence on (9IR, reversible capacity <2R, and the rate capability and safety of the battery. The surface chemical composition depends on the raw materials (carbon precursors), the production process, and the history of the carbon. Surface groups containing H, O, S, N, P, halogens, and other elements have been identified on carbon blacks [66, 67]. There is also ash on the surface of carbon and this typically contains Ca, Si, Fe, Al, and V. Ash and acidic oxides enhance the adsorption of the more polar compounds and electrolytes [66]. 

The maximum values of electric power and unit output of electrochemical cells vary within wide limits. The total current load admitted by individual electrolyzers for the electrochemical production of various materials in plant or pilot installations (their capacity) is between 10 A and 200 kA, while the current loads that can be sustained by different types of battery (their current ratings) are between 10 A and 20 kA. Corresponding differences exist in the linear dimensions of the electrodes (between 5 mm and 3 m) as well as in the overall mass and size of the reactors. 

The numerous existing battery types vary in their size, stractural features, and nature of the chemical reactions. They vary accordingly in their performance and parameters. This variety reflects the diverse conditions nnder which cells operate, each field of application imposing its specific reqnirements. 

Gel polymer lithium-ion batteries replace the conventional liquid electrolytes with an advanced polymer electrolyte membrane. These cells can be packed in lightweight plastic packages as they do not have any free electrolytes and they can be fabricated in any desired shape and size. They are now increasingly becoming an alternative to liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries, and several battery manufacturers. such as Sanyo. Sony, and Panasonic have started commercial production.Song et al. have recently reviewed the present state of gel-type polymer electrolyte technology for lithium-ion batteries. They focused on four plasticized systems, which have received particular attention from a practical viewpoint, i.e.. poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). poly (acrylonitrile) (PAN). ° poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). - and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) based electrolytes. ... 

It has been a long time since the invention of the lead-acid battery, but it still represents the most important secondary chemical power source—both in number of types and diversity of application. The lead-acid battery has maintained its leading role for so many decades due to its competitive electrical characteristics and price and due to its adaptability to new applications. It is manufactured in a variety of sizes and designs, ranging from less than 1 to over 10 000 A h.206... 

The useful life of a practical primary battery is determined principally by the nature of its discharge pattern. Thus the best way of assessing a system for some particular application is to subject it to a discharge which simulates the service conditions. Tests have therefore been developed which recognize the principal function of various types of battery and specify the generation of intermittent or continuous currents of appropriate levels. Such procedures have been standardized for batteries of uniform size and cell configuration by bodies such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). New test routines are continually being devised to keep pace... 

Three reviews describing applications of diffusion denuders have been published. The doctoral dissertation of Ferm (31) reflects considerable experience with single-tube denuders for the measurement of a variety of species. The review by Ali et al. (32) is extensive it provides an excellent historical and theoretical background and summarizes the literature based on the type of analyte gas determined. The focus of the most recent review, by Cheng (19), is diffusion batteries used for size discrimination of aerosols as well as diffusion denuders. Various physical designs are discussed in some detail in that review. 

Cylindrical alkaline cells are made in only a few standard sizes and have only one important chemistry. In contrast, miniature alkaline cells arc made in a large number of different sizes, using many different chemical systems. Whereas the cylindrical alkaline batteries are multipurpose batteries, used for a wide variety of devices under a variety of discharge conditions, miniature alkaline batteries arc highly specialized, with the cathode material, separator type, and electrolyte all chosen to match the particular application. 

Small lithium batteries are commonly used in small, portable electronic devices such as watches, thermometers, calculators, etc., as backup batteries in computers and communication equipment, and in remote-control car locks. They are available in many shapes and sizes, with the common variety being a 3-volt coin -type manganese battery, 20 mm in diameter and 1.6-4 mm thick. The heavy electrical demands of many of these devices make lithium batteries a particularly attractive option. In particular, lithium batteries can easily support the brief and heavy current demands of devices such as digital cameras. They also maintain a higher voltage for a longer period than alkaline cells. 

The second method uses a real accumulator the battery container shall be equipped with a battery made up of cells of the number, type and capacity it is intended to contain in service. An overcharging current shall be passed through the battery to produce hydrogen at a constant flow corresponding to the number, size, type of construction and capacity of the cells in the battery. The overcharging current is determined by... 

Table 1. Battery types according to size [ 1 ] (by permission of Arnold C. A. Vincent and B. Scrosati, Modern Batteries. An Introduction to Electrochemical Power Sources, 2nd edition, 1997).

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