Mercuric oxide batteries

Miniature zinc—mercuric oxide batteries have a zinc anode and a cathode containing mercuric oxide... 

Eig. 11. Typical discharge curve comparison for zinc—mercuric oxide batteries (-) model 325, HgO, and (-... 

Miniature zinc—mercuric oxide batteries may be made with either KOH or NaOH as the electrolyte. Cells having KOH operate more efficiently than those having NaOH at high current drains (Eig. 12) because of the higher conductivity of KOH. On the other hand, batteries with KOH are more difficult to seal, cells with NaOH are more resistant to leakage. 

Fig. 13. Effect of temperature on discharge efficiency (a) at 270 mA-h of miniature 2inc—mercuric oxide batteries type EP675E, and (b) at 175 mA-h of...

Eig. 14. Retention of discharge capacity of miniature 2inc—mercuric oxide batteries after storage at temperatures of A, 40°C B, 20°C and C, 0°C (21). 

Although the 2inc—mercuric oxide battery has many excellent qualities, increasing environmental concerns has led to a de-emphasis in the use of this... 

Fig. 15. Relative discharge curves for (-) 2inc—silver oxide, and (—) 2inc—mercuric oxide batteries. Cells are of equal volume (21).

The following are important legal terminologies for this section. The term mercuric-oxide battery means a battery that uses a mercuric-oxide electrode. 

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

Recycle waste batteries if possible. Batteries with high levels of mercury or silver can be recovered for the refining process. The mercuric oxide batteries can be targeted for recollection and... 

Miniature zinc-mercuric oxide batteries function efficiently over a wide range of temperatures and have good storage life. 

Although die zinc-mercuric oxide battery has many excellent qualities, increasing environmental concerns have led to a deemphasis in the use of this system. The main environmental difficulty is in the disposal of the cell. Both the mercuric oxide in the fresh cell and the mercury rcducrion product in the used cell have long-term toxic effects. 

The estimates for the years 1995 and 2000 do not reflect recent state, Federal, or battery manufacturers efforts to reduce the mercury content of batteries. Since 1992, several states have restricted mercury use in batteries and/or banned the sale of mercuric oxide batteries. Federal legislation to restrict mercury use in batteries is pending. The battery industry has eliminated mercury as an intentional additive in alkaline batteries, except in button cells. d The estimated contribution of mercury from fluorescent lamps disposal to MSWwas calculated based on industry estimates of a 4% growth rate in sales in conjunction with a 53% decrease in mercury content between 1989-1995, and a further 34% decrease in mercury content by the year 2000 (to 15 mg mercury per 4-foot fluorescent lamp (National Electric Manufacturers Association (1995). 

SEC. 205. LIMITATIONS ON THE SALE OF BUTTON CELL MERCURIC-OXIDE BATTERIES. No person shall sell, offer for sale, or offer for promotional purposes any button cell mercuric-oxide battery for use in the United States on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 

Iowa has a comprehensive collection, transportation, and recycling or disposal program for Ni-Cd, household small sealed lead-acid, and mercuric-oxide batteries. Each of these battery types is banned from disposal in MSW. Manufacturers must provide a telephone number to consumers, offering information on returning batteries for recycling or proper disposal. Costs of the program may be built into the original cost of the battery. 

The goal of these and other researchers was to develop a totally implantable pacemaker. Bioengineer Wilson Greatbatch and heart surgeon William Chardack achieved this milestone with their first successfiil human implant in 1960. Greatbatch used then-novel transistors and an epoxy-encased Ruben-Mallory zinc mercuric oxide battery in his design. [5]... 

Cadmium/Mercuric Oxide Battery. The substitution of cadmium for the zinc anode (the cadmium/mercuric oxide cell) results in a lower-voltage but very stable system, with a shelf life of up to 10 years as well as performance at high and low temperatures. Because of the lower voltage, the watthour capacity of this battery is about 60% of the zinc/mercuric oxide battery capacity. Again, because of the hazardous characteristics of mercury and cadmium, the use of this battery is limited. 

Volumetric energy density is, at times, a more useful parameter than gravimetric specific energy, particularly for button and small batteries, where the weight is insignificant. The denser batteries, such as the zinc/mercuric oxide battery, improve their relative position when compared on a volumetric basis, as shown in Table 7.4 and Fig. 7.9. The chapters on the individual battery systems include a family of curves giving the hours of service each battery system will deliver at various discharge rates and temperatures. 

The alkaline zinc/mercuric oxide battery is noted for its high capacity per unit volume, constant voltage output, and good storage eharacteristics. The system has been known for over a century, but it was not until World War II that a practical battery was developed by Samuel Ruben in response to a requirement for a battery with a high capacity-to-volume ratio which would withstand storage under tropical conditions. - ... 

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