Zinc-air fuel cell

Leclanche or dry cell Alkaline Cell Silver-Zinc Reuben Cell Zinc-Air Fuel Cell Lithium Iodine Lithium-Sulfur Dioxide Lithium-Thionyl Chloride Lithium-Manganese Dioxide Lithium-Carbon Monofluoride... 

Another type of zinc-air system is designed and investigated - the so-called zinc-air fuel cell. It consists of a cell with two air electrodes and an inert anode. Slurry from zinc power dispersed into the electrolyte is circulating through the cell, by which the zinc particles are discharged on an inert electrode. 

Direct methanol fuel cell is actually a PEM fuel cell that uses methanol as fuel. Zinc/air fuel cell by definition is not a fuel cell (or at best it is a semifuel cell). Each type of fuel cells has different chemistry, operates at different temperatures and is at a different stage of development. Most of the development and demonstration to date has been with the PEM fuel cells. 

Zinc-air fuel cell (ZAFC)—Electricity is produced as zinc and oxygen are mixed in the presence of an electrolyte, producing zinc oxide. This design can replace batteries. 

Note PAFC phosphoric acid fuel cell PEMFC proton exchange membrane fuel cell/polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell MBFC microbiological fuel cell DMFC direct methanol conversion fuel cell AFC alkaline fuel cell MCFC molten carbonate fuel cell SOFC solid oxide fuel cell ZAFC zinc air fuel cell. 

Neburchilov V, Wang H, Martin JJ, Qu W (2010) A review on air cathodes for zinc-air fuel cells. J Power Sources 195 1271... 

On the basis of studies performed by the author on materials best suited for fabrication of rechargeable battery cells, it is found that lithium, nickel, cadmium, polymer, zinc, spinel, and manganese are most suitable for manufacturing the rechargeable battery packs widely used in EVs and HEVs. Although zinc is widely used in the manufacturing of zinc-air fuel cells, it can also be used in the fabrication of rechargeable battery packs for EVs and HEVs. 

Zinc-air cells are much cheaper than lithium cells, despite the benefits of zinc-air fuel cells or battery packs. Some EVs and HEVs manufacturers are investigating other battery packs, such as lithium-iron-sulfide, lithium-manganese, and nickel-zinc battery packs as shown in Figure 4.6. 

---