Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A zinc-air cell employing a packed bed anode

  • Papers
  • Published:
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A cell with a particulate zinc electrode and a monofunctional air electrode has been studied on a laboratory scale. The cell has the feature of relying on solutal natural convection, rather than a pump, for electrolyte circulation. Cells of 80 and 400 cm2 (air electrode area) have been discharged at constant or stepped current. In two cases cell discharge was halted and restarted after many hours with little or no impact on cell voltage. Based on the laboratory data a preliminary design of a 32 kWh (115 MJ) battery was completed. The projected specific energy of this cell is 79.2 Wh kg−1 (637 kJ kg−1), while the peak specific power is 111 W kg−1 (20% depth of discharge), meeting of the US Department of Energy targets for a battery for an electric van.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R. E. Biddick and J. W. Cretzmeyer, in 26th Power Source Symposium (1975) pp. 152–53.

  2. K. F. Blurton and A. F. Sammells,J. Power Sources 4 (1979) 263–79.

    Google Scholar 

  3. G. Duperray and G. Marcellin, in 31st Power Source Symposium (1984) pp. 489–506.

  4. J. McBreen,J. Electroanal. Chem. 168 (1984) 415–32.

    Google Scholar 

  5. L. G. O'Connell and C. J. Anderson, ‘Energy storage systems for electric vehicles’, Final Report, UCRL53053-80, Vol. 2 (15 December 1980).

  6. D. A. J. Rand,J. Power Sources 4 (1979) 101–43.

    Google Scholar 

  7. P. N. Ross, ‘Air systems overview’, in Extended Abstracts, 9th Battery and Electrochemical Contractors Conference, Alexandria, VA (November 1989).

  8. J. Hendrix and W. Visscher,J. Appl. Electrochem. 16 (1986) 175–88.

    Google Scholar 

  9. H. B. Sierra Alcazar, P. D. Nguyen, G. E. Mason and A. A. Pinoli, ‘The secondary slurry-zinc: air battery’, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Report no. 27466, UC-210 (July 1989).

  10. H.-S. Choi, M.S. Thesis, University of California, Berkeley, (December, 1986). LBL report no. 22705.

  11. A. Marshall and N. A. Hampson,Electroanal. Chem. and Int. Electrochem. 59 (1975) 19–32.

    Google Scholar 

  12. P. C. Foller,J. Appl. Electrochem. 17 (1987) 1296–303.

    Google Scholar 

  13. R. D. Armstrong and M. F. Bell,Electrochim. Acta 21 (1976) 155–56.

    Google Scholar 

  14. V. E. Dmitrenks and M. S. Zubov,J. Appl. Chem. USSR 59 (1986) 632.

    Google Scholar 

  15. J. S. Drury and N. A. Hampson,J. Electroanal. Chem. and Int. Electrochem. 50 (1974) 292–94.

    Google Scholar 

  16. P. C. Foller,J. Appl. Electrochem. 16 (1986) 527–43.

    Google Scholar 

  17. R. W. Lewis and J. Turner,—ibid. (1975) 343–49.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and Department of Materials Science and Mineral Engineering, University of California, 94720, Berkeley, CA, USA

    J. W. Evans & G. Savaskan

Authors
  1. J. W. Evans
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Savaskan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Evans, J.W., Savaskan, G. A zinc-air cell employing a packed bed anode. J Appl Electrochem 21, 105–110 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01464289

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01464289

Keywords

Search

Navigation