Investigating the Performance of Rechargeable Zinc-Air Fuel Cell (original) (raw)
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Study of some construction parameters on the Air electrode performance of Zinc-Air semi fuel cell
2015
In this study effect of construction parameters such as KOH amount, pressure and pressing duration on efficiency of gas diffusion electrode (GDE) in Zinc-Air semi fuel cell (ZAsFC) was investigated. For this propose Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were used for comparing electrodes that constructed with different conditions. The results revealed that the pressure has important role on oxygen reduction and evolution reaction. In optimized condition exchange current for oxygen reduction and evolution were improved for 4 and 10 times respectively.
A regenerative zinc–air fuel cell
Journal of Power Sources, 2007
The zinc regenerative fuel cell (ZRFC) developed by the former Metallic Power Inc. over the period from 1998 to 2004 is described. The component technologies and engineering solutions for various technical issues are discussed in relation to their functionality in the system. The system was designed to serve as a source of backup emergency power for remote or difficult to access cell phone towers during periods when the main power was interrupted. It contained a 12 cell stack providing 1.8 kW, a separate fuel tank containing zinc pellet fuel and electrolyte, and a zinc electrolyzer to regenerate the zinc pellets during standby periods. Offsite commissioning and testing of the system was successfully performed. The intellectual property of the ZRFC technology is now owned by Teck Cominco Metals Ltd.
Zinc regeneration in rechargeable zinc-air fuel cells—A review
Zinc-air fuel cells (ZAFCs) present a promising energy source with a competing potential with the lithium-ion battery and even with proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for applications in next generation electrified transport and energy storage. The regeneration of zinc is essential for developing the next-generation, i.e., electrochemically rechargeable ZAFCs. This review aims to provide a comprehensive view on both theoretical and industrial platforms already built hitherto, with focus on electrode materials, electrode and electrolyte additives, solution chemistry, zinc deposition reaction mechanisms and kinetics, and electrochemical zinc regeneration systems. The related technological challenges and their possible solutions are described and discussed. A summary of important R&D patents published within the recent 10 years is also presented.
ChemElectroChem, 2014
After decades of development, lithium-ion batteries are not only being mass produced, but are also gaining acceptance as a viable energy source in electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. Yet, substantial publicly and privately funded research and de-velopment efforts are still underway to address concerns about their cost, safety, and longevity. Although polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) do show certain advantages over Li-ion batteries, especially when applied in electric vehicles, their state-of-the-technology is still quite far from mass manufacturing and commercialization. Thus, there are no near-term alternatives that can outperform the Li-ion batteries with their combination of high energy and power densities. Hence, alternative chemistries that are inherently safer and less expensive attract increasingly more attention. Among them, metal-air batteries and fuel cells represent a new class of promising alternative power sources, owing to their remarkably high theoretical energy output. Of all metal-air batteries/fuel cells that are currently under development, Zn-air batteries/fuel cells have the most promising potential, as they offer an appealing combination of high energy density, addressable technical challenges, low cost, and inherent safety. A renowned example is the low-power primary zinc-air hearing-aid battery. With a design combining aspects of conventional batteries and modern fuel cell designs, the current remodeled Zn-air fuel cell (ZAFC) offers even higher energy densities than its traditional Zn-air battery counterpart. Raw material costs for its components (zinc metal, aqueous alkaline electrolytes, inexpensive separator materials, and non-precious metal catalysts for cathode) are low. However, three major barriers keep hindering the ZAFC commercialization: 1) degradation of the air cathode, 2) low electrolyte capacity, and 3) difficulties with recharging zinc anodes because of zinc oxide formation.
Effects of Cell Design Parameters on Zinc-Air Battery Performance
Batteries
Zn-air batteries have attracted considerable attention from researchers owing to their high theoretical energy density and the abundance of zinc on Earth. The modification of battery component materials represent a common approach to improve battery performance. The effects of cell design on cell performance are seldom investigated. In this study, we designed four battery structures as follows. Cell 1: close-proximity electrode, Cell 2: equal-area electrode, Cell 3: large zinc electrode, and Cell 4: air channel flow. The effects of four factors: (1) carbon paste, (2) natural and forced air convection, (3) anode/cathode area ratio, and (4) anode–cathode distance were also investigated. Results showed that the addition of carbon paste on the air side of 25BC increased cell power density under forced air convection. Moreover, cell performance also improved by increasing the anode/cathode ratio and by decreasing the anode–cathode distance. These four types of cells were compared based o...
2018
The growing number of electric vehicles worldwide demands increasing electricity generation from renewable sources such as wind and solar in order to render these vehicles CO 2 neutral. However, these systems are very intermittent and need to be coupled with high capacity and fast responding energy storage systems. Zinc-air flow batteries are designed for this stationary application, using the inexpensive, safe and abundant metal zinc as active storing material. In the project Luziflow all battery components are investigated and improved regarding the efficiency during cycling and the long-term stability during operation. On the negative zinc electrode, new insights have been gained on dendrite-free zinc deposition during charging and with flowing electrolyte. On the positive air electrode stable bifunctional electrode designs with high catalytic activity have been applied in longterm operation. The final aim of the project Luziflow will be the scale-up to 100 cm² and full cell operation.
A Refuelable Zinc/Air Battery for Fleet Electric Vehicle Propulsion
SAE Technical Paper Series, 1995
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