Zinc air battery development for electric vehicles

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6884854· OSTI ID:6884854

Putt, R A ^[1]

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1. Metal Air Technology Systems International, Inc., Lawrenceville, GA (USA)

This document reports the progress and accomplishments of a 16 month program to develop a rechargeable zinc-air battery for electric vehicle propulsion, from October 1988 through January 1990. The program was the first stage in the transition of alkaline zinc electrode technology, invented at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, to private industry. The LBL invention teaches the use of a copper metal foam substrate for the zinc electrode, in combination with forced convection of electrolyte through the foam during battery operation. Research at LBL showed promise that this approach would avoid shape change (densification and dendrite growth), the primary failure mode of this electrode. The program comprised five tasks; (1) cell design, (2) capacity maximization, (3) cycle testing, (4) materials qualification, and (5) a cost/design study. The cell design contemplates a plate and frame stack, with alternating zinc and oxygen electrode frame assemblies between rigid end plates. A 200 Ah cell, as may be required for the EV application, would comprise a stack of five zinc and six oxygen electrode frame/assemblies. 8 figs., 2 tabs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA); Metal Air Technology Systems International, Inc., Lawrenceville, GA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6884854
• Report Number(s): LBL-29078; ON: DE90016639
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250902 -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Performance & Testing
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330300* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Electric-Powered Systems
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
COLLOIDS
CORROSION
CURRENT DENSITY
CURRENTS
DAMAGE
DEPOSITION
DESIGN
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS
FOAMS
LEAKAGE CURRENT
LYSIS
MEASURING METHODS
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PROGRESS REPORT
SURFACE COATING
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TESTING
VEHICLES
ZINC-AIR BATTERIES