High performance metal/air fuel cells. Part 1. General review. [Li, Al, Ca, Cd, Mg]

Technical Report · Mon Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7084912· OSTI ID:7084912

Cooper, J. F.

Metal/air fuel cells are reviewed in terms of their potential application in electric vehicles. Attention is focused on those metals (light alkali and alkaline earth metals, and aluminum) which, in combination with oxygen, have theoretical energy densities (2--13 kWh/kg-metal) exceeding that of gasoline (utilized in automobiles at 2--3 kWh/kg). Lithium and aluminum have yielded 8- and 4 kWh/kg, respectively, in laboratory experimental cells. The slurry Zn/air system achieves 0.85 kWh/kg-Zn in prototype vehicle cells and is reviewed for comparison. Calcium can probably yield 1.8 kWh/kg-Ca, but its potential as a fuel has not yet been fully explored. The remaining metals appear to be unsuitable for use in aqueous electrolyte fuel cells. The discharge characteristics of lithium, aluminum, and (possibly) calcium/air cells indicate the potential for electric vehicles of the highway performance and minimum range (300 miles) of subcompact automobiles, rapid refueling for unlimited range extension, and the storage in the fuel cell of sufficient metal for ranges in excess of 1000 miles. Barriers to the concept are the economic necessity of recycling cell reaction products (except in the case of calcium), the expansion or creation of vast metal production industries, and the change-over of existing service station infrastructures to allow electric vehicle servicing. The energy efficiency of a transportation system using aluminum was estimated using data on the current aluminum production industry. The total estimated cost of ownership and operation of an aluminum/air cell was 3.0--3.6 cents/km. The relative rarity of lithium would complicate its use. 6 tables.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7084912
• Report Number(s): UCID-17558(Pt.1)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
AIR
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
DISPERSIONS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUIDS
GASES
LITHIUM
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
METALS
MIXTURES
PERFORMANCE
REVIEWS
SOLUTIONS
VEHICLES