Lithium requirements for electric vehicles using lithium-water-air batteries. [Mechanically rechargeable]
The lithium--water--air battery is a new primary battery of such exceptional power and energy that it is a candidate to provide propulsion for electric automobiles of the future. In the electrochemical reaction involved, lithium, oxygen, and CO/sub 2/ are combined; Li/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ is left as a by-product to be removed from the battery and recycled. A subcompact car weighing 910 kg would transform 7.2 kg of lithium in traveling 320 km at 97 km/hr. At least an equal amount of lithium per car would be unavailable because of the need to recycle the by-product (Li/sub 2/CO/sub 3/). Thus, a minimum of 14.4 kg of lithium per car is required to support a transportation system based upon this power source. Assuming that, in the year 2000, 12 to 16 percent of all vehicles are powered by lithium--water--air batteries, we will need 234,000 to 425,000 metric tons of lithium. This amount is somewhat less than the total known U.S. lithium reserves; but, if the current rate of consumption of lithium for other purposes continues, the supply of lithium will have to be increased. 4 figures, 5 tables (auth)
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 7200035
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-77440; CONF-760112-2
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Symposium on United States lithium resources and requirements by the year 2000, Lakewood, CO, USA, 22 Jan 1976
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
LITHIUM-WATER-AIR BATTERIES
LITHIUM
RESERVES
PERFORMANCE
AUTOMOBILES
DESIGN
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
ALKALI METALS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
METAL-GAS BATTERIES
METALS
RESOURCES
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250904* - Energy Storage- Batteries- Other Applications
330300 - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Electric-Powered Systems
250903 - Energy Storage- Batteries- Materials
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& Auxiliaries