Batteries
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Primary batteries
Primary batteries are not easily rechargeable, and consequently are discharged then disposed of. Many of these are “dry cells” – cells in which the electrolyte is not a liquid but a paste or similar. The cell electrochemical reactions are not easily reversible and cell is operated until the active components in the electrodes are exhausted. Generally primary batteries have a higher capacity and initial voltage than rechargeable batteries.
Applications:
- Portable devices
- Lighting
- Toys
- Memory back-up
- Watches/clocks
- Hearing aids
- Radios
- Medical implants
- Defence related systems such as missiles
Advantages:
-
Inexpensive
- Convenient
- Lightweight
- Good shelf life
- High Energy density at low/moderate discharges
Disadvantages:
-
Can only be used once
- Leads to large amount of waste batteries to be recycled
- Batteries put into landfill sites have severe environmental impact
- Life cycle energy efficiency < 2 %
The table below demonstrates the properties of various primary batteries:
System | Nominal Cell Voltage (V) | Capacity (Wh/kg) | Advantages | Disadvantages | Applications |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.50 |
65 |
Lowest cost; variety of shapes and sizes |
Low energy density; poor low-temperature performance |
Torches; radios; electronic toys and games |
|
Mg/MnO2 |
1.60 |
105 |
Higher capacity than C/Zn; good shelf life |
High gassing on discharge; delayed voltage |
Military and aircraft receiver-transmitters |
1.50 |
95 |
Higher capacity than C/Zn; good low-temperature performance |
Moderate cost |
Personal stereos; calculators; radio; TV |
|
Zn/HgO |
1.35 |
105 |
High Energy density; flat discharge; stable voltage |
Expensive; energy density only moderate |
Hearing aids; pacemakers; photography; military sensors/detectors |
Cd/HgO |
0.90 |
45 |
Good high and low-temperature performance; good shelf life |
Expensive; low energy density |
|
1.50 |
130 |
High Energy density, good high rate performance |
Expensive (but cost effective) |
Watches; photography; missiles; Larger space applications |
|
Zn/Air |
1.50 |
290 |
High Energy density; long shelf life |
Dependent on environment; limited power output |
Watches; hearing aids; railway signals; electric fences |
Li/SOCl2 |
3.60 |
300 |
High Energy density; long shelf life |
Only low to moderate rate applications |
Memory devices; standby electrical power devices |
Li/SO2 |
3.00 |
280 |
High energy density; best low-temperature performance; long shelf life |
High-cost pressurized system |
Military and special industrial needs |
Li/MnO2 |
3.00 |
200 |
High energy density; good low-temperature performance; cost effective |
Small in size, only low-drain applications |
Electrical medical devices; memory circuits; fusing |