Battery2

What is a BatteryDefinition: A battery is a device that stores

energy and makes it available in an electrical form. A battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Or is a device that produces electrical energy from chemical energy

General uses of batteries:

The radios flashlightsclock stereosCameras calculators digital thermometers pace makers hearing aids speedometertoysComputers are just a small sample of a huge list of

products that employ these energy sources (batteries), being the reason for its commercial success autonomy of the network electrical, or be a portable object. Etcetera

Types of Batteries Types of batteries; batteries can be

divided into two categories; primary battery based on an irreversible

chemical reaction, and hence is not rechargeable (only has ONE a life cycle).

And secondary battery based on a chemical reaction reversible it is rechargeable. Their active elements can be regenerate by passing an electric current in the opposite direction. It has multiple life cycles.

Primary Batteries Advantages Disadvantages

Alkaline Cell High energy density, long shelf life, good leak resistance, performs well under heavy or light use.

Costlier than zinc-carbon cell but more efficient

Aluminum/Air Cell Can operate exposed to sea water (neutral salt solution), easily replaceable electrolytes/electrodes

Anode quickly degrades, short shelf life, short operational life

Leclanché Cell (Zinc Carbon or Dry Cell)

Cheap and common (oldest available battery type)

Poor performance under heavy or continuous use.

Lithium Cell Very high energy density, long shelf life, long operational life

Poor performance under heavy use, vulnerable to leaks or explosions

Mercury Oxide Cell Higher energy density than

(Zn/MnO2) alkaline cell

High cost and being phased out due to toxicity concerns

Zinc/Air Cell Environmentally benign, cheap, very high energy density, and virtually unlimited shelf life

Short operational life, low power density

Secondary (rechargeable) Batteries

Advantages Disadvantages

Iron Nickel Cell Long life under a variety of conditions, excellent back-up battery

Low rate-performance, slow recharge rate

Lead/Acid Cell Low cost, long life cycle, operates well under a variety of conditions. Common car batteries

Minor risk of leakage

Lithium Ion Cell Relatively cheap, high energy density, long shelf life, long operational life, long cycle life

Minor risk of leakage

Nickel/Cadmium Cell Good performance under heavy discharge and/or low temperature

High cost, can temporary loose cell capacity if not fully discharged before recharging (memory effect)

Nickel/Metal Hydride (NiMH) Cell High capacity and power density High cost, some memory effect

Nickel/Zinc Cell Low cost, low toxicity, good for high discharge rates

Zinc on the electrolyte tends to redeposit unevenly on anode, severely reducing efficiency

Sodium/Sulfur Cell Inexpensive materials, long cycle life, high energy and power

High operational temperature lower efficiency, some danger of explosion upon degradation

Danger Alkaline batteries: these are long lasting

batteries; they are used for complex and high consumption. They contain 0.04% of mercury (contaminates 175 thousand liters of water which is more than the amount a person can drink throughout his life).

Mercury button batteries: can be identified with the initials MR. They guarantees energy for a long time, contain 30% of mercury. It can contaminate 600 thousand liters of water.

Zinc button-air batteries: They are distinguished by having large numbers of tiny holes on their surface, was conceived in the early 70 'as an alternative to mercury batteries it offers better performance and greater capacity, but it is limited on contact with air one of the reasons why their application is registered. Pollutes over 12 thousand liters of water.

Heavy Metal Contaminantes

Metal Use Effects

Mercury Thermometers Watches as a component for dental

amalgams for making fillings for teeth

barometers and manometers

causes irritation of the skin, mucous and sensitizing the skinIn chronic poisoning and produces high doses: irritability, hallucinations, crying, excitability, depression, sadness, psychosis, Crisis. In cases of exposure to high doses orally, the digestive system collapses, being fatal in hours.

Cadmium pigments for paints, varnishes PVC pipes

Diarrhoea, stomach pains and severe vomiting- Bone fracture- Reproductive failure and possibly even infertility- Damage to the central nervous system- Damage to the immune system- Psychological disorders- Possibly DNA damage or cancer development

Lead in building construction , lead-acid batteries bullets and shot weights part of solder, pewter, and

fusible alloys.

- A rise in blood pressure- Kidney damage- Miscarriages and subtle abortions- Disruption of nervous systems- Brain damage- Declined fertility of men through sperm damage- Diminished learning abilities of children

zinc coating for iron and steel as a main alloy for Brass paint pigment medical purposes

producing a wide range of alterations to human health.

Chromium to harden steel useful for forming bricks and

shapes, as it has a high melting point, moderate thermal expansion, and stability of crystalline structure

Causes coughing, chronic bronchitis, ulceration of the nasal septum and skin, respiratory and head pains, nose bleeding, dermatitis, etc..

Metal Contaminantes cont.

Manganese In steel, improves the rolling and forging qualities, strength, toughness, stiffness, wear resistance, hardness, and harden ability

Fatness- Glucose intolerance- Blood clotting- Skin problems- Lowered cholesterol levels- Skeleton disorders- Birth defects- Changes of hair colour- Neurological symptoms

Nickel to make stainless steel development of lung cancer, nose cancer, larynx cancer and prostate cancer- Sickness and dizziness after exposure to nickel gas- Lung embolism- Respiratory failure- Birth defects- Asthma and chronic bronchitis- Allergic reactions such as skin rashes, mainly from jewellery- Heart disorders

Heavy Metal Contaminantes cont.

Alternative solutions or what can be done to minimize the use of batteries.

Choosing your batteries? It is highly recommended to use electrical appliances. If their use is inevitable, you should buy rechargeable batteries, thus there is a large reduction in the volume of waste to discard.

The quality of the product to choose. The imitation batteries generally have a lower life expectancy than one of good quality, the under developed batteries caused more pollution due to their fast rate of decomposition.

Particularly, it is suggested purchase batteries with the label "Free Mercury (Hg)" or something similar, since this is the element that pollutes the most.

Do not mix with the new batteries used. It reduces the life of both.

• Use preferably devices connected to solar energy.

• Do not throw batteries to the sewer, and eventually reach the river, and could pollute the waters. In the absence of sewerage network, pollution affects the webs cycles.

• Do not burn batteries, this recommendation is for all types.

• Do not leave the batteries within the reach of children.

Benefits Benefits of recollecting and recycling

batteriesEliminates the entrance of heavy metalsAllows heavy metals to be in one placeThe heavy metals are reused into the

manufacturing of other batteriesThe plastic is recycled Conserves for future generationsAllows good environmental policies

Thank you (R. Penny)More information visit: www.axeonpower.comwww.micro.magnet.fsu.eduwww.electrochem.cwru.eduwww.speedywayrecycle.comwww.content.answers.comwww.earth911.comwww.greenpeace.orgwww.epa.govhttp://www.lenntech.comhttp://www.unicrom.comhttp://inventors.about.comhttp://www.mantra.com