Article tools sponsored by

Regenerative fuel cell

By John Lewis, Technical Editor -- Design News, April 8, 2002


A zinc/air fuel-cell system comprises two principal components: the fuel cell itself and the zinc recycling and refueling unit that supplies the fuel cell with zinc pellets, removes the zinc oxide, and converts it back into zinc metal fuel pellets.

Developed for stationary or mobile applications requiring power levels greater than 1 kW, a zinc/air fuel cell produces electrical energy by the same electrochemical processes that occur in primary zinc/air batteries. In contrast to being discarded like a primary battery, slowly recharged like a secondary battery, or rebuilt like a "mechanically recharged" battery, a zinc/air fuel cell can be conveniently refueled in minutes or seconds.

Zinc "fuel," in the form of pellets about 1 mm in diameter, is consumed and releases electrons to drive a load (the anodic part of the electrochemical process). Oxygen from ambient air accepts electrons from the load (the cathodic part). The overall chemical reaction produces zinc oxide (ZnO), a non-toxic white powder. When all or part of the zinc has been consumed, removing the reaction product and adding fresh zinc pellets and electrolyte refuels the cell. The ZnO product is reprocessed into zinc pellets and oxygen in a separate recycling unit using electrolysis.

The technology is expected to displace lead-acid batteries where higher specific energy or very rapid recharges are valuable, and internal combustion engines where zero emissions, quiet operation, or lower maintenance costs are important.

Steve Schaefer, Metallic Power, 2320 Camino Vida Roble, Carlsbad, CA 92009; Tel: (760) 476-8000; Fax: (760) 476-8080; E-mail: steve.schaefer@metallicpower.com. For more information, Enter 509

Submit your ideas and rough drawings for this section to John Lewis, Designer's Corner, Design News, 275 Washington St., Newton, MA 02458

Article tools sponsored by

related stories
resource center
by this author

View more articles by John Lewis

Technology Marketplace

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

» View All Talkback Threads

DN's Resource Center Get Free Information, Made Easy

Process Control Yields Cost Effective Weld Integrity
Orbitform | White Paper
Request Item
Sensorless BLDC motor control using a Majority Function From Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology Inc. | Web Event
Request Item

View all DN resources >>

Design News Partner Zones

JUNE 24TH WEBCAST: Collaborative Requirements Engineering
Speed your innovation. Capture the "voice of the customer" and translate customer requests into user requirements that define new products. Find out why the new ENOVIA Requirements Management solution enables organizations to improve their overall global requirements management process. Read More

Light Matters: Systems Level Approach to HBLED illumination applications
Its good practice to apply a systems-level approach to high-brightness LED (HBLED) illumination applications. Minimally, the system includes the optical, thermal and electrical characteristics of the of the HBLED, the lens (if any) which is built-in to its package, secondary optics such as external plastic lenses/reflectors to direct the light as your application requires and power driver electronics. Read More

Design Engineers' Portal for Sensing and Machine Safety
Whatever industry you're in, or whatever product you manufacture, the right sensors to automate your plant, and to improve your overall efficiency, quality and safety are a must. You'll find Banner Engineering to be an amazing resource of products, training and people with expertise.