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6.4: Primary batteries

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    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

    This page titled 6.4: Primary batteries was last modified on Thu, 26 Nov 2020 20:31:06 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.