Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries Could Threaten Li-ion’s Dominance
Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries Could Threaten Li-ion’s Dominance
Ongoing research on rechargeable zinc-air batteries indicates the potential of competing with lithium-ion as the power source of choice for electronic devices.
Current research on zinc-air batteries aims to transform this battery type from non-rechargeable to rechargeable. To describe how rechargeable zinc-air batteries work, we first have to look at their existing non-rechargeable counterparts, which are metal-air batteries activated by oxidizing zinc with oxygen from the air.
Non-rechargeable sizes range from very small button cells for hearing aids, to larger types used in cameras. You can’t use zinc-air batteries in a sealed battery holder because some air must come in. This battery requires oxygen in 1 liter of air for every ampere-hour of capacity.
During the discharge of a non-rechargeable zinc-air battery, a mass of zinc particles forms a porous anode, which is saturated with an electrolyte. Oxygen from the air reacts at the cathode and forms hydroxyl ions that migrate into the zinc paste and form zincate, releasing electrons to travel to the cathode. The zincate decays into zinc oxide and water that returns to the electrolyte. The water and hydroxyl from the anode are recycled at the cathode, so the water is not consumed. These reactions produce a theoretical 1.65 V, but this reduces to 1.35-1.4 V in practical cells.
It’s in the Air
Non-rechargeable zinc-air batteries have higher energy density and specific energy (and weight) ratio than other types of battery because atmospheric air is one of the battery reactants. The air is not packaged with the battery; therefore, a cell can use more zinc in the anode than a cell that must also contain, for example, manganese dioxide. This increases capacity for a given weight or volume. As a specific example, a zinc-air battery from one manufacturer with a 11.6 mm diameter and 5.4 mm height has a capacity of 620 mAh and weighs 1.9 g; various silver oxide and alkaline cells of the same size supply have a 150- to 200-mAh capacity and weigh 2.3-2.4 g.
The operating life of a zinc-air cell is a critical function of its interaction with the environment. The electrolyte loses water more rapidly in conditions of high temperature and low humidity. Because its potassium-hydroxide electrolyte is deliquescent, in very humid conditions excess water accumulates in the cell, flooding the cathode and destroying its active properties. Potassium hydroxide also reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide; carbonate formation eventually reduces electrolyte conductivity.
Because the cathode does not change properties during discharge, terminal voltage is quite stable until the cell approaches exhaustion. Its power capacity is a function of:
- Cathode area
- Air availability
- Porosity
- Catalytic value of the cathode surface
Oxygen entry into the cell must be balanced against electrolyte water loss. Cathode membranes are coated with (hydrophobic) Teflon material to limit water loss. Low humidity increases water loss; if enough water is lost the cell fails. Button cells have a limited current drain. For example, an IEC PR44 cell has a capacity of 600 mAh, but a maximum current of only 22 mA. Pulse load currents can be much higher since some oxygen remains in the cell between pulses.
Though low temperature reduces primary cell capacity, the effect is small for low drains. A cell may deliver 80{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} of its capacity if discharged over 300 hours at 0°C, but only 20{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} of capacity if discharged at a 50-hour rate at that temperature. Lower temperature also reduces cell voltage.
Non-rechargeable zinc-air batteries have some properties similar to fuel cells as well as batteries: the zinc is the fuel, the reaction rate can be controlled by varying the air flow, and oxidized zinc/electrolyte paste can be replaced with fresh paste.
News_ Due to the global abundance of zinc metal, these batteries are much cheaper to produce than lithium-ion batteries. On top of that, they can store more energy (theoretically five times more than that of lithium-ion batteries), and are much safer and more environmentally friendly.
Leading the Charge on Recharging Issues
Widespread use of zinc-air batteries has been hindered by the fact that, up until now, recharging them has been difficult. This is due to the lack of electrocatalysts that successfully reduce and generate oxygen during the discharging and charging of a battery.
A new three-stage method to overcome this recharging problem was recently described in Advanced Materials. The article was authored by chemical engineering researchers from the University of Sydney (Australia) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
Rechargeable zinc-air batteries show promise as a viable power-source option to lithium-ions.
According to lead author Professor Yuan Chen, from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, the new method can be used to create bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for building rechargeable zinc-air batteries from scratch. The figure shows a prototype of one of their rechargeable zinc-air batteries.
“Up until now, rechargeable zinc-air batteries have been made with expensive precious metal catalysts, such as platinum and iridium oxide,” he said. “In contrast, our method produces a family of new high-performance and low-cost catalysts.”
These new catalysts can then be applied to build rechargeable zinc-air batteries. They are produced through the simultaneous control of their:
Paper co-author Dr Li Wei, also from the University’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, said trials of zinc-air batteries developed with the new catalysts had demonstrated excellent rechargeability—including less than a 10{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} battery efficacy drop over 60 discharging/charging cycles of 120 hours.
“We are solving fundamental technological challenges to realize more sustainable metal-air batteries for our society,” added Professor Chen.
Research on zinc-air batteries is also ongoing at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Their research focus is on the development of novel bifunctional catalysts capable of catalyzing both the oxygen reduction (battery discharge) and oxygen evolution (battery recharge) reactions to create practically viable rechargeable zinc-air batteries. In addition, they focus on the design and performance optimization of both air and zinc electrodes as well as a solid electrolyte membrane. Finally, their aim is to combine the components into various forms of a rechargeable zinc-air battery, such as stationary, flexible, and flow cells.
Like most research projects some questions arise:
1. Do these rechargeable versions have similar energy density and specific energy (and weight) as the existing non-rechargeable types?
2. What is the effect of temperature change on these rechargeable batteries?
3. How many times can these batteries be charged and recharged and still maintain the expected output voltage?
4. They produce a lower output voltage, so how can rechargeable zinc-air batteries compete with lithium-ion?
5. How does humidity affect performance of the rechargeable battery?
6. Are there electronic system packaging problems because these rechargeable batteries require access to air?
7. Does the design prototype produced by research lend itself to mass production of rechargeable batteries?
8. Will these rechargeable batteries be able to power electric vehicles?
- Published in Blog, Blue Moon, Green Technology, Mining, Technology
Blue Moon Zinc to Re-open California Past Producing Mine as Zinc Bull Market Commences
Blue Moon Zinc to Re-open California Past Producing Mine as Zinc Bull Market Commences
Blue Moon Zinc to Re-open California Past Producing Mine as Zinc Bull Market Commences
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: August 15, 2017
August 15, 2017 – MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Momentum PR client, Blue Moon Zinc Corp., is listed on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol: MOON and in the US on the OTC under the symbol: BMOOF.
Momentum PR is pleased to have produced an informative and comprehensive report on Blue Moon Zinc Corp., available on the Momentum PR LinkedIn page.
Blue Moon Zinc Corp. Highlights:
- The Blue Moon mine was in production between 1943 and 1945. Hecla Mining produced 55,656 tons grading 12.3{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} zinc, 0.36{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} copper, 0,48{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} lead, 3.75 oz/ton silver and 0.062oz/ton gold.
- Blue Moon already has 5.3 million tons of indicated and inferred resources and the Company believes it can advance that materially with extension and exploration drilling.
- Blue Moon can boast a 95{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} recovery rate
- Blue Moon property now has approximately 2.62 million tons with a grade of 6.01{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} zinc indicated, and 2.68 million tons with a grade of 5.98{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} zinc inferred, plus significant amounts of copper, lead, silver and gold.
- In 2017, Zinc prices rose to $2,825 a tonne up 10{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} on the year. According to Zinc Investment News, Zinc prices rose 90{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} between January 2016 and March 2017.
- Blue Moon is applying for drill permits and is commencing baseline and engineering studies.
The Blue Moon Zinc project is located in Mariposa County in central California and if the project needed a nickname, it very well might be the Comeback Kid. Unlike most junior mining companies, Blue Moon intends to take its asset into production and it has compelling reasons to do so.
Comeback Kid because Blue Moon has been in production before. During 1943-1945 Hecla Mining produced 55,656 tons grading 12.3{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} zinc, 0.36{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} copper, 0,48{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} lead, 3.75 oz/ton silver and 0.062oz/ton gold. Since then the property has been bought and sold by a number of different mining companies. Each of which has performed additional exploration work.
Blue Moon already has 5.3 million tons of indicated and inferred resources and the company believes it can advance that materially with extension and exploration drilling. This is comparable to Lundin’s now depleted Galmoy Zinc Mine and Trevali’s Santander Zinc mine, except that while Blue Moon can boast a 95{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} recovery rate, Galmoy peaked at 83{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} and Santander at 89{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce}. Galmoy closed in 2009 due to resource depletion.
Amidst a global supply crunch, according to an article published in MINING.com by Eric Fels on July 17, 2017, zinc prices rose to $2,825 a tonne up 10{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} on the year. According to Zinc Investment News, Zinc prices rose 90{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} between January 2016 and March 2017. Zinc’s 60{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} price hike in 2016 made it the London Metal Exchange’s best-performing commodity of the year. Its prices have been supported by mines closed because of resource exhaustion and production reductions in Canada, Peru and Australia by Glencore, one of the top three global zinc producers.
According to a NI 43-101 resource estimate, the Blue Moon property now has approximately 2.62 million tons with a grade of 6.01{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} zinc indicated, and 2.68 million tons with a grade of 5.98{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} zinc inferred, plus significant amounts of copper, lead, silver and gold. The Company believes those resources can be increased through drilling and a new resource report will benefit from inflation in commodity prices since the initial 2008 publication date.
Blue Moon trades on the TSXV as MOON and on the American OTC as BMOOF. As of July 21, 2017 it closed at $0.045 and has a 52-week high of $0.10 and a low of $0.015. The company has 92.75M shares outstanding and a market cap of $3.76 million.
The Momentum PR informative and comprehensive report on Blue Moon is available on the Momentum PR LinkedIn page.
If you would like more information on Blue Moon Zinc; listed on the TSX Venture exchange under the symbol MOON, and with a market cap of C$3.76 million, or would like to arrange an interview with management please contact:
Momentum PR
Juliette Benard, Director Media Relations
+1.450.332.6939
About Momentum PR
Momentum PR is a cutting-edge public and investor relations consulting agency representing companies within the Canadian investment community.
Since 2009, Momentum PR has been servicing small and mid cap Canadian listed public companies, seeking to increase their exposure across North America. The focus at Momentum PR is on building and driving brand awareness. Momentum PR cultivates new audiences in the media and investment communities by proactively engaging interested parties on behalf of client companies through online and offline channels.
Disclaimer:
All editorial content contained herein is solely the responsibility of Momentum PR and does not reflect, in any way, the opinions of TheNewswire.ca Inc., its partner newswires and / or associated news services.”
Savant Explorations Ltd. Changes Name to Blue Moon Zinc Corp. and Stock Symbol to “MOON”
Savant Explorations Ltd. Changes Name to Blue Moon Zinc Corp. and Stock Symbol to “MOON”
Momentum Public Relations
Press Release: July 5, 2017
Canada NewsWire
VANCOUVER, July 5, 2017
VANCOUVER, July 5, 2017 /CNW/ – Savant Explorations Ltd. (TSXV: SVT; US OTC: SVATF) (the “Company“) announces the Company has changed its name to “Blue Moon Zinc Corp.” and the new stock symbol will be “MOON”. The name and symbol change will be effective on July 5, 2017 and was approved by the board of directors and in accordance with the Articles of the Company. The Company’s new website can be found at www.bluemoonmining.com.
Patrick McGrath, Chief Executive Officer, stated,”We are pleased to change the name of the Company to Blue Moon Zinc Corp. to more clearly identify the Company’s association with its flagship Blue Moon zinc property in western United States.”
About Savant
The Company is focused on the wholly-owned advanced stage Blue Moon zinc project. The Blue Moon project has a current resource estimate of 2.62 million tons with a grade of 6.01{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} zinc in the Indicated category and 2.68 million tons with a grade of 5.98{92d3d6fd85a76c012ea375328005e518e768e12ace6b1722b71965c2a02ea7ce} zinc in the Inferred category plus significant values of copper, silver and gold. The resource is open at depth and along strike and historical metallurgical testing indicates favourable recoveries. A NI 43-101 report detailing the resource and summarizing metallurgical recoveries is available on the company’s website (www.bluemoonmining.com) and filed on SEDAR on February 21, 2008. The Company plans to advance the project to feasibility and permitting.
Qualified Persons
Jack McClintock, P. Eng, a Director of the Company, is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this press release.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts that address access to capital, regulatory approvals, exploration and development drilling, exploitation and development activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company’s continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
SOURCE Blue Moon Zinc Corp.
View original content: https://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2017/05/c1512.html
Patrick McGrath, CEO, 1-832-499-6009, pmcgrath@bluemoonmining.comCopyright CNW Group 2017