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Battery

Introduction to Batteries
notion image
  1. Battery has a Positive & a Negative Terminal
  1. Electrodes and Electrolytes Needed
  1. The Kind of Current Generated here in DC
  1. Most of the Batteries used in Potable devices are Lithium Ion Batteries, these types of Metal Metal Batteries, Generally they are Lithium Ion Batteries
Different Concepts Related to batteries
Concept of Electronegativity
If something is more willing to give an electron, it will be less stable, and more electronegativity
Concept of Memory Effect
 
Concept of Self-Discharge
Glass House Effect in Car
Concept of Fire Triangle
Fuel Oxygen and Heat are needed for Fire. Whenever they combined, you will have fire !!!
Lithium itself is a fuel
Intercalation
When Lithium Ion Comes and sit on a the Anode Graphite Lettuce and does not react, its called Intercalation
Lithium Ion Batteries and Associated Dynamic
Why Lithium Ion Battery for Portable Devices
  1. It has a high power density
  1. but overall weight is less
  1. charge to discharge or lifecycle of Lithium Ion Battery is about 1000 to 2000 cycles. This is basically, the life of a battery
      2. Lead Acid Battery : Avg of 300 Cycles
      Lithium Ion Battery can go up to : 5000 Cycles
      Higher Cycle Batteries are Costly
  1. Lithium has very high electronegativity and, by default gives 3 V, whereas Lead Acid Battery gives 1 V
      2. Here, the Power Density of Lithium is Very High
      If something is more willing to give electron it is more electronegative
      High Potential for Electronegativity → Lithium → Sodium
  1. Lithium Ions do not have a Memory Effect
      2. This used to happen with Nickle Cadmium or NiCad Batteries. For Example, 50% ke neeche, NiCad fat se khatam ho jaate hain
  1. In the case of Lead Acid Batteries, Self Discharge is very High whereas Lithium Ions have 1 to 2 % of Self Discharge Per Month, which is one of the lowest
      2. Guideline is that whenever a product leaves a factory, it has to be charged at 40%, Hence, It can last unto 3 Years, and it is prescribed to be sold at 1 to 1.5 Years
Issues with Lithium Ions Battery
  1. AAA & AA or Lead Acid Batteries NEVER blast but Lithium Ion Batteries Do Blast
  1. Employing Concept of Fire Triangle → O2, heat & Fuel Combined. Fuel is there, in case heat and Oxygen demand is met, it may blast
      2. Fuel - Lithium is Reactive
      Lithium Carbonates & Lithium Sulfates are used in Battery → When they are heated → It starts leaking Gas
      Lithium Ion Batteries should not be punctured and heated, cuz they will complete the fire triangle
      If Temp, Increases > 70 Degree, it will increase pressure as the chemical will start degrading
  1. Electrolytes are very Metal Specific, Li being reactive, if it comes in contact with moisture, it has to be very specific
      2. Carbonates & Sulphates are Electrolytes in Lithium Ion Battery, They Produce Gases, from which the Current Passes
  1. Intercalation → During the Process of Charging Oxides move from Cathode to Anode. When the Anode holds Anions w/o reacting with Lithium is called Intercalation, when all the lithium ions have migrated, the discharge is complete.
  1. The Nature of Lithium Metal being electronegative makes it very unstable
  1. The Puff and leak might cause issues for them and when this happens the entire energy is expelled in just 3 to 4 seconds
  1. Supercharging, Technology used for Charging is different
Reasons why Lithium Ion Batteries can catch Fire
  1. Lithium is Reactive
  1. Electrolytes are Inflammable
Changes to be Made
  1. Change Lithium - Sodium Ion Batteries
  1. Convert Electrolytes into Solid → Hence Solid State Batteries (Solid State Batteries main Electrolyte Solid Rahega)
  1. Liquid Polymers Batteries - which use Polymer or Stable Polymers as Electrolytes. Most of them we use are Liquid Polymers
Challenges in Lithium Ion Batteries Apart from Technical Ones
  1. Cost and Availability → Challenge of Raw Material
      2. Lithium 10 is concentrated only in some geo location (Lithium Triangle → Argentina, Bolivia, Chila) + Western Australia, China Jiangxi & Quebec and Ontario in Canada
  1. Mining of Raw Material
      2. It may be in Salt Forms or in Brine Forms → Takes 18 Months to Dry Lithium. Its very water intensive, it takes about 2000 Litres per Kg of Lithium to be Made Factory Ready
      Problems in Chile and Bolivia Dissent in Local Community
  1. Problem with NMC → Nickle, Manganese & Cobalt → these are mixed with Lithium → Tesla Battery has charging cycle of 500 0and energy density of 300 KW per Kg
      2. Problem is with Cobalt → Major Supply of Cobalt is in DRC. Hence, Cobalt is called as Conflict Minerals. These minerals are used to create conflict, they come out of conflict and they are used to create conflict. this is called as Resource Curse
  1. Mining Companies Do Not Follow Regulations, thus making area and env toxic due to release of heavy chemicals in the env
  1. Manufacturing
      2. By 2018-19 → 90% of Manufacturing was happening in China, Now it has come to 60%. Many steps have been taken to reduce this dependency on China. From 2010-11, china was imposing a lot of restrictions on mining, export and import and many processes in the supply chain, there was apprehension of china using it as leverage
      Intermittency - Supply of Renewable Not being constant. Varies on Day Basis and then on Seasonal Basis
      Example : Solar Energy
  1. Usage → Chances of Accidents and Fire in during Usage
Future Potential of Sodium Ion Batteries
Disadvantages
Energy Density: Current energy density of Sodium Ion Batteries stands at 150 kWh/kg, which is significantly lower than Lithium Ion Batteries that can reach up to 300 kWh/kg.
Advantages
Stability: Sodium Ion Batteries are more stable compared to their lithium counterparts.
Abundance and Accessibility: Sodium is readily available, especially in regions near oceans, reducing the risk of resource weaponization.
  • Global Market Dynamics: Post the WTO cases against China in 2014-16, there has been a global shift to reduce dependency on China for critical resources.
Manufacturing Compatibility: The existing manufacturing chain for Lithium can be adapted for Sodium with minimal modifications.
Chemical Stability: Sodium's lower reactivity with water allows for the use of aqueous electrolytes, enhancing stability.
Application in Non-Weight Sensitive Areas: Ideal for scenarios where weight is not a critical factor, such as storage for solar grid supply.
Cost-Effectiveness: Sodium is considerably cheaper than lithium, making it economically attractive.
Emerging Preference: Given these advantages, Sodium Ion Batteries are becoming a favored choice for non-portable applications.
Integration of Emerging Battery Technologies in Electronics and Green Economy
1. Battery Technologies and Economic Implications
Lithium's High Cost: Driven by demand-supply mismatches.
Sodium as an Alternative: South American countries face a dilemma between investing in sodium or lithium due to limited capital expenditure (CAPEX).
Carbon Footprint of Batteries: MIT Mechanical Department data shows 200 kg of CO2 emissions per kWh of battery produced.
2. Advancements in Battery Technology
From Metal-Metal to Metal-Air Batteries: Introduction of Aluminum Air Batteries.
  • Aluminum Air Batteries: Offer 6000/8000 kWh/kg, making them space-efficient but non-rechargeable due to the lack of intercalation capability.
  • Applications: Being tested for small buses and aircrafts in airports. However, not feasible for electric vehicles (EVs).
  • Advantages: Better supply chain and lower raw material cost compared to lithium batteries.
3. Hybrid Vehicles
Dual Power Modes: Combines Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) with electric power.
Battery Range: Typically provides 30-40 km on pure electric power, with electric power used initially and intermittently.
Market Developments: Recent launches of Hybrid and Strong Hybrid models by companies like Maruti.
4. Challenges in EV Adoption
Range Anxiety: Concerns over the limited driving range of EVs.
Infrastructure Needs: Requirement for more charging stations and longer charging times necessitates increased grid supply and policy changes.
Environmental Impact: In countries like India, where electricity is primarily generated from non-green sources, the net environmental benefit of EVs is reduced.
Types of Minerals
1. Rare Earth Minerals
  • Definition: Rare Earth Minerals are characterized by their low concentration and economic feasibility, not by scarcity.
  • Extraction Challenges: They are stable in oxide forms, making chemical extraction complex.
  • Examples and Uses:
    • Lanthanides, Scandium, and Yttrium: Used as catalysts in crude oil extraction.
    • Semiconductor Industry: Used to dope silicon for creating semiconductors with positive and negative properties.
  • Global Dynamics:
    • US-China Relations: U.S. technical embargo on semiconductor technology to China, leading to threats of rare earth mineral supply restrictions by China.
    • India's Response: Emphasis on exploration and mining of rare earth minerals.
    • Supply Chain Disruptions: Examples like COVID-19 affecting global supply.
  • Conflicts and Resource Politics
    • Resource Nationalism: Countries reserve their own supplies while exhausting others.
    • Weaponization of Resources: Using natural resources as strategic assets in conflicts.
    • India's Situation: Possesses 2% of known rare earth minerals, but production is only 1%.
  1. Atomic Minerals
  • Definition: Minerals critical for defense and space sectors.
  • India's Classification: Six minerals classified as atomic minerals, essential for the nuclear energy sector.
      1. Uranium (U): Primary fuel for nuclear reactors. Found in Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
      1. Thorium (Th): Key for India's long-term nuclear plans. Abundant in monazite sands of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.
      1. Zirconium (Zr): Vital for nuclear fuel rod cladding, extracted from beach sands.
      1. Beryllium (Be): Used as a moderator and reflector in nuclear reactors.
      1. Lithium (Li): Plays a role in nuclear fusion and tritium production.
      1. Titanium (Ti): Used in reactor construction for its strength and corrosion resistance, found in beach sands.
  1. Critical Minerals
      2. Definition: Minerals important for the economy; 30 identified by the Indian government.5.
  1. Deep Seated Minerals
      2. Examples: Gold, Diamond (classified as deep-seated minerals)
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