THE LIFECYCLE OF AN ALKALINE
BATTERY
By: Will Wagner
Shannon Smith
Bill Hildebrand
Khalifa Alneyadi
MANUFACTURING
•
Parts include cathode, anode, separator, seals,
and label
•
Constituent ingredients (MgO2, graphite
KOH) are mixed
•
This mixture is then compacted into hollow
cylinders to form cathode
•
The anode is comprised of gel material along
with a KOH electrolyte
•
The separator is a paper that prevents the
cathode and anode from making contact
•
Seals are added to battery to prevent the
batteries life from draining quickly
•
Label is added to identify type of battery
PACKAGING
• Packaged in plastic or cardboard
containers
• Usually in recyclable material
• Packaged in bulks, opposed to smaller
quantity, which limits the amount of
package material needed
SALES, DISTRIBUTION, AND
TRANSPORTATION
• Multiple batteries must be positioned
side by side and separated by dividers
• Electronic devices that include
batteries must remain sealed
• Excess space must be avoided to
eliminate the shifting of batteries
• Sturdy containers must be used
• They are readily available to consumers
at a reasonable cost
CONSUMER USE
• Used in nearly every electronical product
• 1.5V opposed to 1.2V rechargeable batteries,
which makes them more useful
• Short life cycle and often disposed of quickly
• This causes the consumers to buy batteries more
often, which in turn pollutes the environment at a
faster pace
•
DISPOSAL
• Allowed to be disposed as regular domestic
waste in certain areas
• Some contain mercury, which is harmful to
the environment
• Should be recycled in local recycling
stations
• In some states, batteries are considered
hazardous waste when discarded
• Companies can even use recycled batteries
for production of other items
RESEARCH AND PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
• Better batteries needed to fulfill the need of the public
• Consumers are going for cheaper more effective products
• Developed by Lewis Urry in the 1950’s
• U.S. patent for the alkaline battery was granted in 1960 to Union Carbide
Corporation
• First began as a gelled and amalgamated zinc powder anode with a
compartment in its center
• Multitude of problems arose involving mercury and its hazard to the
environment
• This caused for change in batteries, where organic inhibitors were used
instead
MARKETING
• Many commercial advertisements, e.g.
Energizer Bunny
• Targets a younger, electronic-savvy
audience
• Trusted brands fight for consumer
loyalty
• Slow growth and steady market
• Much cheaper, more effective battery
technology out there
WORKS CITED
• http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/battery_packaging_a_look_at_
old_and_new_systems
• Google.com/images
• http://images.fedex.com/us/packaging/guides/BatteryShipments_fxcom.
pdf
• http://powersupplies.frost.com/prod/servlet/market-insighttop.pag?docid=3854295&ctxixpLink=FcmCtx5&ctxixpLabel=FcmCtx6
• http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Battery.html