Page 257 - Lindens Handbook of Batteries

MAGNeSiUM AND ALUMiNUM bATTerieS 10.9

20 40

10 20

5 10
Amperes/kilogram 2 55°C 4 Amperes/liter

20°C
1
–20°C 2
0.5 1

2 5 10 20 50 100 200
Hours of service
FIGURE 10.10 Service life of magnesium/manganese dioxide primary bat-
tery at various discharge rates and temperatures (to 1.2 V/cell end voltage).

100 20°C
Relative capacity 67 70°C 55°C 20°C Magnesium

33
Zinc
45°C
70°C
1 2 3 4 5
Storage period, yr
FIGURE 10.11 Comparison of service vs. storage of magnesium/manganese dioxide
and zinc-carbon batteries.

10.4.3 Inside-Out Cells
The discharge characteristics of the cylindrical inside-out magnesium primary batteries are shown
in Fig. 10.12 for various discharge rates and at 20°C and -20°C. This structure has better high-rate
and low-temperature performance than the conventional structure. These batteries can be discharged
at temperatures as low as -40°C, although at lighter discharge loads at the lower temperatures.
Discharge curves are characteristically flat. They also have good and reproducible low-drain, long-
term discharge characteristics as they do not split under these discharge conditions. Discharges for a
2 1 ⁄ 2 -year duration are realized with a D-size battery at a 270-mA drain at 20°C.

10.4.4 Battery Design

battery configuration has an important influence on the performance of the magnesium/manganese
dioxide battery because of the heat generated during the discharge. As discussed in Sec. 10.2, proper