Primary Non RechargeableBatteries
Primary batteries are used once, then discarded. They have theadvantage of convenience and cost less per battery, with the downside of costing more over the long term. Generally, primarybatteries have a higher capacity and initial voltage thanrechargeable batteries, and a sloping discharge curve . Mostprimary batteries do not presently require special disposal.
Advantages
High energy density since no design compromises necessary toaccommodate recharging.
Best alternative for low cost, low drain applications such aswatches or hearing aids.
The obvious choice for single use applications such as guidedmissiles and military ordnance.
Low initial cost
Convenient.
Wide availability of standard products
Shortcomings
Not suitable for high drain applications due to short life time andthe cost of continuous replacement.
In terms of overall energy efficiency, single use, disposable,primary batteries are an extremely uneconomical energy source sincethey produce only about 2% of the power used in theirmanufacture.
They also produce much more waste than rechargeablebatteries.
Applications
Consumer batteries used in:-
Toys
Flashlights
Watches
Clocks
Hearing aids
Radios
Specialist batteries used for:-
Implanted medical devices
Missiles
Weapons systems
Typical Battery Chemistries
Alkaline
Leclanché
Lithium
Silver Oxide
Zinc Air
See also Secondary Batteries
