COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ALUMINUM-AIR BATTERY PROPULSION SYSTEMS FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES

Three electric propulsion systems using an aluminum-air battery were analyzed and compared to the internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicle. The analysis used projected battery characteristics extrapolated from laboratory measurements which were obtained in late 1979 and early 1980. In the analysis, the engine and fuel systems of a representative five-passenger highway vehicle were replaced conceptually by each of the three electric propulsion systems. The electrical vehicles were constrained by the computer simulation to be equivalent to the ICE vehicle in range and acceleration performance. The vehicle masses and aluminum consumption rates were then calculated for the electric vehicles and these data were used as figures of merit. The Al-air vehicles analyzed were: (1) an Al-air battery-only electric vehicle, (2) an Al-air battery combined with a nickel-zinc secondary battery for power leveling and regenerative braking, and (3) an Al-air battery combined with a flywheel for power leveling and regenerative braking. Projected Al-air battery power density, energy density, mass, and volume characteristics were based on recent experimental results of the Al-air battery development program at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. All three electric systems compared favorably with the ICE vehicle.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Livermore

  Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  Livermore, CA  United States  94550

  Department of Energy

  1000 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20585
• Authors:
  • Salisbury, J D
  • Behrin, E
  • Kong, M K
  • Whisler, D J
• Publication Date: 1980-2-29

Media Info

• Pagination: 103 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Aluminum air batteries; Braking; Design; Economic analysis; Electric batteries; Electric vehicles; Energy consumption; Flywheels; Hybrid automobiles; Hybrid vehicles; Internal combustion engines; Motors; Nickel zinc batteries; Performance; Propulsion; Simulation; Vehicle power plants
• Uncontrolled Terms: Comparative analysis; Propulsion systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Flywheel-powered vehicles
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00327013
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: W-7405-ENG-48
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 18 1981 12:00AM