22 Years' Battery Customization
May 31, 2022 Pageview：668
The world of batteries has been growing rapidly over the years. Today, there are so many types that choosing the right one can be a bit hard.
It all comes down to knowing your options. Which battery is the best for your application?
Now, there are different types of batteries, depending on what they hold inside. Today, one of the not-so-common types is the Iron Nickel (Ni-Fe) battery.
In this guide, we will be discussing these batteries. We will talk about its price, DIY, and construction.
What is an Iron-Nickel Battery?
Before going far, it’s good to start with the basics. Understanding what NiFe batteries are is crucial to understanding this topic.
An iron-nickel battery, also known as an Edison battery, is a rechargeable battery carrying nickel (III) oxide-hydride in the positive plates and iron in the negative ones. The electrolyte is made of potassium hydroxide.
The battery also comes with nickel-plated steel tubes that hold the active material. This part can also be made from perforated pockets.
Ni-Fe is one of the most robust batteries on the market. They have a great tolerance to abuse like overcharge, over-discharge and short-circuiting. These batteries offer a very long life even when treated roughly.
Ni-Fe batteries may not be so popular because of their specific use, but they offer a great service. No other battery type can last for more than 20 years. A Ni-Fe can do that.
These batteries are defined by low specific energy, poor charge retention, and a high cost of manufacture. And that is why other rechargeable batteries have overtaken them.
Besides, Ni-Fe batteries are not used in just any device. Today, you will find the batteries in many railway vehicles, especially in London and New York.
This technology has remained popular in off-the-grid applications. Here, daily charging is not a problem, making them the perfect choice.
You will not find Ni-Fe batteries for your everyday portable devices. That makes the biggest difference in terms of popularity.
There is currently an investigation on these batteries to be used as combined batteries. This also involves electrolysis for the production of hydrogen in fuel-cell cars and storage.
Iron-Nickel Battery Price
Iron-nickel batteries have several advantages. One of them is the ability to survive frequent cycling. They have a low solubility of reactants in the electrolyte.
Also, the batteries offer the longest life span. Most common rechargeable batteries have a life span of fewer than five years. But when it comes to Ni-Fe, you are looking at more than 20 years.
Unfortunately, they come with more disadvantages than advantages. And that is one of the reasons why they are not so popular.
The initial cost of these batteries is 30% more than any high-end lead-acid battery of the same size and function. It also costs a lot more than lithium-ion batteries.
Why are these batteries so expensive?
Ni-Fes are strong batteries that can withstand abuse and last longer than other common batteries. Hence, they are mostly used in backup situations.
The batteries can be charged continuously and still last for over 20 years. It can also stay discharged for a long time without any damage.
These batteries can survive repeated cycling, making them ideal for certain situations. You will find them very applicable in areas where abuse is unavoidable.
But why are they so expensive? We will be answering this question here.
The economies of scale play a major role in the production of these batteries. And it’s one of the main reasons why they cost so much.
Only a few countries, including China and Australia, produce Ni-Fe batteries. Some countries have even banned their use, which makes them even more expensive.
There are very few manufacturers that make these batteries. Exide is one of them. The company bought the Nickel Battery Company in 1972. But it stopped producing the batteries in 1975 due to a lack of a continuous market.
After this, it was discovered that a simple electrolyte replacement could restore the energy of rechargeable batteries was lost. And since Ni-Fe batteries could not store energy, it was phased out.
Another reason why manufacturers tend to avoid it is its long lifespan. It takes years before a replacement is required, which is bad for business.
Manufacturing quantities also play a major role in the price of these batteries. Making each unit is more expensive than making any other battery.
The initial cost of making the battery is very high. And once made, it takes time before the consumer calls for a replacement. That would make them expensive.
Iron-Nickel Battery DIY
The materials for making Ni-Fe batteries are very expensive. And that is why there are not very many manufacturers out there.
But can you DIY such a battery? If you understand the working principle of these batteries, then you can make one at home.
Nickel-iron batteries use a simple electrolyte. It should be easy to find some. But the materials for the positive electrode are not easy to find.
With that in mind, it’s better not to try making such a battery. Besides, their size and weight give them a more specific use and need. You might not have that.
Iron-Nickel Battery Construction
There are two plates in the nickel-iron battery cell. These are the Ni(OH)4 in the positive plate and the Fe in the negative plate. The electrolyte is made of potassium hydroxide (KOH). Adding lithium hydrate (LiOH) increases the cell’s capacity.
The electrolyte comes with a specific capacity of 1.2. The container also features nickel-plated iron, on which the negative plates are connected.
A very small amount of the electrolyte is used in these batteries. Thus, they are pretty compact.
A single cell produces a very low amount of current and voltage. Hence, many cells must be connected in series and parallel. This increase the current and voltage rating of the battery.
Iron-nickel batteries are not very popular today. It’s no wonder they come at a very high cost. We hope this article has helped you understand its price and construction.
Leave a message
We’ll get back to you soon
