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Fuel Cells vs Lithium-Ion for Artificial Hearts

The document discusses the technological challenges in developing an artificial heart, focusing on the power supply technology, specifically the transition from lithium-ion batteries to fuel cells for better autonomy and reduced mass. It includes calculations related to energy requirements, hydrogen storage, and the operation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. The document also compares various battery technologies and their characteristics.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6 views13 pages

Fuel Cells vs Lithium-Ion for Artificial Hearts

The document discusses the technological challenges in developing an artificial heart, focusing on the power supply technology, specifically the transition from lithium-ion batteries to fuel cells for better autonomy and reduced mass. It includes calculations related to energy requirements, hydrogen storage, and the operation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. The document also compares various battery technologies and their characteristics.

Translated by

ScribdTranslations
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

TSTI2D and TSTL Theme: electric energy storage statement

Exercise 1: technological choices for the realization of the artificial heart

The design of an artificial heart is a project that dates back half a century and has already mobilized
number of cardiologists and engineers from around the world, given the real technological challenge at stake.
Example of a technological challenge: the battery

Data:
Température : 0°C = 273 K ;
Pressure: 1 bar = 105Dad
Capacity of a battery: Q = ne-×F
Q: capacity or quantity of electricity available in coulombs (C)
ne-maximum amount of electrons that can flow in moles (mol)
F: Faraday constant = charge of one mole of electrons; 1F = 9.65 × [Link]-1

It is recalled that the energy stored in a battery corresponds to the product of the amount of electricity
available by the voltage across this battery or electromotive force.
1. Choice of the heart power supply technology.
The artificial heart needs an energy source in order to fulfill its role as a pump.
sang. The first batteries used for the artificial heart were lithium-ion batteries. But
Since then, we have been looking to replace lithium-ion batteries with fuel cells.
1.1. According to Appendix 1, for what reasons do we want to replace the lithium-ion battery with a
fuel cell?
1.2. The reactants of the fuel cell are on one hand dihydrogen H2and on the other hand the
dioxygen O2of air. The oxidizing-reducing couples involved in this battery are H+/ H2and
O2/ H2O.
1.2.1. The half-equation of the couple O 2/ H2It is written:
O2+ …… H+ + …… = ……
Copy onto your sheet by completing and balancing this half-equation. The half-
balanced equation of the couple H+/ H2is H2= 2 H+ + 2 e–
1.2.2. From this deduce the overall equation modeling the operation of this cell.
1.2.3. Is the electrode where hydrogen arrives the anode or the cathode? Justify.
1.2.4. On the document below, specify the name and sign of each electrode, indicate
the direction of electric current and that of electrons.

Page 1 of 13
2. Operation of the fuel cell
According to annex 1, what energy must be provided by the fuel cell for it to
autonomie soit de 12 heures ? Exprimer le résultat en W·h, puis en J.
2.2. The voltage across the battery terminals is 4.0 V.
To deduce that the capacity in coulombs (C) is on the order of 2.9×105C.
2.3. In particular, using the half-equation associated with the couple H +/ H2check that the quantity of
hydrogen matter to be stored in the fuel cell in order to achieve the desired autonomy
is nH2= 1.5 mol.

3. The storage of dihydrogen


Annex 2 provides the pressure-temperature diagram of dihydrogen.
For an ambient temperature of 20 °C:
[Link] this temperature to kelvin (K).
3.2. At this temperature, in what forms can hydrogen be stored? Justify.
3.3. At this temperature, deduce the form in which the hydrogen contained in
the hydrogen tank described in Annex 3.
3.4. Knowing the pressure p of a gas and the volume V it occupies at a given temperature T,
it is possible to calculate its amount of substance nH2, thanks to the ideal gas law:
pV = nRT
Withp: pressure in Pa ;
V: volume in m3;
n: amount of substance in mol;
T: temperature in K;
R: ideal gas constant; R = 8.31 J·K-1mol-1
Calculate, at a temperature of 20 °C, the amount of substance nH2maximum dihydrogen
that can be stored in the hydrogen bottle described in Appendix 3.
3.5. Will the Hy-can reservoir from appendix 3 meet the autonomy target of 12?
hours for the feeding of the artificial heart?

Page 2 of 13
ANNEX DOCUMENTS

Annex 1: the challenge of the artificial heart by Jean-Philippe Braly


If the electronics of this heart seem to be ready, its power supply is in progress.
improvement. Initially, a cable inserted through the abdomen will connect the prosthesis to some
external lithium-ion batteries to be recharged approximately every four hours on the mains.
Portables, slung over the shoulder or on a wheeled cart, their weight will be around 6 kg.
To try to solve this problem, the company has formed a partnership with Paxitech.
Objective: to develop fuel cells weighing less than 3 kg, 2 mm thick and providing
more than 12 hours of autonomy. Carmat hopes to finalize them by 2013. "For a
consumption of 27 W, and given the rapid evolution of technologies in this field,
Such batteries seem feasible for 2013," estimates Olivier Lottin, battery expert.
combustible at the University of Nancy-I.
Published in January 2012, in La Recherche

Annex 2: pressure - temperature diagram of dihydrogen H2

Annex 3: Hydrogen tank Hy-Can documentation


Caractéristiques techniques
Volume: 0.8 liters
Pressure: 12 bar = 12.105Dad
Size: 65 × 320 mm
Total mass: 135 g

Page 3 of 13
Exercise 2: lithium iron phosphate batteries

1. Interest in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries


[Link] au moins trois avantages et au moins un inconvénient des batteries LFP en vous appuyant
on appendices 1 and 2.
1.2. Represent in your copy the electrical diagram of a 12.8 V LFP battery consisting of
cells of 3.2 V, each represented by a direct current generator.
2. Operation of the LFP battery
The operation of a cell in the LFP battery is explained in detail in Appendix 3.
operation, the battery discharges. The following reactions then occur at the electrodes:
Cathode: Formation of lithium iron phosphate LiFePO4 according to the following equation:
Li+ + e– + FePO4LiFePO4
Anode : Release of lithium ions that were 'trapped' in the carbon sites, according to
the following equation:
LiC6→6C + Li+ + e–
2.1. Assign to each electrode, cathode and anode, the type of reaction occurring there, oxidation or reduction.
reduction.
2.2. Write the operational balance equation of the battery during discharge.
Using Annex 3, indicate on the document below the path of lithium ions, Li+, à
through the membrane separating the two compartments of the battery, during operation
in discharge:

2.4. Indicate on the document above the direction of the electrons in the electrical circuit, the direction of
electric current as well as the polarity of the electrodes.

Page 4 of 13
Annex 1: choice of lithium iron phosphate batteries
Lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO)4or LFP) are the safest among batteries at
traditional lithium-ion. The nominal voltage of an LFP cell is 3.2 V. A battery
A 12.8 V LFP is made up of 4 cells connected in series, and a 25.6 V battery is
composed of 8 cells connected in series. Durable, a lead battery will fail.
prematurely due to sulfation:
If it operates in deficit mode for long periods (that is to say, the battery
is rarely or never fully charged).
If it is left partially charged, or worse, fully discharged (for yachts or
mobile home during the winter.
It is not necessary to fully charge an LFP battery. The lifespan improves.
even slightly in the case of partial load instead of full load. This represents a
major advantage of the LFP battery compared to the lead-acid battery. These batteries are
other advantages such as a wide operating temperature range, performance
excellent achievement of cycle, low internal resistance, and high efficiency
A LFP battery is therefore the chemistry of choice for very
demanding.
according to[Link]

Annex 2: Comparison of Some Batteries


Lithium Lithium iron
Lithium ion
Technology Lead polymer phosphate
Li-ion
Li-Po LiFePO4
Energy stored in W·h by 40 200 190 120
Lifespan in number of
200 to 400 300 to 500 300 to 400 2,000
cycles
Cost in € per W·h 0,20 € 0,65 € 0,70 € 0,90 €
Explosion Explosion and Release
Dangers Fire
and acid fire of heat

Environmental impact. Lead Cobalt Cobalt


None
Pollutants Mercury Nickel Nickel
synthesis based on[Link]

Page 5 of 13
Annex 3: operating principle of a cell in an LFP battery

C’est l’ion lithium qui assure le déplacement de charge électrique à l’intérieur de la batterie.

When it is fully charged, all the lithium atoms are


« piégés » dans les sites de carbone, formés par les hexagones de graphite.
Each hexagon can trap a lithium atom.

When the battery is completely discharged, the hexagonal carbon sites are empty and
The lithium atoms are all combined with iron phosphate. The migration of lithium occurs
in ionic form Li+ through the membrane.

A cycle corresponds to a complete discharge, followed by a complete charge.

Page 6 of 13
Exercise 3: the lithium-ion battery

1. The diagram of the Li-Ion accumulator during charging is given:

Source : [Link]
silicon-that-recharges-in-10-minutes-zhou-chongwu
1.1. What are the charge carriers responsible for the flow of current in the electrolyte?
1.2. What are the charge carriers responsible for the flow of current in the circuit wires?
electric?
[Link] the direction of movement of all load carriers during the discharge of
the battery on the document below:

1.4. Complete the half-equations during the discharge of the battery:


at the electrode of the - pole: .......................... Li =......... Li+ + .........
at the electrode of the + pole: CoO2+ Li+ +.............................= CoLiO2
[Link] is the name of the reaction that takes place at the negative pole electrode during discharge?

Page 7 of 13
2. Study of the technical characteristics of the battery
On an old device, the batteries had the following characteristics: Ni-MH / 18.0 V /
2.20 A.h.
We want to know if we can replace a recent Lithium-Ion battery with an old one.
Ni-MH battery that costs less.
On the internet, one can find the information provided in appendices 1 and 2.

2.1. The energy of the Li-Ion battery is 57.6 W·h when it is fully charged. From
from Appendix 2, provide a range for the mass of the Li-Ion battery.
The energy required by a device depends on its mass, and therefore on that of its battery.
Explain, without calculation, one of the advantages of a Li-Ion battery compared to a Ni-MH battery.
2.3. From the two annexes, give two other reasons why Ni-MH batteries
have been replaced by Li-Ion batteries.

Annex 1: comparison between Ni-MH and Li-Ion batteries


The first difference concerns the power provided by these two batteries because a Li- element
Ion is equivalent to three Ni-MH elements. The second difference, which is one of the main
The advantages of Li-Ion include the absence of the memory effect unlike Ni-MH. Indeed, to last,
Ni-MH batteries should only be recharged when they are almost empty while
Li-Ion batteries increase in longevity when charged as desired.
According to:[Link]
[Link]

Page 8 of 13
Annex 2 :

Source:[Link]

Page 9 of 13
TSTI2D and TSTL Theme: electric energy storage Corrected

Exercice 1 : des choix technologiques pour la réalisation du cœur artificiel


1.1. • To increase autonomy.
• To reduce the mass of the battery.
1.2.1. O2+ 4 H+ + 4 e– = 2 H2O
1.2.2. O2+ 4 H+ + 4 e– = 2 H2O
H2= 2 H+ + 2 e– (×2)
O2+ 2 H2= 2 H2O

1.2.3. Hydrogen loses electrons, it is therefore oxidized: the electrode is thus the anode.
1.2.4.

2.1. At P = 27 W and E = P × Δt = 27 × 12 = 324 W·h.


Let E = 324 × 3,600 = 1.2 × 10^6 J
2.2. E 1.2×106
Q== ≈2.9×105C
U 4
5
2.3. Q 2.9 times 10
Q= n(e–) × F so n(e–) = = approximately 3.0 moles
F 96 500

Or, according to the stoichiometric coefficients of the half-equation of the couple H+/H2,
1 mol of dihydrogen produces 2 mol of electrons.
So for with n(e–n = 3.0 mol, a quantity of hydrogen is neededH21.5 mol.

3.1. 20°C = 20 + 273 = 293 K

Page 10 of 13
3.2. According to the appendix, at 293 K, dihydrogen can only be solid or gaseous:

3.3. In the tank, the pressure is 12 bar, so dihydrogen is gaseous:

3.4. At a P = 12 bar = 12.105Pa and V = 0.8 L = 0.8 x 10-3m3

P× V 12.105× 0.8.10-3
According to the ideal gas law: n = = 0.39 mol.
R×T 8,31×293

3.5. We saw (question 2.3) that 1.5 moles of dihydrogen are needed: the tank is not sufficient.
for a battery life of 12 hours.

Exercise 2: lithium iron phosphate batteries


1.1. The advantages of the LFP battery are:
• It is the safest technology.
• This type of battery is more robust than lead batteries (no
sulfation phenomenon.
• It is not necessary to fully charge the battery before it
reuse.
• The ambient temperature has little impact on battery performance.
• It has a low internal resistance.
• It can be recharged many times (2000).

Page 11 of 13
It is not harmful to the environment.
The disadvantages of the LFP battery are:
The cost of obtaining 1 W·h of energy is high.
Its mass energy is not the greatest compared to its competitors.

1.2. 12.8
= 4 so the battery consists of 4 associated cells
3.2
in series:

2.1. At the anode, oxidation occurs.


At the level of the cathode, a reduction occurs.

2.2. Li + + e– + FePO4 → LiFePO 4


LiC 6 → 6C + Li+ + e–
Li + + FePO4+ LiC6 → LiFePO 4+ 6C + Li+

After simplifying the lithium ions, we obtain:


FePO 4+ LiC6LiFePO
→ 4+ 6C

2.3.
2.4.

Exercise 3: the lithium ion battery


1.1. In the electrolyte, it is the Li ions.+ who are responsible for the transition of the
current.

1.2. In the wires, it is the electrons that are responsible for the passage of the
current.

Page 12 of 13
1.3.

During discharge, the current flows out of the positive terminal of the battery to enter through
the negative terminal: electrons move in the opposite direction of the current.

1.4. at the electrode of the - pole: Li = Li+ + e–


at the electrode of the + pole: CoO2+ Li+ + e– = CoLiO2

1.5. At the pole -, during the discharge, there is production of electrons: it is therefore a
oxidation (loss of electrons).

2.1. According to Annex 2, a Li-Ion battery has a mass energy of between 90


and 110 W·h·kg-1.

E E
Emassive = so m =
m Emassive

So the mass is between:


hW 6 . 7 5
gk2 5 . 0= gk46 . 0
g ·1 k · h <Wm < 0 9
110 Wh·k·g 1

2.2. Ni-MH batteries have a specific energy between 55 and 65 W·h·kg.-1.


To store an energy of 57.6 W·h, these batteries will have a mass of
between:
hW 6 . 7 5 hW 6 . 7 5
gk98 . 0 =10, kg
65Wh·k·g1 <m< 55Wh·kg 1

These batteries are therefore heavier than Li-Ion, so with Ni-MH batteries,
the device, heavier, will not be able to operate as long as with Li-
ion.

2.3. Li-Ion batteries have no memory effect: they can be recharged even if they
are not "empty".
Li-Ion batteries are more powerful than Ni-MH.
Li-Ion batteries have a higher volumetric energy than Ni-MH: for
with the same energy, they are less bulky.

Page 13 of 13

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