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Gold/Mining/Energy : Silver prices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Zardoz who wrote (4389)	1/11/2002 7:53:10 AM
From: long-gone	Respond to of 8010

Let all who think future silver demand will be reduced gop to the black board & write 1000 times "Fuel Cell FuelCell Fuel Cell = continuous operating battery ". applications. Fuel cells are often referred to as "a continuous operating battery.") Batteries: The Navy programs involve lead-acid batteries and silver-zinc batteries. Lead-acid batteries are used in submarines, including SEA WOLF and the new attack submarine (NSSN). The batteries weigh as much as 269,000 Ibs. (TRIDENT) and occupy a huge compartment provided with exhaust fans to remove any evolved hydrogen. One small submarine, NR-1,uses silver-zinc batteries that are more suited than the lead.:acid type to fit in a small compartment (it weighs only 4700 Ibs.!). The difference between lead-acid and silver-zinc batteries in weight and volume is in the order of 4 to 1 for equivalent energy , which makes the silver-zinc battery more attractive from this viewpoint. However the battery is limited to 1.5 to 2 years of life and is much more expensive, while the lead-acid battery can last more than 6 years. It is expected that with the new design used in SEAWOLF, battery life can be extended to over 10 years. Silver-zinc batteries are also used in deep submergence vehicles, such as Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) and the Deep Submergence Vehicles (DSVs). Intercell Connector Redesign: The latest development work undertaken by JJMA involves the redesign of the intercell connector for the DSRV batteries. The intercell connectors are insulated bus bars that are used to connect tenninals between adjacent cells Our objective was to find a more cost-effective design, since the existing intercell connector is unusable after 2 to 5 removals and re-installations. Materials and manufacturing engineers suggested a design, wrote the product specification, and placed the order with a vendor. The new design has been successfully tested by JJMA 's contractor; removal and reinstallation has been demonstrated more than 50 times. We have had a full set delivered, installed on a new DSRV battery, and successfully tested at Port Hueneme prior to delivery to the fleet. Ag-Zn Battery Improvements: Another area of our work involves the design of experimental silver-zinc cells to test the value of various separator systems to prolong the life of the batteries. Cells designed and ordered by JJMA from a vendor were delivered to NSWC-Crane laboratory for testing. On the basis of the test results, one specific system was selected. NA V SEA then modified a current contract ofDSRV batteries with one of their vendors, in order to introduce this separator system in some sample cells which will be delivered to NSWC-Crane and tested there according to JJMA instructions. In addition, JJMA is developing new materials for molding of DSRV, DSV, and NR-l cell cases and covers. The existing specified molding material results in a 25 percent rejection rate due to crazing and cracking during cooldown. The material recommended by JJMA promises less expensive production costs, a more reliable product, and should encourage more molders to bid on manufacturing both cases and covers. jjma.com