The simplest definition of a Primary Battery refers to a voltaic battery or cell which is used once and then discarded. Though recharging is not possible in primary batteries, these batteries have an additional advantage of less cost per battery and convenience. The history of primary batteries goes back to 200 years, when an Italian researcher Alessandro Volta in 1800 created his first primary battery.
Advantages
a) Primary batteries are best suited for low drain and low cost applications. For example: watches, toys and hearing aids
b) Convenient, simple, and easy to use
c) Acceptable cost
d) Require little to no maintenance
e) Good shelf life
f) Can be sized and shaped to fit the application
g) Reliable
h) Reasonable energy and power density
Types of Primary Batteries
a) Zinc-Carbon Battery: Also known as The Leclanche cell or zinc-carbon dry cell battery is the most widely used battery type. The battery has many benefits, like good performance, ready availability and low cost.
b) Zinc/ Manganese Dioxide/ Alkaline Battery: It is bit more expensive than The Leclanche cell, but it is well suited for applications that require low temperature or high rate capabilities. Alkaline batteries are selected for applications wherein the battery is utilized irregularly and exposed to uncontrolled storage conditions, for example: smoke alarms and flash lights.
c) Cadmium/Mercuric Oxide Battery: Again because of materials like mercury and cadmium, the use of Cadmium/Mercuric Oxide Battery is limited; however, cadmium taking the place of zinc anode made this battery a very stable system with great shelf life and performance both at low and high temperatures.
d) Lithium Batteries: A relatively recent development in primary batteries is the Lithium battery. These batteries support a wide temperature range, high energy density and long shelf life.
Applications:
a) Specialist batteries used for: Implanted medical devices, Missiles and Weapons systems.
b) Consumer batteries used in: Hearing aids, Watches, Toys, Radios, Clocks and Flashlights.
Related Articles:
Rechargeable vs. single-use batteries
Dry cell battery
The Leclanche cell
Lithium Batteries
