Google is not affiliated with the authors of this page nor responsible for its content. These search terms have been highlighted: seawater magnesium battery
Annex: Other accidents which already happened UK Met. Office (information provided by Wynn Jones):
Some years ago UK Met. Office had a buoy invert because the foot had been removed by fishermen or other unauthorised persons. When the buoy was eventually retrieved after it had drifted ashore there was some evidence that some of the batteries had come loose and had shorted against the steel lid of the container pod they are housed in, causing an explosion. However, the explosion was contained within the buoy hull which remained water tight. There was no injury to anyone and the buoy, and most of its electronics were reused. After that, UKMO modified the brackets that hold the batteries in place such that they will not move even if inverted. UKMO practise of housing them in their own stainless steel container which is itself inside the steel hull of the buoy probably minimises the consequences such an explosion can cause.
NDBC (information provided by Eric Meindl, emeindl([at]ndbc.noaa.gov):
A short summary of findings and activities at NDBC with respect to dealing with explosive gases in moored buoys is given below. NDBC efforts began in 1988 when an aluminium buoy (6-m NOMAD type), returned from the field and just opened up within NDBC industrial facility, exploded. As a result, NDBC now uses meters to sample the interior of all buoys. NDBC have experienced one or two other explosions at sea with no injuries, and many incidents when technicians have taken air samples, found the situation dangerous, and implemented special procedures to vent the buoy. Information below addresses specifically the NDBC buoys, which are vented systems, not sealed as other systems might be. Nevertheless, there may be some information others can use to make their procedures safer. NDBC also has specific, detailed reports of their experiences and what they know. These can be made available upon request.
Summary of NDBC Buoy Power System Flammable Gas
Problems and Solutions
1. Hydrogen gas generation in buoys:
Hydrogen gas mixtures in air are flammable between 4% and 75% by volume Accumulation rates increase with poor buoy ventilation (water intrusion blocks the lower center compartment vent) Electrolysis (the conductive path is from the positive terminal, through seawater moisture on the exterior of batteries to the buoy hull). Reduction of battery electrolyte (potassium hydroxide and zinc), aluminum and seawater. The primary batteries are located near the bottom of the buoy center compartment. Normal charging of secondary batteries and discharging of primary batteries Microbial induced corrosion 2. Hydrogen Gas Generation Past Incidents:
SSC/6N03 1988 Explosion resulted in one death & one injury (a) 44013/3D22 12 Sep. 97 Buoy returned to SSC with 100% LEL 46027/3D24 14 Oct. 97 Caustic residues in bottom of compartment (b) 46013/3D21 30 Oct. 97 Caustic residues; 100% LEL in 4 voids (b) 43D34/3D34 11 Nov. 97 Caustic residues; 100% LEL in void #2 (b) 46030/3DV07 21 Sep. 99 Buoy exploded prior to a service visit 46014/3D59 3 Oct. 99 Buoy Exploded during service visit (b) 42035/3D24 3 Nov. 99 100% LEL due to plugged vents (b) 42039/3D56 6 Nov. 00 100% LEL in a compartment; stuck vent valves
(a) The generation of hydrogen was caused by impurities in the primary batteries received from the manufacturer.
(b) The generation of hydrogen was caused by seawater intrusion into the battery compartment.
3. Hydrogen Gas Mitigation:
Obtained expert Marine Chemist Consultants Improved tests of buoy hatch and cable penetrations Installed a third battery compartment vent tube (if the buoy leaks, the lower vent ) is blocked by water Improved watertight integrity of hatch gaskets and multiplug penetrations Increased buoy freeboard Improved equipment compartment ventilation Installed a seal fence to reduce excessive loading on hatch covers Provided sufficient clearance between the hatch cover lip and the dog-bolt tabs Improved hatch gasket deficiencies (insufficient gasket stiffness, gaps in the hatch gasket joint, and the position of the gasket joint relative to the bow of the buoy) Filled voids with inert gas Maintain safe entry procedures and training Installed explosive gas sensors (FAA) Deduced the use of primary batteries.The future goal is to discontinue the use of primary batteries. Bilge pumps (not yet implemented)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News Release - January 22, 2003
MagPower completes testing of Magnesium-Air Fuel Cell on Ultra Guard's portable water purification system.
VANCOUVER, BC, Canada ﾖ MagPower Systems Inc. announces the successful testing of its Magnesium-Air Fuel Cell as a power source for Ultra Guard's portable water purification system.
Having supplied to MagPower the portable water purification system, testing was conducted at MagPower's lab facilities by Joey Jung at BC Research Inc. with Mr. Ken Fielding, President of Ultra Guard present for this momentous occasion.
Bruce W. Downing, President of MagPower Systems Inc. "This was the first direct use of our fuel cell on a specific application and we are extremely pleased with the results".
Ultra Guard has offices in Langley BC and will be making available their system worldwide using MagPower's Magnesium-Air Fuel Cell. MagPower's fuel cell operates with a salt-water electrolyte combined with the companies patent pending Hydrogen Inhibitors. With its indefinite shelf life, the Magnesium-Air Fuel Cell has distinct advantages over heavy lead acid batteries that are currently used.
MagPower Systems Inc. is an energy systems company that is focused on the development of innovative energy solutions based on its patent pending hydrogen Inhibitors. Through the application of its Hydrogen Inhibitors, MagPower has developed a Magnesium-Air Fuel Cell and the ability to reduce production costs in the electrowinning process (zinc, copper, nickel), coolants, hydrogen embrittlement, anodizing, zinc alkaline batteries, electroplating, waste water recycling and metal-air power sources (zinc, aluminum).
News Release - January 14, 2003
MagPower completes testing of Hydrogen Inhibitors for Mitsui Corporation's zinc electrowinning process.
VANCOUVER, BC, Canada ﾖ MagPower Systems Inc. announces the successful testing of its Hydrogen Inhibitors in Mitsui Corporation's zinc electrowinning process. MagPower's Hydrogen Inhibitors increase the current efficiency in the electrowinning process, thus reducing production costs.
Having supplied to MagPower the electrolyte used in their electrowinning process, testing of MagPower's Hydrogen Inhibitors was conducted by Dr. David Dreisinger, University of British Columbia. Calculated results on the first run of tests indicate annual savings of $2.5 Million in the production of Mitsui's zinc.
Bruce W. Downing, President of MagPower Systems Inc. "We are very pleased to be working with Mitsui and with the results of the test".
Mitsui has offices in Tokyo and Osaka with their electrowinning facilities located in Kamioka and Hikoshima, Japan.
MagPower Systems Inc. is an energy systems company that is focused on the development of innovative energy solutions based on its patent pending hydrogen Inhibitors. Through the application of its Hydrogen Inhibitors, MagPower has developed a Magnesium-Air Fuel Cell and the ability to reduce production costs in the electrowinning process (zinc, copper, nickel), coolants, hydrogen embrittlement, anodizing, zinc alkaline batteries, electroplating, waste water recycling and metal-air power sources (zinc, aluminum).
Introducing a Cleaner, Safer, Cheaper and More Versatile Fuel Cell
VANCOUVER, BC, March 29, 2002 ﾖ MagPower Systems is introducing a proprietary Magnesium-Air Power Cell (MAPC) as a primary, alternative and emergency power generator. MAPC's greater safety and cost savings are significant advantages over the better-known hydrogen fuel cell (HFC).
Cleaner Bruce Downing, President of MagPower Systems Inc, says: "The Magnesium-Air Power Cell supports the global push for a sustainable environment. MAPC is more easily recycled. It is clean, green and consumes no fossil fuels. No toxic emissions are produced, thus reducing harmful greenhouse effects. To recharge the cell, you basically replace the magnesium core and the salt or sea-water electrolyte. "
Safer The simple magnesium anode and natural electrolyte make this cell less combustible than a hydrogen fuel cell. It does not require a safety-sealed fuel storage like HFC. The fuel can either be magnesium or a magnesium-alloy, while the fuel for HFC must be pure hydrogen. This makes MAPC easily transported by plane with no special safety permits. It is safe around children since magnesium is non-toxic. All of these features make MAPC better for consumer products.
Cheaper MAPC has an indefinite shelf life because the electrolyte can be removed before storage. When power is needed, the electrolyte is poured back into the cell. No other electrolyte in a non-magnesium fuel cell, power generator nor battery can be removed, stored and reused by the consumer. This sustainability provides a reliable source of power for emergency situations.
In addition to the inexpensive saline solution, the cell has fewer parts so production is less costly and faster than with HFC. This also makes the MAPC less expensive than HFC per 12-volt system. Downing explains the technical findings of a 12-volt unit: "There is more electric yield per cell, 80% v. 45% to 60%. The voltage is higher per cell, 1.6 v. 0.8. Operating temperatures are lower, 55o C instead of 70o to 100o C. And it can operate at temperatures as low as ﾖ10o C, whereas HFC cannot operate well at low temperatures."
More Versatile The cleaner, safer, cheaper qualities mean greater adaptability of the technology. Four different MAPCs are being developed with strong support from the federal and provincial governments, and industry alliances. These include a portable unit (12 volt / 300 watt), an industrial unit (125 volts) with BC Hydro, an automobile unit with interest from Volvo Car Corporation, and a marine unit in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada. As a member of Team Canada in the fuel cell sector, MagPower demonstrated its expertise in Japan.
Active Ingredient The secret to the superior qualities of MAPC over HFC is the company's unique R&D approach to energy. Research in this magnesium-air technology began in the sixties, but no one was able to produce a viable product, as most of the energy loss was due to hydrogen formation. MagPower has successfully controlled the formation of hydrogen, which is the key to commercialization.
The company's R&D team at UBC and BC Research developed a breakthrough hydrogen inhibitor (HIT) as the controlling agent. Independent testing verified that instead of the usual rapidly decreasing power discharge curve, adding a hydrogen inhibitor produces a flat line power discharge. Downing says: "We're the only ones in the world so far who have figured out how to control hydrogen. By adding a hydrogen inhibitor to the electrolyte, energy outputs are now commercially viable."
No Reverse Engineering Most importantly, reverse engineering of the hydrogen inhibitor (HIT) process is not possible. MagPower can develop unique and customized HIT for various applications. This gives the company a significant position in the marketplace. With this advantage, MagPower filed two Intellectual Property patents in the USA for the specialized process of controlling hydrogen for MAPC and zinc electrowinning. The company also filed a patent with the World Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT), covering 84 countries.
Besides hydrogen reduction, HIT can be transferred to other electrochemical processes such as batteries and electrowinning (the plating out of metals from electrolytic solution in refining and waste-water treatment). For example, independent tests for zinc electrowinning confirmed that MagPower's inhibitor increased the current efficiency from 89% to 97%. The primary benefits include substantial power consumption savings with secondary savings from increased productivity, and reduction of health and safety hazards.
Licensing MagPower licenses its MAPC technology for specific applications (including manufacturing) and the use of HIT to mineral producers, but retains production of the hydrogen inhibitors. The abundant market utilizations for MAPC and HIT are significant and continuous revenues for MagPower. The licensing structure provides long-term growth for the company. McGroarty, a seasoned entrepreneur explains, "We're not here today, gone tomorrow. We're here for the future of BC. In order to develop more market niches with future applications, we're inviting all interested investors to examine our unique business model."
The Company MagPower Systems Inc., established 1999, is a private company whose purpose is to license the versatile Magnesium-Air Power Cell and patent-pending hydrogen inhibitor process. The President, Bruce W. Downing (M.Sc., P.Geo., FGAC), has over 25 years of technical experience and the CEO, Shawn A. McGroarty, has over 20 years of senior management experience in the corporate sector in Canada and the USA.
The Board of Directors is planning to list MagPower on a public exchange in 2004.
Email: CEO([at]magpowersystems.com Web address: www.magpowersystems.com
DISCLAIMER:
This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to future results of the company as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the successful commercialization of its alternative fuel cell technology; its ability to acquire and develop both new and existing forms of alternative energy technology; market acceptance and demand; pricing pressures and other competitive factors; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
