Lifecycle of Zinc

About Zinc

Zinc is a metal on the Periodic Table with an atomic number of 30. Zinc was originally discovered in 1746 by a german chemist by the name of, Andreas Marggraf. Also, over the past 100 years Zinc has proved to be a great source of energy. Zinc is a useful and important material in the making of Zinc-carbon batteries.

How is Zinc mined?

Mining Zinc

To start off, mining Zinc is usually conducted underground. The most common underground method of mining is the ore extraction. During ore extraction, tunnels are dug into the ground at moderate depths, that then go through a process of cut-and-fill stoping. Once the Zinc is removed from the Earth, the concentrate is roasted at 950 degrees Celsius. It then causes Zinc, sulfur, and iron to oxidize. As a result, Zinc takes its final form.

How is Zinc refined?

Refining Zinc

Electrowinning is the most common process in refining Zinc. Electrowinning uses an electrolyic cell to reduce the Zinc. To begin this process, an electric current is run from a sliver anode through Zinc solution. The Zinc produces a negitavly charged electrode on aluminum. Then the Zinc is melted and casted into a block. It is casted into block for futher processeing.

How does Zinc oxidize?

Oxidizing Zinc

Metal oxidation occurs when an ionic chemical reaction takes place on a metal's surface, with the presence of oxygen. Therefore, in moist air, Zinc oxidizes and becomes coated with Zinc carbonate. Zinc carbonate protects Zinc from corrosion. As a result, Zinc completes oxidizing.

How are Zinc-carbon batteries manufactured?

Manufacture of Zinc-carbon batteries

All batteries are utilized to create energy. The Zinc-carbon battery however, is the oldest type of battery and is most popular for its low-cost. The battery of a solid Zinc electrode (anode) is made with a chloride solution, to immoblilze in the form of paste in the battery. In the Zinc-carbon battery Zinc serves as a container for the electrode (anode).

Why are Zinc-carbon batteries used?

Using Zinc-carbon batteries

Zinc-carbon batteries are used worldwide. Zinc-carbon batteries have a great price for quality ratio. Also, it is considered a reliable source of power for appliances that consume little energy. For instance, they are used in TV remotes, clocks, and smoke detectors. Zinc-carbon batteries provide a great everday life resource that is priced reasonably and is also reliable.

Where can people get a Zinc-carbon battery?

Finding Zinc-carbon batteries

Zinc-carbon batteries are used in a persons' everday life including the objects they may use. Therefore, batteries need to be in stores nearby. Some stores that sell Zinc-carbon batteries are Home Depot and on Amazon. Zinc-carbon batteries sell as $21.84 for a 4 pack on Amazon. At Home Depot, Zinc-carbon batteries sell for $6.40 for a 20 pack.

Can Zinc-carbon batteries be recycled?

Recycling Zinc-carbon batteries

Zinc-carbon batteries are recycled by using a high temperature metal method to melt the metals within the battery. As a result, the metals are reused in new products, making Zinc-carbon batteries 100% recyclable. Not only that, Zinc-carbon batteries can also be recycled the same way as alkaline batteries. After the Zinc-carbon battery is recycled, it repeats the cycle of refining and oxidation.

Can Zinc in Zinc-carbon batteries lead to enviornmental issues?

Environmental Issues

Zinc is typically a non-toxic to humans and animals. The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) listed Zinc compounds "Substances Generally Recognized As Safe" in dietary supplements. Also, ZInc is important for nutrients in humans, meaning if people did not take Zinc in supplemental form they would be mineral deficient. Not only that, Zinc is applied to crops to improve quality and increase yields. On the other hand, Zinc can be toxic to aquaic life. Through research scientists were able to find that invertabrates are more sensitive to Zinc than certain fish species.

Questions

Questions

a) There is energy used in all the steps of the Zinc cycle, beginning with the mining to the manufacturing. All the steps use great amounts of energy, but an example would be anode and cathode in electrochemical cells which produce electricity.

b) Zinc has a chemical property of sulfide ores, which allows it to form Zinc oxide. Then Zinc oxide can form a Zinc metal.

c) There has been a lower supply and demand for Zinc-carbon batteries due to the market decreasing in sellin Zinc-carbon batteries. Rechargeable batteries may replace Zinc-carbon batteries because they reduce waste and are good for the enviornment.

d) In 2017, The Zinc-carbon battery market, began to suffer, maintaining the average annual growth rate of -5.65% from $2.5 million in 2013 to $2.1 million in 2016. By 2021 the market size will reach $1.8 million. This has occured due to the numerous amount of people purchasing environmentally friendly rechargable batteries over Zinc-carbon batteries.