Project Scope:

To build an autophagous battery pack demonstration to power an electrical load and to optimize the power production of the battery with respect to the surface area of the anode and cathode in contact with the electrolyte.

The objective of the project was to create an autophagous battery pack from galvanic materials and maximize the potential difference to power a small load. When the galvanic materials corrode electric current is produced. This current is captured and stored to provide the necessary power demanded by the load.

The greatest potential difference was found by researching the different material combinations for the galvanic couple and by performing experimental tests. The experimental setup consisted of setting the couples in a saltwater bath and connecting to a data acquisition system that recorded all data consistently during corrosion. The experiments tested material ratios, distance between materials, and material combinations. The stainless steel and aluminum, where the materials were only 1 inch apart and a material ration of 1:1, was determined to be the best option.

The power produced by the couples is not enough to support most loads directly. Therefore an electric circuit has to be used to condition the power produced by the battery pack in order to make it useful. This will be done by using a boost converter circuit.

Five design concepts were designed and analyzed. The final design selected was a pontoon boat with six galvanic couples hanging down from the platform. Calculations were performed to determine the maximum weight that can be sustained by the design platform. The maximum weight capacity was found to be 15.475 kg.