Advances in Repurposing and Recycling of Post-Vehicle-Application Lithium-Ion Batteries

Increased electrification of vehicles has increased the use of lithium-ion batteries for energy storage, and raised the issue of what to do with post-vehicle-application batteries. Three possibilities have been identified: 1) remanufacturing for intended reuse in vehicles; 2) repurposing for non-vehicle, stationary storage applications; and 3) recycling, extracting the precious metals, chemicals and other byproducts. Advances in repurposing and recycling are presented, along with a mathematical model that forecasts the manufacturing capacity needed for remanufacturing, repurposing, and recycling. Results obtained by simulating the model show that up to a 25% reduction in the need for new batteries can be achieved through remanufacturing, that the sum of repurposing and remanufacturing capacity is approximately constant across various scenarios encouraging the sharing of resources, and that the need for recycling capacity will be significant by 2030. A repurposing demonstration shows the use of post-vehicle-application batteries to support a semi-portable recycling platform. Energy is collected from solar panels, and dispensed to electrical devices as required. Recycling may be complicated: lithium-ion batteries produced by different manufacturers contain different active materials, particularly for the cathodes. In all cases, however, the collecting foils used in the anodes are copper, and in the cathodes are aluminum. A common recycling process using relatively low acid concentrations, low temperatures, and short time periods was developed and demonstrated

Partial Compensation of Large Scale Discrete Systems

Abstract-This paper addresses the problem of partial state feedback compensation for large scale discrete systems. The eigenvalues of the closed-loop matrix should lie within a designated region of the z-domain to satisfy both stability and damping requirements. The system is to be compensated in such a way that only the eigenvalues that lie outside the desired region are affected. This is achieved through the use of the fast matrix sector function to decompose the system without solving for the eigenvalues. The decomposed system is then controlled using LQR design techniques. I. INTRODUCTION The control of large scale systems, such as large space structures[1] and networks[2], continues to provide challenging computational problems. For systems on the order of a hundred states or more, the conventional algorithms, pole placement and linear quadratic control, are computationally impractical. With that, this paper expands on earlier work by Misra et al We first assume that the system is represented by its state equations: S :ẋ(k) = Ax(k) + Bu(k

Integrity Monitoring for Multiple Errors in Vision Navigation Systems

In aviation applications, navigation integrity is paramount. Integrity of GPS systems is well established with set standards. Vision-based navigation systems have been found to be an adequate substitute for GPS when it is unavailable but are unlikely to be utilized until there is a measure for system integrity. Work has been done to detect the effect of a single measurement pair being corrupted with a bias; however, the measurement geometry varies greatly with the environment. The environment could be sparse in visual features to track, or the environment could be rich with features. With more features, there is a greater probability of having multiple corrupted measurements. It is essential that multiple corrupt measurements are detected and excluded to assure the integrity and reliability of the system. In addition, misalignment errors in the camera system results in systematic errors that are undetectable by current methods. This dissertation focuses on understanding the existing integrity monitoring methods and using them for the detection of multiple errors in vision-based navigation systems, as well as, developing a technique for detecting systematic errors due to camera misalignment and scaling. These methods are developed analytically and verified by using simulations. These simulations serve to demonstrate the usefulness of these methods in achieving the goal of this research to further the area of integrity monitoring for vision systems, so it could eventually be used as a trusted system and as a back-up for GPS navigation

Integrity Monitoring Techniques for Vision Navigation Systems

In aviation applications, navigation integrity is paramount. Integrity of GPS systems is well established with set standards. Vision based navigation systems have been found to be an adequate substitute for GPS, when it is unavailable but are unlikely to be utilized until there is a measure for system integrity. Work has been done to detect the effect of a single measurement pair being corrupted with a bias; however, the measurement geometry varies greatly with the environment. The environment could be sparse in visual features to track, or the environment could be rich with features. With more features, there is a greater probability of having multiple corrupted measurements. It is essential that multiple corrupt measurements are detected and excluded to assure the integrity and reliability of the system. This thesis focuses on understanding the existing integrity monitoring methods and using them for the detection of multiple errors in vision-based navigation systems. The current techniques are found to have the ability to detect single and multiple errors, but they cannot isolate them. This thesis develops an algorithm with the ability to isolate multiple erroneous measurements adding to the capabilities of existing integrity monitoring fault detection and isolation techniques

Motivating non-electrical and computer engineering students to learn C Programming

All too often manufacturing and mechanical engineering students perceive computer programming as irrelevant to their studies. This is not surprising in that computer programming is taught almost exclusively with non-manufacturing examples. To address this problem a programming project was created for a freshman class. The project focused on a tolerance stack with a gap specification. The paper outlines the tolerance problem, core programming concepts, and the final solution. The programming assignment and a sample solution are provided in the appendices for reuse or modification for other engineering schools

Utilizing Repurposed Automotive Lithium Ion Cells for Stationary Energy Storage

Due to the nature of the battery chemistry, most automotive Li-ion battery packs will need to be replaced after approximately 10 years of service. After that time, they are no longer suitable for their original application, but most will have approximately 80% of their energy storage capacity remaining. Based on sales over the last few years (and future projections), battery packs will start coming out of vehicles in large quantities around 2020. These cells are suitable for repurposing applications. To demonstrate the effectiveness of repurposing automotive Li-ion cells, a small stationary energy storage system was constructed that could easily have more cells added to power essential appliances in a small home. Data collection capabilities of the system enable it to be used for testing of multiple types of cells or modules. Such information is crucial for the development of a cell repurposing program. The constructed energy storage system was used to demonstrate grouped cell characteristics, as well as Battery Management System functionality. The basis of this work can be expanded and used for different Li-Ion cells, while providing a stepping stone towards the construction of a larger system for a stationary energy storage application. Adequate monitoring and battery management can be obtained through the implementation of an off-the-shelf system, or with the original manufacturers monitoring system if it is thoroughly understood

Partial compensation of large scale discrete systems

This paper addresses the problem of partial state feedback compensation for large scale discrete systems. The eigenvalues of the closed-loop matrix should lie within a designated region of the z-domain to satisfy both stability and damping requirements. The system is to be compensated in such a way that only the eigenvalues that lie outside the desired region are affected. This is achieved through the use of the fast matrix sector function to decompose the system without solving for the eigenvalues. The decomposed system is then controlled using LQR design techniques. © 2010 AACC

Electro-Optical Grid Reference System (EOGRS) Receiver Optimization

PURPOSE: The EOGRS is defined as a relative navigation system. The system allows navigation with respect to the coordinates of a transmitter. The purpose of this project was to explore and implement optimizations to the existing prototype system. The goal of this overall system is to achieve one nautical mile (or ~6000 ft.). PROCEDURES: Examination of key components of the system were completed. Areas for improvement were chosen that had the potential for greatest impact on increasing the systems dynamic range. The chosen areas for optimization were Laser Modulation, Demodulation & Signal Processing, and Interface. Research, analysis, design, verification and demonstrations were then completed in each area. OUTCOME: First, the present modulation scheme was updated to M-PPM (P-2, M=12) to improve the pk to average optical power. Increasing the pk power by 4x would result in 2x distance improvement. M-PPM (P-2, M=12) is shown to increase the pk to average optical power from 2x to 6x while maintaining an acceptable BER and sub grid resolution. Second, the comparator demodulation was replaced with a discrete time signal processor, greatly improving receiver sensitivity, allowing for a dynamic demodulation threshold. This change improved the performance of the tested system from 1000’ to 2500’. Lastly, a new CAN Bus interface was chosen that allowed for a versatile plug-in-play architecture. IMPACT: The explored updates performed together, along with the added future project considerations, has the potential to push the system performance to beyond 5000’, approaching the goal of one nautical mile