Development of methods for the characterization of 12 M KOH zincate fuel for green energy backup systems

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Green energy generation systems require backup systems on cloudy days (in the case of solar panels) or when there is no wind (in the case of windmills). ZincNyx Energy Solutions manufactures such backup systems. In order to improve the efficiency of their systems, they require analysis of the fuel used in order to better understand the processes occurring, including which contaminants accumulate over time, so as to determine where improvements could be made. As a major component of the fuel attacks glass, it cannot be analyzed using conventional instrumentation. Existing methods are cumbersome or involve dilution, which degrades the detection limit, i.e. the minimum amount that can be detected, and can introduce contamination in the process. During this project, simple modifications to existing analytical instrumentation will be made to enable the direct multi-element analysis of the fuel and of the particles that it contains. This will allow verification of its composition and will provide information on contaminants as well as on suspended particulate matter that play a critical role. The information gained through regular monitoring of their processes, which will be enabled by the new methods to be developed during this project, will allow ZincNyx Energy Solutions to continuously improve their product. This should not only allow them to remain competitive but should allow them to expand, including the creation of new jobs. As well, their product will help entice a Canada-wide move to green energy sources. The methods to be developed should also be useful for the development of alkaline fuel cells, as they will allow measurement of the stability of components in such medium.