The Zinc/Air fuel cell is unlike most fuel cell technologies, as it does not require a high-pressure or high-temperature operating
environment. In addition, it does not require the use of fuel reformers.
The technology produces electrical energy by the same processes that occur in zinc/air batteries, but as a regenerative technology does not need to be disposed of after discharge, and can be refueled in a simple process. The zinc fuel is in the form of pellets 0.5 to 0.8 mm in diameter.
When all or part of the zinc fuel is transformed into zinc oxide, the cell is then refueled by removing the reaction product, and adding fresh pellets and electrolyte. The pellets are suspended in the electrolyte fluid, so the process is similar to any non-flammable fluid transfer process. Alternatively, the regeneration components can be packaged with the fuel cell to form a complete system that recharges automatically upon the application of external power. Round-cycle efficiency is approximately 50%.