LEAD ACID CELL
JAGADISH TRIPATHY
Jr. Manager, Electrical Dept.
Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.
Barbil, Odisha
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Contents
History
Introduction
Cell Theory
Construction
Charging Methods
Causes of Battery Failure
Maintenance
Safety Measures
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History
Lead acid batteries
were invented in
1859 by Gaston
Planté
First demonstrated
to the French
Academy of
Sciences in 1860.
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Introduction
A battery is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
A cell is the basic electrochemical unit.
A battery consists of one or more cells connected in series, or in parallel, or both.
Batteries, in general, are classified as primary, i.e., non-rechargeable, or
secondary, i.e., rechargeable. Zinc-manganese dioxide, LeClanche’ or alkaline,
cells are primary batteries. Lead-acid batteries are secondary batteries.
Advanced secondary batteries include nickel metal hydride and lithium ion.
Types of lead-acid batteries include round or cylindrical and prismatic or
rectangular cells.
Lead acid batteries can be classified further as wet, flooded( free), or VRLA (valve
regulated lead acid) which includes gel and AGM (absorbed glass mat).
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PRIMARY CELLS
CANNOT BE RECHARGED
CHEMICAL PROCESS NOT
REVERSABLE
ZINC CARBON (1.5V)
ALKALINE (1.5V)
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SECONDARY CELLS
CAN BE RECHARGED
CHEMICAL REACTION
REVERSABLE
LEAD ACID (2.0V)
NICKEL - CADMIUM (1.2V)
NICKEL - METAL HYDRIDE (1.2V)
LITHIUM – ION (3.3V)
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Types Of Rechargeable Lead Acid Batteries
• STARTING/CRANKING BATTERIES
• DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES
• DUAL PURPOSE BATTERIES
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STARTING/CRANKING BATTERIES
MANY THIN PLATES
LARGE AMOUNT OF CURRENT DELIVERY
OVER SHORT TIME
DAMAGE CAUSED IF DEEPLY DISCHARGED
• DEEP CYCLE BATTERIES
• FEWER THICKER PLATES
• LOWER CURRENT DELIVERY OVER LONG
PERIODS
• CAN BE DISCHARGED BY 50% WITHOUT
DAMAGE
DUAL PURPOSE BATTERIES
COMPROMISE BETWEEN MANY THIN
PLATES AND FEWER THICK PLATES
CAN BE DISCHARGED BY 50%
FEWER CYCLES THAN DEEP CYCLE
BATTERY
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Basic Charging Methods
Constant Voltage Cheap battery chargers
Constant Current Switches off at voltage set-point
Taper Current Unregulated constant voltage
Pulsed charge Voltage PWM, on/rest/on
Negative Pulse Charge Short discharge pulse
IUI Charging Constant I, constant V, equalize
IUO Charging Constant I, constant V, float
Trickle charge Compensate for self discharge
Float charge Constant voltage below gassing
V
Random charging Solar panel, KERS
Battery Basics-Cell Chemistry D
At the positive plate: PbO2 + 4H+ + SO42- + 2e- PbSO4 +
2H2O C
D
At the negative plate: Pb + SO42- C PbSO4 + 2e-
D
Total Cell Reaction: PbO2 + Pb +2H2SO4 C 2PbSO4 +2H2O
Note: Active materials include lead dioxide, lead and sulfuric
acid.
Note: Battery OCV depends only acid specific gravity and the
cell voltage can be approximated by V = 0.84 + acid specific
gravity.
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When a battery discharges the electrolyte
dilutes and the sulphur deposits on the
lead plates.
When the battery is recharged the
process reverses and the sulphur dissolves
into the electrolyte.
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Construction
Positive electrode
Negative electrode
Electrolyte
Separator
Cell cover and Vent plugs
Battery Terminals
Cell Connectors
Container
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II. Conventional battery design
-
-
- +
- + All 6 cells are connected inside the
+
+ box to make a 12 volt battery
The case is filled with electrolyte
(+) and (-) plates are connected
(sulfuric acid & water)
to make a 2 volt cell.
Electrolyte must always cover the
battery plates (but don’t fill to top).
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BATTERY CROSS SECTION
Basic Charging Methods
Constant Voltage Cheap battery chargers
Constant Current Switches off at voltage set-point
Taper Current Unregulated constant voltage
Pulsed charge Voltage PWM, on/rest/on
Negative Pulse Charge Short discharge pulse
IUI Charging Constant I, constant V, equalize
IUO Charging Constant I, constant V, float
Trickle charge Compensate for self discharge
Float charge Constant voltage below gassing
V
Random charging Solar panel, KERS
Causes of Battery Failure
Electrolyte Level
A low electrolyte level exposes active material and any sulfate
hardens and resists chemical action.
Overcharging
Overcharging causes excessive gassing and high internal heat.
Undercharging
Battery voltage will be low. Also severe undercharging allows sulfate
on the plates to become hard & impossible to remove by normal
charging.
Corrosion
Spilled electrolyte and condensation from gassing may cause
corrosion on terminals, connectors. Such corrosion increases electrical
resistance, which reduces available voltage & charging effectiveness.
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Questions
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Thank You
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