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Content archived on 2024-06-10

Strategies for further improvement of performance and life of lead-acid batteries for electric vehicle

Objective



This project is designed to follow, and build upon, the results achieved in project be 7297. while still incomplete, certain key outcomes of the research can be stated;
At the high rates of discharge experienced in EV applications, active material utilisation is limited by acid availability rather than paste conductivity. Thus there is limited scope for improvements to specific by additives to the positive active mass.
Key factors in the improvement of cycle life of the valve-regulated (maintenance-free) lead-acid battery have been shown to be, compression of the active mass by the separator, the construction of the absorptive glass mat separator and the nature of the charge regime employed to recharge the battery after use.
It has been possible to enhance considerably, the properties of the grid alloys used (strength and corrosion resistance) by additions of tin and silver. Work elsewhere has shown that rapid charging techniques, as well radically reducing recharging times, can improve cycle life of flat plate batteries apparently by modifying active material structure. Such techniques can however result in elevated temperatures in the battery which can be detrimental to negative plate life. Also certain test regimes for EV batteries have demonstrated that the negative plate can fail under the influence of repeated and prolonged, high-rate discharge pulses. Accordingly the work in the Project will focus in three areas;
The improvement of specific energy and life of lead-acid batteries by the development of light-weight tubular designs using the high-strength, corrosion resistant alloys mentioned above. In this type of battery, the positive active material is constrained between the alloy spine and a porous fabric gauntlet, thus reducing opportunities for paste shedding on softening during cycling. Operating this type of battery under compression, in an AGM design, will help to maintain electronic conductivity within the active material, especially with the lower paste densities required for higher utilisation. Rapid charging techniques will also be tried on these designs.
The study of separator compression across the plate stack as a whole to determine the reasons for the early initial loss of capacity experienced in these designs. Several different separator designs will be studied to overcome problems of acid stratification and relaxation of compression during service.
The mechanism of the degradation of the negative plate will be studied under conditions of electric vehicle service and, following this, work will be carried out to develop improved expander additives for the maintenance of the required open structure in the negative active mass. The work is expected to result in further improvements to cycle life and specific energy of the lead-acid battery and a consequent reduction in running costs. This will in turn make the performance and COSt of an electric vehicle more attractive and hence improve their marketability. This will be done with out detriment to the current inherent good recyclability of the lead-acid battery

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Coordinator

European Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium
EU contribution
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Address
42,Weymouth Street
W1N 3LQ London
United Kingdom

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Total cost

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Participants (2)

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