GB2333888A - Electrolyte management system for a lead-acid battery - Google Patents

Electrolyte management system for a lead-acid battery Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2333888A
GB2333888A GB9801487A GB9801487A GB2333888A GB 2333888 A GB2333888 A GB 2333888A GB 9801487 A GB9801487 A GB 9801487A GB 9801487 A GB9801487 A GB 9801487A GB 2333888 A GB2333888 A GB 2333888A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
electrolyte
management system
acid
lead
battery
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9801487A
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GB9801487D0 (en
GB2333888B (en
Inventor
David Robert Battlebury
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
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Priority to GB9801487A priority Critical patent/GB2333888B/en
Publication of GB9801487D0 publication Critical patent/GB9801487D0/en
Publication of GB2333888A publication Critical patent/GB2333888A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2333888B publication Critical patent/GB2333888B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/70—Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte
    • H01M50/77—Arrangements for stirring or circulating the electrolyte with external circulating path
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/06—Lead-acid accumulators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/61—Types of temperature control
    • H01M10/615—Heating or keeping warm
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
    • H01M10/654—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells located inside the innermost case of the cells, e.g. mandrels, electrodes or electrolytes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Filling, Topping-Up Batteries (AREA)

Abstract

In a lead-acid battery, in order to maximise the power density of each cell, the strength (specific gravity) of the electrolyte is maintained within predetermined limits. This is achieved by circulating the electrolyte through the battery cells and regularly testing its strength. If adjustment is necessary this is achieved by the addition of concentrated acid 9. Acid and water are stored in separate containers 8 and 19 and a method of separating them from the electrolyte mixture at the end of each recharge cycle is included. The electrolyte management system may also include temperature regulation. Where there is a plurality of cells the management system may be centralised and shared between all of the cells.

Description

ELECTROLYTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR A LEAD-ACID BATTERY This invention relates to the management of the electrolyte of a lead-acid secondary battery.
Conventional lead-acid battery cells involve lead and lead oxide pasted plates or filled tubes, separated by a membrane, contained within a box which is filled with an electrolyte. This electrolyte is made from a mixture of concentrated acid and water in a ratio of approximately one part acid to two parts water. The water serves no useful purpose except to dilute the acid. As the battery cells are discharged the strength of the electrolyte falls. Variations in the specific gravity of the electrolyte caused by acid stratification within a cell can also reduce the power density of the cell. The storage capacity of a cell will also fall if the cell is operated at a non optimal temperature.
According to the present invention there is provided a lead-acid battery electrolyte management system where the electrolyte is circulated through each battery cell by means of a pump and its strength is maintained within pre-determined limits by the addition of either concentrated acid or water as is necessary.
The electrolyte management system consists, in many instances, of a device for measuring the specific gravity, a circulating pump, valves and controller. It may also include equipment for separating some of the electrolyte back into it's constituents of acid and water, and equipment for ensuring the circulating electrolyte is maintained at a predetermined temperature.
For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of an example,to the accompanying drawing in which the Figure 1 illustrates the electrolyte management system.
The electrolyte management system shown in figure 1 consists of an acid circulation system with a specific gravity measuring device 17 located within each cell 21. If the measured strength of the electrolyte is within preset limits a pump 13 circulates the electrolyte from the cell 21 , through open valve 28 (valves 14,15 & 24 closed) and back to the cell. If the electrolyte is too weak (low specific gravity) then a suitable quantity of concentrated acid 9 is added from its container 8 to the circulating fluid by closing valves 28 & 15 and opening valves 14 & 24 to restore the acid to its required strength. Similarly if the electrolyte is too strong, water is added from its container 19 to the circulating fluid by opening valves 15 & 24 (14 & 28 closed) to bring it to within the specified strength.
At the completion of a conventional discharge - recharge cycle the electrolyte in both the cell 21 and the fluid container 8 will have a specific gravity of approximately 1.25. The water in store 19 will have been mixed with the electrolyte in the cell 21 and the container 8 and hence the water store 19 will be empty. For the process to be ready for the next discharge cycle the electrolyte in the container 8 has to be returned to its two components i.e. acid and water. This is achieved by closing valves 14,15 & 24 and turning on the heater 12 in the reservoir container 8. The water vapour produced will convert to water in the condenser 25 and be returned to the water storage container 19. The acid remaining in container 8.
The complete control of the process resides within the electrolyte management system controller 11. This receives inputs from the electrolyte specific gravity, temperature and level control sensors and from this information controls the sequence of operation of pumps, valves and heater.Electrolyte temperature control is achieved through the use of a temperature monitor 30 and an electrolyte heat exchanger 16.
In figure 2 a battery consisting of a plurality of cells is shown. The controller 11 sequences the operation of the electrolyte management system as it switches from cell to cell 21 and in turn operates the individual cell electrolyte flow valves 22 & 23.
The electrolyte management system and each individual cell, are provided with gas release vents 20 & 31 to avoid any build up of gas.

Claims (4)

  1. CLAIMS 1. A lead-acid battery electrolyte management system where the electrolyte is circulated through each battery cell by means of a pump and its strength is maintained within pre-determined limits by the addition of either concentrated acid or water as is necessary.
  2. 2. A lead acid battery electrolyte management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein an acid and water reforming system is provided to minimise the quantity of electrolyte needed to permit full battery discharge and recharge.
  3. 3. A lead acid battery electrolyte management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the circulation of the electrolyte through the cell ensures adequate mixing and the avoidance of stratification.
  4. 4. A lead acid battery electrolyte management system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures 1 & 2.
    4. A lead acid battery electrolyte management system as claimed in claims 1 & 2 wherein the acid and water storage containers and control equipment are shared by all of the battery cells.
    5. A lead-acid battery electrolyte management system as claimed in claims 1 & 2 wherein an electrolyte temperature control system is provided to ensure the battery cell operates at its optimum temperature.
    6. A lead acid battery electrolyte management system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures 1 & 2.
    Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A lead-acid battery electrolyte management system where the strength of the electrolyte, circulated individually and in a controlled sequence through each seperate battery cell by means of a pump, is maintained within a pre-determined limit by the addition of concentrated acid.
    2. A lead acid battery electrolyte management system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a reforming system is provided to convert the excess electrolyte at the completion of battery recharge into concentrated acid and water.
    3. A lead acid battery electrolyte management system as claimed in claims 1 & 2 wherein the acid container and control equipment are shared by all of the battery cells.
GB9801487A 1998-01-26 1998-01-26 Electrolyte mangement system for a lead-acid battery Expired - Fee Related GB2333888B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9801487A GB2333888B (en) 1998-01-26 1998-01-26 Electrolyte mangement system for a lead-acid battery

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9801487A GB2333888B (en) 1998-01-26 1998-01-26 Electrolyte mangement system for a lead-acid battery

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9801487D0 GB9801487D0 (en) 1998-03-18
GB2333888A true GB2333888A (en) 1999-08-04
GB2333888B GB2333888B (en) 2000-02-09

Family

ID=10825796

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9801487A Expired - Fee Related GB2333888B (en) 1998-01-26 1998-01-26 Electrolyte mangement system for a lead-acid battery

Country Status (1)

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GB (1) GB2333888B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004038821A2 (en) * 2002-10-25 2004-05-06 Jones William E M Electric battery having autonomous watering and acid mixing systems
WO2008141865A1 (en) * 2007-05-23 2008-11-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electrochemical energy accumulator and method for the operation thereof
KR20180133663A (en) * 2017-06-07 2018-12-17 주식회사 엘지화학 Electrolyte re-injection system of battery cell, battery pack, battery pack which can re-inject electrolyte and re-injection method of electrolyte of electric car battery pack
WO2018233852A1 (en) * 2017-06-23 2018-12-27 Westfälische Hochschule Soluble lead flow battery and conditioning method

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3529726A1 (en) * 1985-08-20 1987-03-05 Varta Batterie Method and appliance for operating a lead-acid battery having electrodes with electrolyte flowing through them
WO1992015120A1 (en) * 1991-02-14 1992-09-03 Jones William E M Apparatus for recirculation of battery electrolyte and method of using same
WO1992015586A1 (en) * 1991-03-07 1992-09-17 Glaxo S.P.A. Antibacterial condensed carbapenemes
EP0746046A1 (en) * 1995-06-02 1996-12-04 Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute The optimum electrolyte level sensing method and the automatic topping up apparatus for storage wet cell

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3529726A1 (en) * 1985-08-20 1987-03-05 Varta Batterie Method and appliance for operating a lead-acid battery having electrodes with electrolyte flowing through them
WO1992015120A1 (en) * 1991-02-14 1992-09-03 Jones William E M Apparatus for recirculation of battery electrolyte and method of using same
WO1992015586A1 (en) * 1991-03-07 1992-09-17 Glaxo S.P.A. Antibacterial condensed carbapenemes
EP0746046A1 (en) * 1995-06-02 1996-12-04 Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute The optimum electrolyte level sensing method and the automatic topping up apparatus for storage wet cell

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004038821A2 (en) * 2002-10-25 2004-05-06 Jones William E M Electric battery having autonomous watering and acid mixing systems
WO2004038821A3 (en) * 2002-10-25 2004-11-04 William E M Jones Electric battery having autonomous watering and acid mixing systems
WO2008141865A1 (en) * 2007-05-23 2008-11-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electrochemical energy accumulator and method for the operation thereof
KR20180133663A (en) * 2017-06-07 2018-12-17 주식회사 엘지화학 Electrolyte re-injection system of battery cell, battery pack, battery pack which can re-inject electrolyte and re-injection method of electrolyte of electric car battery pack
EP3442052A4 (en) * 2017-06-07 2019-05-08 LG Chem, Ltd. Electrolyte reinjectable battery cell, battery pack, electrolyte reinjection system for battery pack, and electrolyte reinjection method for battery pack
CN109997249A (en) * 2017-06-07 2019-07-09 株式会社Lg化学 The battery unit of electrolyte, battery pack can be reinjected, reinject system and electrolyte for battery pack reinjects method for the electrolyte of battery pack
KR102135267B1 (en) * 2017-06-07 2020-07-17 주식회사 엘지화학 Electrolyte re-injection system of battery cell, battery pack, battery pack which can re-inject electrolyte and re-injection method of electrolyte of electric car battery pack
US11081765B2 (en) 2017-06-07 2021-08-03 Lg Chem, Ltd. Battery cell refillable with electrolyte, battery pack, electrolyte refilling system for battery pack, and electrolyte refilling method for battery pack
CN109997249B (en) * 2017-06-07 2022-03-04 株式会社Lg化学 Electrolyte re-injection system for battery pack and method thereof
WO2018233852A1 (en) * 2017-06-23 2018-12-27 Westfälische Hochschule Soluble lead flow battery and conditioning method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9801487D0 (en) 1998-03-18
GB2333888B (en) 2000-02-09

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Date Code Title Description
746 Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977)

Effective date: 20011010

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20080126