Battery performance types

The seven papers in Chapter 6 are focused on cathode materials for lithium and lithium-ion batteries. Carbon is used as a conductive additive in composite electrodes for batteries. The type of carbon and the amount can have a large effect on the electrochemical performance of the electrode. 

Each of the above parameters exerts an influence on the formation of the structure of the active masses and on the nature of their interfaces with the grids. Thus, the parameters affect the performance of the battery. The algorithm of the formation should take into account the zonal processes that occur on both types of plate so as to ensure the formation of appropriate active-mass structures, which would guarantee high battery performance characteristics. 

With these two models a battery can be designed, modelled, and optimized for the use of inert additives. Since each type of additive has different effects on battery performance, it is necessary to design the battery to utilize the selected additive to its fullest. The models are also very useful in designing experiments to test the effects that the additives will have on battery performance. 

It is interesting to note that even in a country without tradition for the collection of spent batteries (all types) and of waste electrical and electronic equipment, the collection mode represents one of the three major ways for discarding used equipment. (N.B. In France the official SCRELEC campaign did only start one year before the hoarding study was performed). When this survey was performed, the existence of this national collection program had not yet reached a high level of knowledge by the consumer. 

Table 4.2 presents a summary of the lead alloys most widely used for the production of various types of lead—acid batteries [5]. Lead—antimony and lead—calcium grid alloys have dominating positions in the battery industry. The basic characteristics of these two types of alloys and their effects on battery performance will be discussed further in this chapter. 

The rates of the electrochemical reactions that proceed at the two types of plates depend on current density. Increase of formation current is associated with increase of the heat effects of the reactions and of the Joule heat released. This causes the temperature in the battery to rise. And battery temperature is one of the technological parameters that should be kept within definite limits to ensure high battery performance characteristics. So the basic dependencies that have to be monitored and controlled during the formation process are current, battery voltage and temperamre as a function of formation time. 

ABSL has had great success proving its small-cell approach with universal adoption across the industry and across all mission types. ABSL continue to evaluate, test and qualify the next generation of cells improving on the overall battery performance as they work to serve the industry demand for larger and higher voltage batteries. 

Nickel hydroxide active material is provided by reacting nickel sulfate solution and an alkaline solution. A part of nickel of nickel hydroxide is substituted for Zn and Co for the improvement of the battery performance. The theory capacity of nickel hydroxide is 289 mAh/g by supposing one electron reaction. The utilization of nickel hydroxide of a sintered-type electrode is approximately 100 %, but that of a pasted-type electrode without a conductive additive is around 65 %. The improvement of the utilization is enabled by forming CoOOH conductive networks between nickel hydroxide particles. The cobalt compound (Co, CoO, Co(OH>2) is filled into the formed nickel substrate with nickel hydroxide as an additive. The Co compounds form a conductive network as CoOOH by charging. To improve the conductivity of the cobalt conductive layer, Co(OH)2 layer coating to the surface of nickel hydroxide particles and the oxidation treatment in an alkaline solution of this coated powder are suggested. 

Figure 18.2 Typical regions of performance of lithium primary batteries by type of electrolyte and cathode (the upper right region has to be broadened up to 10,000,000 mAh at 10,000 A.) (From Ref. 3.)... 

Most types of lead-acid batteries are not suitable for fast charging. Normally, a full charge takes 14 to 16 hours, and lead-acid batteries must always be stored at a full state of charge. A low charge causes sulfation, which contributes to the degradation of battery performance. Lead-acid batteries work well at cold temperatures and are superior to lithium-ion ones when operating in subzero conditions. Table 1.17 lists the advantages and limitations of common lead-acid batteries in use today. 

As illustrated in Table 35.12 and Table 35.13, Li-ion batteries are available in a wide range of sizes from 0.6 to 160 Ah in both cylindrical and prismatic designs with a range of aspect ratios. Li-ion battery performance has steadily improved, in the period 1996 to 1999, the specific energy of 18650-type cells increased 8% per year while energy density increased 14% per year, on average. 

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