Submarine batteries

Special applications are often governed by different priorities as already discussed in relation to golf carts, the low water loss and the delay in antimony poisoning in heavy-duty service of a forklift are of eminent importance, with the result that rubber separators remain the preferred product there. Submarine batteries offer a different... 

Europe Evonik (Germany), OMT (Germany), Saft (France, USA), Sunlight Systems S.A (military and submarine batteries, Greece), etc. 

Low antimony alloys constitute a possibility to diminish the disadvantages of antimony by a reduction of its content in the positive grid below 2%. Such reduction became possible only when grain refining additives were developed. Copper and sulfur are such additives. The most effective additive is selenium. It was introduced for submarine batteries in 1949 (35) and its widespread use for stationary and car... 

The purposes of the grid are to hold the active material mechanically and conduct electricity between the active material and the ceU terminals. The mechanical support can be provided by nonmetallic materials (polymer, ceramic, rabber, etc.) inside the plate, but these are not electrically conductive. Additional mechanical support is sometimes gained by the construction method or by various wrappings on the outside of the plate. Metals other than lead alloys have been investigated to provide electrieal conductivity, and some (copper, aluminum, silver) are more conductive than lead. These alternate conductors are not corrosion-resistant in the sulfuric acid electrolyte and are often more expensive than lead alloys. Titanium has been evaluated as a grid material it is not corroded after special surface treatments but is very expensive. Copper grids are used in the negatives of some submarine batteries. 

Special applications are often governed by different priorities as already discussed in relation to golf carts, the low water loss and the delay in antimony poisoning in heavy-duty service of a forklift are of eminent importance, with the result that rubber separators remain the preferred product there. Submarine batteries offer a different picture the number of cycles to be reached is far lower ( 500) and, due to the slow ( 100h) but very deep discharge, the acid availability becomes the decisive criterion, which favors, for example, the phenolic resin-resorcinol separator. Such requirements are already similar to the application in open stationary cells. 

The use of up to 35 phr sulfur with a butraldehyde-monobutylamine such as (Vanax 833) type accelerator may be used to produce a higher temperature resistant ebonite, primarily for submarine battery cases. This approach has virtually disappeared having been replaced with either plastics or nitrile with higher amounts of an acrylic monomer and a peroxide cure. 

Electric road vehicles have been reduced to insignificance, as mentioned already by, vehicles with combustion engines. Another electric vehicle — the electrically driven submarine — presented a continuous challenge to lead-acid battery separator development since the 1930s and 1940s. The wood veneers originally used in electric vehicles proved too difficult to handle, especially if tall cells had to be manufactured. Therefore much intense effort took place to develop the first plastic separators. In this respect the microporous hard rubber separator, still available today in a more advanced version, and a micro-porous PVC separator (Porvic I) merit special mention 28]. For the latter a molten blend of PVC, plasticizer and starch was rolled into a flat product. In a lengthy pro-... 

Promethium produces beta rays (high-energy electrons). These beta rays are used to produce nuclear-powered batteries to provide electricity for spacecraft, as well as long-term usage for up to five years in regions without electricity. It also could be used as a source of portable X-rays, as a gauge to measure the thickness of various materials, and to produce special lasers that can communicate with submarines. 

Vehicle traction batteries 20-630 kWh (3 MWh) Fork-lift trucks, milk floats, locomotives (submarines)... 

The manufacture of secondary batteries based on aqueous electrolytes forms a major part of the world electrochemical industry. Of this sector, the lead-acid system (and in particular SLI power sources), as described in the last chapter, is by far the most important component, but secondary alkaline cells form a significant and distinct commercial market. They are more expensive, but are particularly suited for consumer products which have relatively low capacity requirements. They are also used where good low temperature characteristics, robustness and low maintenance are important, such as in aircraft applications. Until recently the secondary alkaline industry has been dominated by the cadmium-nickel oxide ( nickel-cadmium ) cell, but two new systems are making major inroads, and may eventually displace the cadmium-nickel oxide cell - at least in the sealed cell market. These are the so-called nickel-metal hydride cell and the rechargeable zinc-manganese dioxide cell. There are also a group of important but more specialized alkaline cell systems which are in use or are under further development for traction, submarine and other applications. 

Another application for silver-cadmium batteries is propulsion power for submarine simulator-target drones,... 

Lithium-base greases, especially the stearate, are efficient over an extremely wide temperature range up to 160°C. Lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is a component of the electrolyte in alkaline storage batteries and is employed in the removal of carbon dioxide in submarines and space capsules. Lithium bromide (LiBr) brine is used for air conditioning and dehumidification. Lithium hypochlorite (LiOCl) is a dry bleach used in commercial and home laundries. Lithium chloride (LiCl) is in demand for low-temperature batteries and for aluminum brazing. Other uses of lithium compounds include catalysts, glass manufacture, and, of course, nuclear energy. 

For closed-cycle applications, such as for spacecraft, submarines, or transportation vehicles, the combinations of lightweight, reasonable power density, and compact size are favorable features in comparison with equivalent-capacity battery-based systems. In the International Space Station, for example, both electricity and water are provided by fuel cells. Fuel cells have not only been used in space exploration, but also in submarines (because they generate no noise or vibration). They have also been used to recover the energy from methane that is generated by wastewater, by garbage dumps, and more recently in automobiles as an alternative to the IC engine. 

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