Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-06-26 Origin: Site
Battery vulcanization, also known as sulfation, is a common issue that affects lead-acid batteries, leading to reduced performance and a shortened lifespan. Understanding the causes and implementing preventive measures is crucial for maintaining the health and longevity of lead-acid batteries.
Lead-acid batteries have electrodes made primarily of lead and its oxides, and the electrolyte is a sulfuric acid solution. As a backup power source for data centers, utilities, telecommunications, transportation, oil and gas, and energy storage, lead-acid batteries undergo vulcanization when lead sulfate crystals form on the battery's plates, which prevents the chemical reactions needed to effectively store and release energy.
Charging and Discharging: If lead-acid batteries are frequently overdischarged or deeply discharged, the sulfuric acid in the batteries will decompose, producing substances such as PbSO4 and PbH2SO4, leading to a decrease in the concentration of sulfuric acid in the batteries, which is conducive to the occurrence of vulcanization. In the charging and discharging cycles, the mutual conversion of lead oxide and lead sponge triggers a chemical reaction to generate sulfide. The more the battery is cycled, the more pronounced the vulcanization may be.
Prolonged Storage Without Use: Lead-acid batteries left unused for extended periods are prone to vulcanization. When a battery remains idle, especially in a partially semi-discharged or discharged (such as leakage) state, lead sulfate crystals begin to form on the plates.
High Temperatures: Environmental factors such as high temperatures can exacerbate vulcanization in lead-acid batteries. Elevated temperatures increase the rate at which chemical reactions occur within the battery, promoting the faster formation of lead sulfate crystals.
Reduced Capacity: Vulcanization will lead to the conversion and solidification of active substances inside the lead-acid battery, thus reducing the effective capacity of the battery and affecting its performance.
Increase in Internal Resistance: Vulcanization will also slow down the chemical reaction rate inside the lead-acid battery and increase the internal resistance, thus affecting the discharge performance.
Shortened Life: long-term Vulcanization may lead to shorten the life of a lead-acid battery, reducing its cycle life and service life.
Regular Charging and Discharging Cycles
To prevent vulcanization, lead-acid batteries must be avoided for long periods of unused and be subjected to regular charging and discharging cycles. Ensure that the battery can be fully charged in time after discharge, especially after high current discharge. When discharging at low currents, it is necessary to control the depth of discharge as much as possible to avoid deep discharge.
Proper Environmental Conditions
Keep the battery in a dry, clean environment, avoid high temperatures, and try to maintain a suitable operating temperature range. All of these factors will accelerate lead-acid battery vulcanization.
Regular Maintenance
Regular balancing of lead-acid batteries can keep the voltage of each single cell of the battery consistent and reduce the occurrence of vulcanization. Online balancing is achieved through the use of the DFUN BMS (battery monitoring system), which also continuously monitors ambient temperature and humidity. By providing real-time data and alerts about potential problems such as charging and discharging cycles, the DFUN BMS can take proactive maintenance measures to safeguard battery health before problems arise.
In conclusion, understanding the causes, hazards, and prevention strategies for lead-acid battery vulcanization is vital for ensuring their optimal performance over time. Implementing proper maintenance and utilizing systems like DFUN BMS will help mitigate the risks associated with this common issue while extending the overall battery life expectancy effectively.
