Thermal management of value regulated lead-acid batteries-a comparison of gelled vs. absorbed electrolyte technologies

摘要

Valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries used in the telecommunication and UPS (uninterruptible power supply) industries are considered. Due to these batteries' compact designs, recombinant features and usage in enclosed environments, thermal management of the battery system must be taken into consideration for optimal life and performance. In this study the factors that affect the thermal performance of both gelled and AGM-type VRLA batteries in the 31 to 200 amp-hour range are explored and compared and application guidelines to minimize the potentially harmful effects of temperature are recommended. A method is proposed for evaluating the thermal stability of battery strings. The method takes into account the battery design, string layout, and charging.