CATALYSTS ON VRLA BATTERIES SAVE AIR FORCE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS

摘要

THE U.S. AIR FORCE is extending the life of its telecommunications backup power batteries - and saving millions of dollars in the process - by employing a new, proven, inexpensive technology. The improvements come as the result of the addition of a small catalyst device to each valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery cell. This device is housed in a cell replacement vent cap. Personnel snap out the old cap and snap in the new. The original lead-acid batteries, called wet cells or flooded cells, contain plates of a wet cell that sit in a "jar" of electrolyte (dilute sulfuric acid). Wet cells, in essence, are open to the atmosphere and vent both hydrogen and oxygen, making it necessary to periodically add water. This venting of hydrogen and oxygen makes it important that battery rooms be well ventilated. These wet cells actually last about 20 years without losing significant capacity, but the batteries have three major drawbacks: · Maintenance costs can be high because water must be added periodically. · Wet cell batteries contain large amounts of sulfuric acid solution and the venting of hydrogen and oxygen can create a dangerous, potentially explosive environment. · Wet cells take up a lot of room relative to th e amount of energy that they store.