Comparison of methods for reactivating deteriorated lead acid batteries

摘要

Since 1995, the ITE Battery Group in Japan has been developing several new additives and charger techniques for activation of deteriorated lead acid batteries. In this paper, the additives and activation methods are compared and a working hypothesis is developed for their effect in reactivating the lead acid battery. Three models of lead acid battery deterioration are considered: 1. Sulfation (accumulation of crystalline PbSO{sub}4 in the negative electrode) 2. Surface area reduction of the lead in the negative electrode 3. Poor charge acceptance due to impurities such as antimony (Sb), iron (Fe) and arsenic (As), which reduce the hydrogen overvoltage on the negative electrode. These additives, and/or pulse charging regimes, reactivate the deteriorated batteries by removing sulfation. A mechanism is proposed to explain the various observations. Sulfation accounted for about 95% of the battery deterioration. The deterioration is likely the result of incomplete charging related to a low float voltage setting of the charger. Modes of failure associated with positive electrodes are not discussed in this paper.