IMPROVED CATALYST DESIGN FOR VRLA BATTERIES

摘要

A catalyst device (10) for use with battery cells to recombine oxygen and hydrogen gas and thereby improve the performance and life of such cells. The catalyst device (10) can filter out catalyst poisons and control the temperature of the recombination reactions. A container (14) houses the catalyst (26) within a chamber (22). A catalyst poison filter (28) is provided in the chamber (22) with the catalyst (26). The movement of gas and vapour to and from the chamber (22) is controlled by a microporous section (30). The pore size is chosen to allow gas and vapor to pass, but not liquids, and to also prevent a flame from passing through. Preferably, the microporous section (30) is formed as a disc that seals an opening (20) in the chamber (22). The filter material (28) is then placed as a layer between the catalyst (26) and the opening (20) such that the poison in the gas must pass through the filter material (28) before reaching the catalyst (26).