Lead Storage Battery Electrolyte Ion Additives for PSOC Sulfation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lead storage batteries for automobiles face inefficiencies in charging and discharging cycles under partial state of charge (PSOC) conditions, leading to chronic insufficient-charging, sulfation, and shortened battery life, particularly during charge-control and idling-stop operations, which negatively impact fuel consumption and start-up performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating aluminum ions, selenium ions, or titanium ions into the electrolyte, with controlled concentrations, and optimizing the composition of the positive active material with elements like bismuth, antimony, calcium, and arsenic to enhance charging efficiency, adhesion, and reversibility of lead sulfate, while limiting sodium ion content to prevent adverse effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the lead storage battery is used in partial state of charge (PSOC) to improve fuel consumption, then fuel efficiency is improved, but charging efficiency deteriorates and chronic insufficient-charging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel consumptionVSAvoidcharging efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the electrolyte by adding specific ions (aluminum ions at 0.01-0.3 mol/L, selenium ions at 0.0002-0.0012 mol/L, or titanium ions at 0.001-0.1 mol/L) to improve charging efficiency while maintaining PSOC operation. This parameter modification enables the battery to accept charges more effectively even when operated in partial state of charge, resolving the contradiction between fuel efficiency and charging efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the lead storage battery is frequently charged to 100% to overcome chronic insufficient-charging, then charging completeness is improved, but fuel consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate of charge completenessVSAvoidfuel consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrolyte composition by incorporating specific ions that enhance charging efficiency, allowing the battery to maintain adequate charge levels without requiring frequent full charges. This enables the battery to operate effectively in PSOC conditions without suffering from chronic insufficient-charging, thus avoiding the need for frequent refresh charges that would increase fuel consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the lead storage battery operates in PSOC for extended periods, then fuel efficiency is improved, but sulfation occurs and battery life shortens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel efficiencyVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrolyte composition by incorporating aluminum ions, selenium ions, or titanium ions that prevent sulfation during PSOC operation. These ionic additives modify the electrochemical environment to inhibit lead sulfate crystal formation and growth, allowing the battery to operate in PSOC conditions for extended periods without suffering from sulfation-related degradation, thus preserving battery life while maintaining fuel efficiency benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Significantly improves charging efficiency and extends the life of lead storage batteries by maintaining a high state of charge within 70-100% range, reducing sulfation, and enhancing mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, thus contributing to better fuel efficiency and reduced exhaust emissions.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating aluminum ions, selenium ions, or titanium ions into the electrolyte, with controlled concentrations, and optimizing the composition of the positive active material with elements like bismuth, antimony, calcium, and arsenic to enhance charging efficiency, adhesion, and reversibility of lead sulfate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

an electrolyte injected to impregnate the group of plates with the electrolyte, thus performing formation treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon transport: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 3

optimizing the composition of the positive active material with elements like bismuth, antimony, calcium, and arsenic to enhance charging efficiency, adhesion, and reversibility of lead sulfate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS8771871B2Lead storage battery and manufacturing method of the same
Publication Date: 2014.07.08 THE FURUKAWA BATTERY CO LTD

AI summary

There is disclosed a lead storage battery comprising a group of plates housed in a battery jar, and an electrolyte injected therein to impregnate the group of plates with the electrolyte, thus performing formation treatment, the lead storage battery being adapted to be used in a partial state of charge where the state of charge is confined within the range of more than 70% to less than 100%, wherein the group of plates are formed of a stack constituted by a large number of negative substrates comprising grid substrates filled with a negative active material, by a large number of positive substrates comprising grid substrates filled with a positive active material, and by a porous separator interposed between the negative electrodes and positive electrodes, and the electrolyte contains at least one kind of ion selected from the group consisting of aluminum ions, selenium ions and titanium ions.