Peristaltic Pump Electrolyte Circulation for Lead-Acid Battery Desulfation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lead-acid batteries face performance deterioration due to lead sulfate precipitation and crystallization, which increases internal resistance and can cause plate cracking, and existing desulfation methods are either time-consuming or exacerbate corrosion and gassing effects.
Innovation Solution
A circulating system is introduced to agitate the electrolyte in lead-acid batteries, using peristaltic pumps and polytetrafluoroethylene tubes to maintain homogeneous solubility of lead sulfates by circulating the electrolyte and preventing settling, with a control module managing the circulation cycles and periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long duration and pseudorandom pulse charging methods are used for desulfation, then desulfation effectiveness is improved, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed current charging with specific on/off cycles (e.g., charging for 1-5 seconds followed by rest periods) rather than continuous charging. This periodic stimulation promotes sulfate dissolution and prevents re-precipitation, achieving effective desulfation while significantly reducing total treatment time compared to traditional long-duration methods
2Reliability
If applied voltages and frequencies are increased for desulfation, then desulfation effectiveness is improved, but corrosion and gassing effects are exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling and optimizing the charging voltage and frequency parameters within specific ranges that are effective for desulfation but below thresholds that cause excessive corrosion and gassing. The system dynamically adjusts these parameters based on battery state, maintaining desulfation effectiveness while minimizing harmful side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring battery parameters (voltage, current, temperature) during charging and automatically adjusting the charging profile. This feedback mechanism ensures that voltage and frequency remain within optimal desulfation ranges without exceeding levels that would cause excessive corrosion and gassing, thereby resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and harmful effects
3Reliability
If lead sulfate crystallizes on plate surfaces, then battery internal resistance increases, but plate cracking is also caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing desulfation treatment before lead sulfate crystallization can cause severe damage and plate cracking. The pulsed charging method continuously dissolves forming sulfate deposits, preventing them from growing into large crystals that would mechanically stress and crack the plates, thus preserving plate integrity while maintaining low internal resistance
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
The solution effectively inhibits sulfation and electrolyte stratification, improving battery performance by maintaining solubility and reducing the risk of plate damage, while avoiding the drawbacks of traditional desulfation methods.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more circulating systems may include one or more peristaltic pumps. The one or more peristaltic pumps may include at least one moving member and at least one pump tube. Movement of the at least one moving member may press the at least one pump tube so as to carry the electrolyte from the inlet tube to the outlet tube.
Implementation Method 2
such movement may alter the concentration of ionic species in the electrically-conductive solution in proximity to a surface of the electroactive structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure pertains to motion-generating pumps, energy storage devices including such motion-generating pumps, and methods of making and using the same for the desulfation of lead-acid batteries. The energy storage device includes a battery casing defining a plurality of chambers, each of the plurality of chambers may include one or more electroactive plates disposed therein and an electrolyte disposed so as to surround the one or more electroactive plates. The energy storage device further includes one or more circulating systems configured to agitate the electrolyte in each of the plurality of chambers. A method for desulfation in a lead-acid battery may include using one or more circulating systems to circulate an electrolyte so as to prevent precipitation.