comparison on different types of batteries

COMPARISON ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF BATTERIES

Sl. Basis of Comparison Lead Acid (Plante) Lead Acid (Tubular) in Hard Rubber / PP ContainerLead Acid (Tubular) in

Transparent SAN Container Lead Acid (VRLA) Ni-Cd Type

1 AnodePb02Self supporting thick plates made of 99.99% pure Lead.

Pb02Lead Antimony alloy support structure

Pb02Lead Antimony alloy support structure

Pb02Pb-Ca Alloy support structure NiOOH

2 CathodePbLeads to hydrogen gas evolution

PbLead Antimony: Leads to hydrogen gas evolution

PbLead Antimony: Leads to hydrogen gas evolution

PbLead Calcium Alloy: No hydrogen gas evoluation

Cd

3 Electrolyte

H2SO4Takes part in chemical reaction during charge/discharge process. Therefore, Electrolyte Specific Grabvity is a direct indicator of the state of charge.

H2SO4Takes part in chemical reaction during charge/discharge process. Therefore, Electrolyte Specific Gravity is a direct indicator of the state of charge.



KOHElectrolyte does not take part in chemical reaction during charge/discharge process and there is no easy method of ascertaining the state of charge of a Ni-Cd battery during use.

4 Cell Voltage 2 V 2 V 2 V 2 V 1.2 V5 End Cell Voltage 1.85 V at 10 Hr rate 1.85 V at 10 Hr rate 1.85 V at 10 Hr rate 1.80 V at 10 Hr rate 1 V at 5 Hr rate

6 Container Transparant SAN container enables visual monitoring.

Opaque HR/PP container, visual monitoring not possible.

Transparant SAN container enables visual monitoring.

Opaque PP/ABS container, visual monitoring not possible.

Opaque / translucent PP container, visual monitoring not possible.

7 Vent Plugs Microporous Vent Plugs Microporous Vent Plugs Microporous Vent Plugs Explosion proof safety valve type Conventional type vent plugs

8 Monitoring state of Charge - By measuring electrolyte specific gravity- visual monitoring through transparent containers

- By measuring electrolyte specific gravity

- By measuring electrolyte specific gravity- visual monitoring through transparent containers

No easy method to ascertain state of charge

No easy method is available to ascertain the state of charge.

9 Application

Stand-by float application in power plants, substations, UPS System and other critical applications. High discharge

Robust battery, suitable for both frequest charge / discharge cyclic duties as well as for stand by applications.

Robust battery, suitable for both frequest charge / discharge cyclic duties as well as for stand by applications.

Short time backup with low depth of discharge. Occational use in stand by float application.

Good for delivering high current for special starting duties and also for cycling duties.

10 Number of Cells Less Less Less Less High (60% more than Lead Acid)11 Cyclic Capability Limited Excellent Excellent Good Excellent12 Reliability Most reliable in float operations Quite reliable. Very reliable. Reliable, but prone to unexpected

malfunctioning Reliable but prone to memory effect.

13 Susceptibility to high temperatureSatisfactory operations upto 40/45 deg C electrolyte temperature

Satisfactory operations upto 40/45 deg C electrolyte temperature


Prolonged operation at high ambiant temp curtails battery life by 50% per 8 deg C above 25 deg C ( Ref IEEE Spec 1189-1996)


14 Air Conditioning required No No No YES No15 ventilation Special ventilation with exhaust fans

Special ventilation with exhaust fans

Special ventilation with exhaust fans Normal ventilation Special ventilation with exhaust fans

16 Corrosive fumes Very Low Low Low Nill Nil17 Acid / Alkali Proof Flooring Required Required Required Not required Required 18 Possibility of Spillage and Leaks Very Low Low Very Low Spill and leak proof Low19 Battery Room Requires separate Battery Room Requires separate Battery room Requires separate Battery room

Does not require separate Battery room

Requires separate Battery room

20 Retention of Charge (ROC) Very Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Poor21 Recovery from deep discharge Good Very good Very good Average Excellent22 High rate discharge characteristic Very Good Good Good Very Good Excellent23 Charge Acceptance Very good Good Good Good Good24 Energy Density Low (Big Cells) Good Good Very Good Excellent25 Topping up frequency Topping up with distilled/ DM

water once in 12 - 18 monthsTopping up with distilled/ DM water once in 6 months.

Topping up with distilled/ DM water once in 6 months. No topping up required

Topping up with DM water 2/3 times a year



Transparent SAN Container Lead Acid (VRLA) Ni-Cd Type

26 Cleaning requirementsBattery to be kept clean and dry and terminals & connections to be checked periodically

Battery to be kept clean and dry and terminals & connections to be checked periodically




27 Monitoring state of chargeState of charge/ cell condition should be regularly monitored by measuring electrolyte sp. Gravity and voltages

State of charge/ cell condition should be regularly monitored by measuring electrolyte sp. Gravity and voltages

State of charge/ cell condition should be regularly monitored by measuring electrolyte sp. Gravity and voltages

Voltage and physical condition of the battery to be monitored regularly

Voltage and physical condition of the battery to be monitored regularly

28 No. of Cells & Intercell ConnectorsNo of Cells & the intercell connectors to be checked are less

No of Cells & the intercell connectors to be checked are less



No of Cells & the intercell connectors to be checked are 60% more

29 Carbonation & requirement of change of electrolite

No possibility of carbonation leading to requirement of change of electrolite




Possibility of carbonation is high and it may call for replacement of electrolyte once in every 6/7 years.

30 Recharge

Capable of quick recharge by Boost charging upto 2.7 V/Cell and 0.25 C10 Amps recharge current. Normal float- cum- boost charger can be used

Capable of quick recharge by Boost charging upto 2.7 V/Cell. Normal float- cum- boost charger can be used

Capable of quick discharge by Boost charging upto 2.7 V/Cell. Normal float- cum- boost charger can be used

These batteries require special CCCV charging. Regular boost charging is not recommended. To be maintained only on float charge at 2.23 V/cell. Quick recharge limited to fast charging upto 2.3 V Cell and 0.15 C10 Amps limit current

Requires frequent equalising charge to maintain full capacity in float condition since charge retention of the system is poor

31 Ageing Plante Capacity does not drop rather increases in service life.

Degrades continuously during service life and falls to about 80% of the initial rated capacity in 8-10 years. 25% compensation to added while sizing

Degrades continuously during service life and falls to about 80% of the initial rated capacity in 8-10 years. 25% compensation to added while sizing

Degrades gradually during service life and falls to about 80% of the initial rated capacity in 8-10 years. 25% compensation to added while sizing

Degrades gradually during service life and therefore 25% compensation to added while sizing depending on application

32 Life expectancy in Stand-by float application 15 - 20 years 10-12 years 14-15 years 8-10 years 15 - 20 years

33 Internal resistance Low High High Very low Very low34 Sensitivity to over charge and under

charge Moderately sensitive Mildly sensitive Mildly sensitive Extremely sensitive Moderately sensitive

35 Space requirement High Moderate (40% more space than VRLA)Moderate (40% more space than VRLA) Lowest (Compact - Less Foot Print) Low (40% more space than VRLA)

36 Stacking Need to be stacked vertically only Need to be stacked vertically only Need to be stacked vertically only can be stacked in any direction Need to be stacked vertically only

37 Thermal Runaway Not susceptible Not susceptible Not susceptible Highly susceptible Not susceptible38 Dry Out Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Very Susceptible Not Applicable39 Memory effect Not Present Not Present Not Present Not Present Susceptible and hence prone to

sudden failure during emergency40 Cost of Electricity consumption during float charge Minimum Moderate Moderate Good

High (as recharge factor high 1.4 or 1.5)

41 Effect of prolonged float operation

Retains full charge at recommended float charge even after prolonged float operation and hence, no float charge correction factor is required during sizing




Ni -Cd batteries experience a "Float effect" - a lowering of the average discharge voltage during long- term operation

42 Ah and Wh efficiency Minimum 90% to 75% resp. Minimum 90% to 75% resp. Minimum 90% to 75% resp. Minimum 90% to 75% resp. Very low. Around 50/ 60% only.



Transparent SAN Container Lead Acid (VRLA) Ni-Cd Type43 Scrap value Very high (High lead content) High (Moderate lead content) High (Moderate lead content) Low (Low lead content) Nil.

44 RecyclibilityWell established processes and many approved / recognised agencies

Well established processes and many approved / recognised agencies

Well established processes and many approved / recognised agencies

Well established processes and many approved / recognised agencies Difficult

45 Price of a Battery Bank (ref. VRLA price as 'X') 3X to 4X 1.4X to 1.5X 1.6X to 2.0X X 3.5X to 4.5X

comparison on different types of batteries

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