Lead-acid batteries have been the mainstay of the energy storage industry for over a century now. The primary reason has always been their simplicity, reliability, and cost, although they are also more environmentally-responsible than their lithium-ion cousins. We unpack the inner workings of lead-acid batteries in this post, and explain how their electrolyte simply cannot catch fire.
Inner Components of Working Lead-Acid Batteries
We supply our gel lead-acid batteries in stout cases, so they can resist the bumps and knocks during transport, and when in regular use. If we were to open one of them up for you, then you should see these inner workings of lead-acid technology clearly:
- Sets of positive and negative battery plates comprising lead-dioxide, and spongy lead respectively.
- Separators between these plates, to prevent them touching each other and short-circuiting.
- A dilute water and sulfuric acid electrolyte This may be a gel, a liquid, or in a fiberglass mesh.
How Lead-Acid Batteries Work Together to Produce Energy
THE CHARGING CYCLE
The positive lead-dioxide battery plate accepts electrons from the external circuit. Meanwhile, the negative spongy lead battery plate simultaneously releases electrons to the external circuit to keep the system in balance. Chemically speaking, both plates convert to lead sulfate during the process.
THE DISCHARGING CYCLE
The positive lead-dioxide battery plate releases electrons to the external circuit. Meanwhile, the negative spongy lead battery plate simultaneously accepts electrons from the external circuit to keep the system in balance. Chemically speaking, both plates convert back to their original form during the process.
This is not say that the above arrangement is the end of the road. Lead-acid battery capacity lags behind lithium-ion, although the lower price compensates for this. Researchers around the world are laboring to improve the chemicals behind the basic design. This will ensure that lead acid batteries continue to be a household name.
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