Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries

For many decades, the lead-acid battery has been the most widely used energy-storage device for medium- and large-scale applications (approximately 100Wh and above). In recent years, the traditional, flooded design of the battery has begun to be replaced by an alternative design. This version - the valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery - requires no replenishment of the water content of the electrolyte solution, does not spill liquids, and can be used in any desired orientation. Since the VRLA battery operates in a somewhat different manner from its flooded counterpart, considerable technological development has been necessary to meet the exacting performance requirements of the full range of applications in which rechargeable batteries are used.

The valve-regulated design is now well established in the industrial battery sector, and also appears set to be adopted widely for automotive duty.

This book provides a comprehensive account of VRLA technology and its uses. In the future, all industrial processes - including the manufacture of batteries - will be required to conform to the conventions of sustainability. Accordingly, the crucial areas of the environmental impact associated with the production and use of VRLA batteries and the recycling of spent units are also treated thoroughly.

Valve-Regulated Lead-Acid Batteries gives an essential insight into the science that underlies the development and operation of VRLA batteries and is a comprehensive reference source for those involved in the practical use of the technology in key energy-storage applications.

• Covers all major advances in the field
• Provides a comprehensive account of VRLA technology and its uses
• First book dedicated to this technology

Battery companies, lead-acid battery users in industry (incl. automotive sector), designers and operators of remote-area power supply systems. University libraries. Researchers based in the following departments: Chemistry, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering

1. The Valve-regulated Battery ¾ A Paradigm Shift in Lead-acid Technology
   2. Lead Alloys for Valve-regulated Lead-acid Batteries
   3. Formation of Lead-acid Batteries and Structure of Positive and Negative Active Masses
   4. Positive-plate Additives to Enhance Formation and Battery Performance
   5. Negative Plates in Valve-regulated Lead-acid Batteries
   6. The Function of the Separator in the Valve-regulated Lead-acid Battery
   7. Separator Materials for Valve-regulated Lead-acid Batteries
   8. Battery Management
   9. Charging Techniques for VRLA Batteries
   10. Battery Energy-storage Systems for Power-Supply Networks
   11. Valve-regulated Lead-acid Batteries in Automotive Applications ¾ A Vehicle Manufacturer's Perspective
   12. Valve-regulated Lead-acid Batteries in Automotive Applications ¾ A Battery Manufacturer's Perspective
   13. Valve-regulated Lead-acid Batteries for Telecommunications and UPS Applications
   14. Remote-area Power-supply (RAPS) Systems and the Valve-regulated Lead-acid Battery
   15. Recovery and Recycling of Lead-acid Batteries
   16. Environmental Aspects of Recycling Valve-regulated Lead-acid Batteries
   17. The Next Great Challenge for Valve-regulated lead-acid Batteries: High-rate Partial-state-of-charge Operation in New-generation Road Vehicles