IMPROVING ACTIVE-MATERIAL UTILIZATION

A major factor controlling the specific energy of a lead/acid battery is the utilization of active material. If this could be increased, the specific energy would be increased, with a corresponding increase in range of electric vehicles using the lead/acid battery. The main param eters that affect active-material utilization are examined, namely, cu rrent density, plate thickness, active-material structure, conductivit y of active material and grid, and electrolyte volume and density. Inc reases in utilization can be achieved by changing all these parameters and examples are given. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science S.A.