PREDICTING LEAD-ACID-BATTERY ELECTRODE PERFORMANCE USING FINITE-DIFFERENCE EQUATIONS

This paper presents a computer model that includes the effects of past e conductivity and electrolyte diffusion on the capacity of lead acid batteries. The model simulates the discharge of a complete cell by usi ng finite difference equations to represent electrolyte diffusion in t he positive and negative plates as well as in the space between them. The critical volume fraction relates the maximum amount of active mate rial that can be reacted before the paste conductivity limits the reac tion. The model uses this and other physical parameters to predict cel l capacity. These predictions are then compared with experimental resu lts. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.