Strategies for enhancing lead-acid battery production and performance

This paper is a record of the replies given by an expert panel to questions asked by delegates to the Eighth Asian Battery Conference. The subjects ar e as follows. Analysis of lead and lead compounds: accuracy; critical aspec ts of sampling. Grid alloys: influence of tin on microstructure and grain s ize; optimum combination of grid-alloy technologies for automotive batterie s. Battery manufacture and design: quality-assurance monitoring; acid-spray treatment of plates; efficiency of tank formation; control of alpha-PbO2/b eta-PbO2 ratio; PbO2 conversion level; positive/negative plate ratio; amoun t and type of separator for valve-regulated technology. Battery performance : use of cadmium reference electrode; influence of positive/negative plate ratio; local action; negative-plate expanders; gas-recombination catalysts; selective discharge of negative and positive plates. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence S.A. All rights reserved.