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An advanced prediction mechanism to analyse pore geometry shapes and identification of blocking effect in VRLA battery system

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Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to define a model of an alternating current impedance response that can identify the state of health of a porous electrode due to the blocked diffusion effect. To identify and simulate different pore geometries, an analytical differential equations system was studied. Standard and low performance battery products were simulated by the model and validated with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experimental data. The correlation between pore structure geometries and the related battery efficiency is also addressed. This investigation may clarify the possible reasons for low performance batteries. Identifying the benchmark pore geometry, parameters may be useful for the battery producers to improve the efficiency of their products. Various recovery methods are also included in this investigation to disperse the build-up of lead sulphate crystal that limits the electrolysis process in the low performance batteries.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would also like to thank the staff of the Centre for Automotive and Power Systems Engineering (CAPSE) for their assistance. The first author would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships (KESS), Yuasa Battery Ltd and the University of South Wales (USW) during this research project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, UK

    Alessandro Mariani, Kary Thanapalan & Jonathan Williams

  2. Yuasa Battery (UK) Ltd, Rassau Industrial Estate, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5SD, UK

    Peter Stevenson

Authors
  1. Alessandro Mariani
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  2. Kary Thanapalan
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  3. Peter Stevenson
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  4. Jonathan Williams
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alessandro Mariani.

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Recommended by Guest Editor Dongbing Gu

Alessandro Mariani received the B. Eng. degree from University of Glamorgan, UK in 2010. He is currently a Ph.D. degree candidate at University of South Wales, UK. He collaborated with Yuasa Ltd from 2011 to 2016 as researcher in optimization, simulation and fault analysis of electrochemical device design, including research, development and manufacture process alternative to optimize the storage device efficiency. He is a member of IET.

His research interests include lead acid battery technology and electrochemical performance analysis.

ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5810-2681

Kary Thanapalan received the B.Eng. degree in control engineering from City University London, UK. Later he received the Ph.D. degree in aerospace control systems from the University of Liverpool, UK, and then conducted his research and development activities in various capacities. He is currently working as a senior researcher in the faculty of computing, engineering and sciences, University of South Wales, UK, and a leading researcher in the fields of energy and renewable energy and control and automation engineering with a strong focus on mathematical modelling and control of energy storage systems. He has published over 50 research papers in peer reviewed international journals and refereed international conferences. He is a chartered engineer and a member of IET (CEng, MIET).

His research interests include control system design, renewable energy and optimization analysis.

ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6398-4340

Peter Stevenson received the M. Sc. degree in chemistry from the University of Cambridge, UK in 1979. He has worked on various research projects during his time at Yuasa Battery (Europe) Ltd as well as academia, he has broad experience in electrochemical device design, energy storage management lean manufacturing process development and standardisation. He has managed complete project from product concept design and development to production and resolving issues at each stage. He is currently working as senior technical co-ordinator at the Yuasa Battery (Europe) Ltd.

His research interests include lead acid and lithium battery technology.

ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3894-2207

Jonathan Williams received the M. Eng. degree in mechatronic engineering and has since worked with numerous industrial companies and specialist materials companies at the University of South Wales, UK, resulting in the development of new products, process and the investment of over 6.2 million pounds in associated research programme and facilities. He is currently working as a CAPSE director at the University of South Wales, UK, and a leading researcher in the development of new innovative energy storage system and solutions.

His research interests include power system engineering and lithium based energy storage.

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Mariani, A., Thanapalan, K., Stevenson, P. et al. An advanced prediction mechanism to analyse pore geometry shapes and identification of blocking effect in VRLA battery system. Int. J. Autom. Comput. 14, 21–32 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11633-016-1040-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11633-016-1040-0

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