PERFORMANCE OF LEAD-ACID-BATTERIES IN REMOTE-AREA POWER-SUPPLY APPLICATIONS

A detailed evaluation is made of the performance of a wide range of lead/acid battery technologies operating under both simulated and field conditions encountered in remote-area power-supply (RAPS) duty. Laboratory studies indicate that the most promising designs of battery are: (i) flat-plate, flooded-electrolyte, with thick plates and low-antimony positive grids; (ii) tubular-plate, flooded-electrolyte, with granular oxide: (iii) flat-/tubular-plate, gelled-electrolyte. For the first two technologies, this prediction has been realized by the placement and successful operation of batteries in RAPS field sites. Battery failure is associated mainly with degradation of the positive plate, namely, breakdown/shedding of active material, together with the development of inter-plate short circuit; corrosion/growth of grids; irreversible sulphation (including penetration of separators). Information acquired from the research programme is being used to design advanced RAPS batteries. The latter are currently under assessment, both in the laboratory and in RAPS installations.