554
T. W. Ellis et al.
be designed to fit specific applications, allowing the manufactures and Pb suppliers,
like RSRNA, to modify the components to provide the best performance for a given
application. Due to these new requirements, the smelting and refining processes with
RSRNA’s facilities are being pushed to produce higher quality pure Pb and Pb alloys
with more stringent requirements on product specifications. Understanding the effect
of each element within the Pb, whether at impurity or alloying concentration levels, is
critical to the overall performance of the Pb battery. Improved analytical capabilities
within the smelters and in the research and development laboratories of RSRNA have
allowed for more accurate analysis and control of trace impurities known to cause
gassing issues within lead batteries. Highly refined secondary Pb has shown similar
performance to primary Pb for battery applications, providing a recycled product that
meets the requirements for applications traditionally requiring the use of a mined
source of material.
Utilizing improved smelting and refining processes and combining those with the
use of core quality tools, advanced analytical techniques and collaboration projects
with Argonne National Laboratory, RSRNA have developed several new alloys to
improve battery performance in the areas of increased cycle life and high-temperature
performance. SUPERSOFT-HYCYCLE
® was developed as a micro-alloyed active
material Pb containing antimony and arsenic at controlled levels designed to improve
capacity and cycle life of the battery. Understanding the roles of micro-alloyed elements on the crystal growth and dissolution of PbO 2 and PbSO 4 was a key in the
development of this alloy. Battery testing at the 2 V test cell and on 12 V batteries
demonstrates the cycle life improvement from SUPERSOFT-HYCYCLE
® compared
to normal leady oxide active material [2]. 009-PERFORMANCE GRID™ alloy has
shown enhanced mechanical testing properties and improved corrosion resistance
over traditional PbSnCa grid alloys, especially at elevated temperatures. This alloy
has increased levels of Ag and the addition of Ba which has shown to inhibit grid pit
corrosion and increase cycle life at 60 °C [2].
Conclusions
Ensuring the safe and responsible recycling of Pb batteries is RSRNA’s priority. Challenges will continue to rise from regulatory bodies and from other battery chemistries
in the market. Continuous improvement in handling Pb emissions and reducing workforce exposure are key priorities to the long-term company strategy. Developing and
producing quality Pb and Pb alloys that improve battery performance will help to
ensure the lead battery stays the dominant technology in the energy storage market.
T. W. Ellis et al.
be designed to fit specific applications, allowing the manufactures and Pb suppliers,
like RSRNA, to modify the components to provide the best performance for a given
application. Due to these new requirements, the smelting and refining processes with
RSRNA’s facilities are being pushed to produce higher quality pure Pb and Pb alloys
with more stringent requirements on product specifications. Understanding the effect
of each element within the Pb, whether at impurity or alloying concentration levels, is
critical to the overall performance of the Pb battery. Improved analytical capabilities
within the smelters and in the research and development laboratories of RSRNA have
allowed for more accurate analysis and control of trace impurities known to cause
gassing issues within lead batteries. Highly refined secondary Pb has shown similar
performance to primary Pb for battery applications, providing a recycled product that
meets the requirements for applications traditionally requiring the use of a mined
source of material.
Utilizing improved smelting and refining processes and combining those with the
use of core quality tools, advanced analytical techniques and collaboration projects
with Argonne National Laboratory, RSRNA have developed several new alloys to
improve battery performance in the areas of increased cycle life and high-temperature
performance. SUPERSOFT-HYCYCLE
® was developed as a micro-alloyed active
material Pb containing antimony and arsenic at controlled levels designed to improve
capacity and cycle life of the battery. Understanding the roles of micro-alloyed elements on the crystal growth and dissolution of PbO 2 and PbSO 4 was a key in the
development of this alloy. Battery testing at the 2 V test cell and on 12 V batteries
demonstrates the cycle life improvement from SUPERSOFT-HYCYCLE
® compared
to normal leady oxide active material [2]. 009-PERFORMANCE GRID™ alloy has
shown enhanced mechanical testing properties and improved corrosion resistance
over traditional PbSnCa grid alloys, especially at elevated temperatures. This alloy
has increased levels of Ag and the addition of Ba which has shown to inhibit grid pit
corrosion and increase cycle life at 60 °C [2].
Conclusions
Ensuring the safe and responsible recycling of Pb batteries is RSRNA’s priority. Challenges will continue to rise from regulatory bodies and from other battery chemistries
in the market. Continuous improvement in handling Pb emissions and reducing workforce exposure are key priorities to the long-term company strategy. Developing and
producing quality Pb and Pb alloys that improve battery performance will help to
ensure the lead battery stays the dominant technology in the energy storage market.