Substation Batteries

[sumeng05]

Our current flooded cell, station-class battery standard allows either Selenium or Antimony-type batteries. In the past Calcium-type batteries were used, but inherently had some problems concerning plate growth, affecting reliability and durability. Since then, it is understood that there have been advances in design that, in theory, take care of the problems that existed in the past.

-Do you currently use Calcium-type batteries?
-If so, has plate growth been a problem?
-Are there any new issues that have come up concerning this type of battery (Has Reliability, Durability, etc. been effected.)?
-Do higher float and equalize voltages cause any operating concerns (switchgear, etc.)?
-Any particular manufactures to look at for calcium-type batteries?
-Any other bad experiences? Good experiences?


Thanks in advance for the input.

LGM

 

[Sargardani]

Hello sumeng05

Yes one of the facilities I used to work in had Ca and YES we had problems with buckling and expansion of the plates within the first year. The expansion of the plates was so severe that it was popping open the top coves of the containers. We did register an increase in the internal resistance of the batteries and decrease in sp gravities of the cells. All this happened during the first year after commissioning of the batteries, which was the defect libiality period, and the supplier had to replace the batteries with Ca free type.

I am afraid it won't be appropriate to disclose the name of the manufacturere in this forum.



Sarg

 

[sumeng05]

Was this a recent experience

Sumeng05

 

[Sargardani]

Depends what you mean by recent.... actually it was back in the 90s.

Sarg

 

[sumeng05]

From my research into this topic that seems to be the time period in which the plate growth problem existed. I have heard that there have been developments in design that remedy or prolong the effects of this problem. I have also heard of other additives such as selenium in conjunction with calcium slow the plate growth problem down.

Thanks for the input Sarg.

Sumeng05