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The basic chemistry of gas recombination in lead-acid batteries

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Abstract

Oxygen-recombination chemistry has been wedded to traditional lead-acid battery technology to produce so-called sealed, or valve-regulated, lead-acid products. Early attempts to incorporate recombination into lead-acid batteries were unsuccessful because of excessive cost, size, and/or complexity, and none were effectively commercialized. Over the past 20 years, recombination systems have been developed and are under going an extensive program of definition and refinement at many battery companies. This paper presents the basic chemistry of oxygen recombination in lead-acid cells and briefly compares it with the more highly developed nickel-cadmium system, which also operates on the oxygen cycle. Aspects of gas and thermal management relevant to valve-regulated lead-acid batteries are discussed in some detail.

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For more information, contact Robert Nelson, Recombination Technologies LLC, 909 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado 80204; telephone (303) 573-7402; fax (303) 573-7403; e-mail nelson7402@aol.com.

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Nelson, R. The basic chemistry of gas recombination in lead-acid batteries. JOM 53, 28–33 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-001-0160-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-001-0160-2

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