Acid stratification is a phenomenon that naturally occurs in flooded lead-acid batteries. The electrolyte inside the battery, a mixture of sulfuric acid and water, tends to separate over time.
Acid stratification happens naturally in lead-acid batteries. The fluid in a battery is called electrolyte. The electrolyte is a mixture of sulphuric acid and water. Acid is heavier than water and is fundamental to a lead-acid battery's electrochemical charge and discharge process.
What is lead acid battery electrolyte?
As you know, lead acid battery electrolyte is a mixture of water and sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is heavier than water. So, when the battery is not in use, the acid tends to settle down at the bottom of the cell. Stratification also occurs if the battery charge is regularly around 80-85%, not fully charged.
Why is electrolyte stratification more serious in lead-acid batteries?
Because the electrolyte amount is excessive in this measurement system and its convection is fast, the electrolyte stratification will be more serious in the practical lead-acid batteries due to the limited electrolyte amount and its poor convection. Figure 2.
What is equalizing charge in a lead acid battery?
Equalizing charge is charge that is 10% higher than the recommended charge level. It induces electrolysis, which mixes the electrolyte well. In lead acid batteries, acid stratification is a problem if you use your battery for small durations, like city driving during cold months, while using all the power-hungry gadgets for short distances.
Is acid stratification bad for batteries?
Acid Stratification Is Bad for Batteries - Ten Things You Need to Know. ACID STRATIFICATION causes the useful active material in the battery to be reduced by 40% within six to eight months of normal use, creating what is known in the industry as dead lead or inactive active material.
What causes sulfation in lead-acid batteries?
There are two sulfation mechanisms caused by electrolyte stratification under different operating conditions of lead-acid batteries. One refers to the battery often in the rest state or in the discharge state at very low current, for example, PV applications.