Effects of Ultrasonic Irradiation on the Capacity of Lead Storage Batteries

Abstract

Studies of ultrasonic application for increasing the capacity of lead storage batteries were attempted. However, conditions for ultrasonic wave irradiation were not clarified in these studies. This paper reports the relationship between the capacity increase and sound pressure as well as the ultrasonic irradiation cycle times. Experiments were conducted using a water tank in which lead storage batteries were placed. The sound pressures necessary for defining ultrasonic irradiation were measured precisely. It was found that the capacity of battery increased in proportion to ultrasonic irradiation time of up to 250 hours. The largest capacity increase was observed at sound pressures between 18–28 kPa. Above this sound pressure level, capacity increase saturated. At high pressures with cavitation, capacity increase was suppressed. This paper also describes the results of observation of the electrode surface with a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM).