Influence of current and temperature on discharge characteristics of electrochemical nickel−cadmium system

Abstract

The paper elaborates determination of characteristic values in the discharging process of non-hermetic nickel-cadmium galvanic battery with nominal voltage Un = 60 V and nominal capacity qn = C5 = 190 Ah and its dependence from current and temperature. Study has been performed with the set of experimental metering of voltages, electromotive force, current from discharge time range and electromotive force in steady state regime before and after battery charging. Electromotive force characteristics are obtained by using the Nernst?s equation, while the least square method was used to determine the average values of internal electrical resistivity, power losses and efficiency level. These results were used in the approximate exponential functions to determine the range dependence of the efficiency level from the internal electrical resistance of discharge current in reliance from the temperature range. Obtained results show that, in accordance to the given voltage variation of 10% Un, this type of battery holds maximal full load current of one hour capacity at the temperature of 25?C and maximal full load current of two hours capacity at the temperature of ?30?C. The methodology used in the case study covers determination of the electromotive force in time range based on the metered results of values during complete battery fullness and emptiness with prior determination of equilibrium constants of galvanic battery reaction through method suggested by the author of this paper. Further process, using the electromotive force values obtained through the aforementioned process, the metered current, and approximate polynomial function of the nominal discharge voltage characteristic determines range of battery internal electric resistance from time, followed by the selection of discharge cases with average values for: voltage, electromotive force, internal electrical resistance, available and utilized power, power losses, and battery efficiency level. An overview of the obtained characteristics for analyzed battery and their comparison with the producers prescribed values and standards led to gaining of the valuable data that show how and in what measure do current and temperature influence the discharge characteristic of non-hermetic nickel-cadmium batteries with an especial observation of internal electrical resistance and battery efficiency level. Obtained results show that electrochemical power sources may provide electric energy with prescribed quality and quantity, with high level of work reliability, as well as with all other positive technical and economic effects within the given current-temperature range.