Optimum Pickling process for Tubular Plate Deep Cycle Lead Acid Battery Formation

Abstract

Tubular positive plates are mainly used in Deep Cycle Lead Acid battery manufacturing. Pickling is a very essential part where tubular positive plate active material mixture of Lead Oxide and Red Lead, converts into Lead Sulfate. Many researches have conducted pickling on lead acid battery plates successfully between 2 – 10 hours for different formation profiles. In this research work, optimum pickling scheme of tubular plate has been studied for specific ACS formation profile. Majority of the process variable such as electrolyte density, lead oxide quality, gauntlet quality, washing and drying time of the plate remained unchanged. The only change that has been made to the process is the modification of picking tank air bubbling design. With the existing Acid Recirculation System (ACS) formation profile, it has become possible to reduce the pickling time from 10 hours to 6 hours. The optimum pickling scheme of 6 hours was found perfectly in corresponding with formation profile, battery physical properties such as Specific Gravity and Open Circuit Voltage, Capacity and Life Cycle of battery.