Particle Image Velocimetry study on the formation of gas bubbles and electrolyte velocity due to electrochemical reactions for different distances between the electrodes of Flooded Lead_ Acid batteries

Abstract

During the charging processes in Flooded Lead_ Acid batteries (FLA), the production of gas bubbles occurs and it effects on the FLA performance. In this experimental investigation, the effect of distance between electrodes at different charge-discharge rates on the electrolyte flow velocity and bubbles behavior is investigated based on the Particle Image Velocimetry method. The reduction in the distance decreases the FLA capacity linearly at the same processes. It leads to an increase in the void fraction of bubbles and a decline in the diameter and rising velocity of the bubbles. The maximum diameter of the bubbles during the charging processes is very small compared to the distances between the electrodes. The effect of electrolyte velocity compared to the effect of the average rising velocity of bubbles on the FLA performance is negligible. The results show that the increase in the void fraction of the bubbles and the formation of bubble layers in the vicinity of the electrodes is the most critical factor at the increase of the ohmic resistance.