Battery Repair Research Articles

Assessment of blood lead and haemoglobin levels among battery technicians and local government office workers in South-western Nigeria

Introduction: Human exposure to lead has significant public health problems. Occupational exposure of lead has shifted from industrial sources to battery repair activities. Battery technicians are at risk of exposure to lead via inhalation of fumes, oral ingestion and skin absorption. Objectives: To assess and compare blood lead and haemoglobin levels of battery technicians and local government office workers in South-western Nigeria Methods: A cross-sectional study with multi-stage sampling was used to compare battery technicians and office workers in Lagos State. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection while blood samples were collected for lead and haemoglobin measurements. Chi-squared test, Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher’s exact test and Student t-test were used to test for significance at p≤0.05.Results: A total of 150 battery technicians and 150 office workers participated in the study. The battery technicians were less educated and earned less but had more years of working experience (p≤0.001) when compared to office workers. The median (range) blood lead value for battery workers was 9.0 (1.0-24.0) μg/dl compared to office workers 0.3 (0.01-3.2) μg/dl, which was statistically significant. The age of office workers was associated with their blood haemoglobin level. Conclusions & Recommendations: Blood lead level of battery technicians was significantly higher than that of the office workers but their haemoglobin levels were non-significant. A switch to repair of non-lead batteries, changing the work process by enclosing the battery during repairs, more trainings on lead exposure reduction, use of personal protective devices and regular biological monitoring of lead may control elevated lead level among battery technicians.

Effect of microwaves on the repair of lead-acid batteries

Abstract Lead-acid batteries are widely used in the automotive industry, and a large amount of waste lead-acid batteries cause enormous pressure on resources and the environment. Repairing aging lead-acid batteries is an effective way to solve this problem. Due to the fact that microwaves can affect most chemical reactions and promote their progress, this paper will study the repair effect of microwaves on lead-acid batteries by combining theory and experiment methods. By analyzing the reaction principle of lead-acid batteries, a multi-physics model is established to study the influence of microwaves on the lead-acid batteries, and an experimental system is built to test the changes in capacity and final charge voltage of lead-acid batteries under the radiation of microwaves. The results demonstrate that microwave treatment significantly enhances the capacity of aging lead-acid batteries, particularly when the initial capacity is slightly above 50% of the rated capacity. Moreover, heating the battery with hot air alone hardly affects its capacity. This study reveals that microwaves have reparative effects on lead-acid batteries, providing a new method for repairing aging batteries.

Cottage industry as a source of high exposure to lead: A biomonitoring study among people involved in manufacturing cookware from scrap metal.

In low-income countries, a widespread but poorly studied type of cottage industry consists of melting scrap metal for making cookware. We assessed the exposure to lead (Pb) among artisanal workers, and their families, involved in manufacturing cookware from scrap metal. In a cross-sectional survey, we compared artisanal cookware manufacturing foundries with carpentry workshops (negative controls) and car battery repair workshops (positive controls), all located in residential areas, in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). We collected surface dust in the workspaces, and blood and urine samples among workers, as well as residents living in the cookware workshops. Trace elements were quantified in the samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In surface dust, median Pb concentrations were higher in cookware foundries (347 mg/kg) than in carpentries (234 mg/kg) but lower than in battery repair workshops (22,000 mg/kg). In workers making the cookware (n = 24), geometric mean (GM) Pb blood cencentration was 118 μg/L [interquartile range (IQR) 78.4–204], i.e. nearly twice as high as among carpenters [60.2 μg/L (44.4–84.7), n = 33], and half the concentration of battery repair workers [255 μg/L (197–362), n = 23]. Resident children from the cookware foundries, had higher urinary Pb [6.2 μg/g creatinine (2.3–19.3), n = 6] than adults [2.3 (2.2–2.5), n = 3]. Our investigation confirms the high Pb hazard linked to car battery repair and reveals a high exposure to Pb among artisanal cookware manufacturers and their families, especially children, in residential areas of a city in a low-income country.

Dynamic Li+ Capture through Ligand-Chain Interaction for the Regeneration of Depleted LiFePO4 Cathode.

After application in electric vehicles, spent LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries are typically decommissioned. Traditional recycling methods face economic and environmental constraints. Therefore, direct regeneration has emerged as a promising alternative. However, irreversible phase changes can significantly hinder the efficiency of the regeneration process owing to structural degradation. Moreover, improper storage and treatment practices can lead to metamorphism, further complicating the regeneration process. In this study, a sustainable recovery method is proposed for the electrochemical repair of LFP batteries. A ligand-chain Zn-complex (ZnDEA) is utilized as a structural regulator, with its ─NH─ group alternatingly facilitating the binding of preferential transition metal ions (Fe3+ during charging and Zn2+ during discharging). This dynamic coordination ability helps to modulate volume changes within the recovered LFP framework. Consequently, the recovered LFP framework can store more Li-ions, enhance phase transition reversibility between LFP and FePO4 (FP), modify the initial Coulombic efficiency, and reduce polarization voltage differences. The recovered LFP cells exhibit excellent capacity retention of 96.30% after 1500 cycles at 2C. The ligand chain repair mechanism promotes structural evolution to facilitate ion migration, providing valuable insights into the targeted ion compensation for environmentally friendly recycling in practical applications.

Functionalization of a 110 Wp Photovoltaic System for Computer Room Power Supply at SMK Muhammadiyah 2 Turi Sleman

Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan Muhammadiyah 2 Turi Sleman has a photovoltaic system that powers the computer room. However, since 2022, the system has not been working correctly. This paper aims to restore the photovoltaic system’s functionality. The activities include checking the condition of the system’s components and taking corrective actions. During the inspection, it was found that the solar module was not installed outdoors, and the battery’s performance had decreased, showing a voltage of only 11.95 V. The solar module had been installed outdoors correctly. Performance tests revealed that the system can produce electrical energy, with the solar module generating an average open circuit voltage of 23.32 V in sunny weather. The battery repair resulted in an average voltage of 12.23 V. The photovoltaic system now functions as a power supply for the computer room.

Analysis and Prospect of Key Common Technologies for Echelon Utilization of New Energy Vehicle Traction Batteries

Echelon utilization refers to the process of necessary detection, classification, disassembly, repair, or recombination of waste power batteries into echelon utilization battery products, so that they can be applied to other fields. Echelon utilization, as an important disposal procedure and means for retired power batteries in new energy vehicles, deserves in-depth research and exploration of its key technological development path. However, echelon utilization is still in its early stages. In order to grasp the current development status of echelon utilization technology and to further solve the existing technological bottlenecks, this article analyzes the its process and current technological development status, and puts forward targeted suggestions.

Assessing the economic and environmental impacts of battery leasing and selling models for electric vehicle fleets: A study on customer and company implications

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) powered by renewable energy hold promise for significantly decarbonizing land-based transport. However, the environmental impacts of BEVs remain a critical concern. This paper investigates the circular business model (CBM) of leasing batteries for BEVs and compares its economic and environmental impacts with the linear model of selling and buying batteries. A comprehensive approach combining a battery fleet model, net present value (NPV) analysis, and cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) is employed. By considering diverse driving profiles instead of the single “average” profile used in previous studies, the battery fleet model provides a more accurate representation of reality. The findings reveal that while leasing batteries can be as profitable as selling them, companies that lease may require higher revenues and tax contributions to obtain a comparable NPV. To generate additional income, companies may need to charge fees that do not always benefit customers. Notably, battery purchasing remains the most cost-effective option for users driving over 10,000 km/year. The LCA results indicate that the environmental benefits of leasing batteries over selling them are marginal. Leasing offers advantages such as user flexibility, and it encourages battery repair, repurposing, and recycling; however, there is insufficient evidence to support the cost-effectiveness of leasing or significant environmental improvements over traditional buying and selling models. The findings may be relevant for other business models targeting a substantial user base in the BEV domain, such as battery-as-a-service (BaaS) programs and battery swapping.

Comparison of photovoltaic nanogrid implementation: a simple reliability model for frontier, remote, and disadvantaged areas

This paper aims to evaluate the photovoltaic (PV) nanogrid implementation and its risk for a project at a remote location. Unlike the normal approach, this approach is based on a discontinuity project. The main advantage of the model is the simplicity to compute the expected lifetime and display the reliability curve. The reliability is calculated using state space equation and a quantitative approach evaluates the risk of PV nanogrid scenarios based on costs. The MATLAB/Simulink simulates the scenarios including the basic scenario of a PV system that is a PV nanogrid consisting of a PV array and inverter, scenario 1 that is a PV nanogrid with a battery system, scenario 2 is an extension of scenario 1 with a battery repair, and scenario 3 is a PV nanogrid connected to the grid. The result indicates that adding a battery system increases the reliability and the expected lifetime of the system, and the battery system’s maintenance makes it higher. Scenario 3 shows high reliability and a longer expected lifetime. The risk matrix shows the position of reliability and its impact on each scenario. This work can be used in practice as an objective assessment to electrify frontier, remote, and disadvantaged (3T) areas beside levelized cost of energy (LCOE).

Concentration of heavy elements and metallothionein in the serum of workers in the industrial city of the Qar Governorat

This study was conducted in biology department labs, college of science university of The-Qar in Iraq, designed during the period from October 2201 to May 2022. The purpose of the study is measuring the protein (metalothionine) and some heavy elements (Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Chromium and Selenium) in blood serum workers in the industrial city in Dhi-Qar Governorate, north of Nasiriyah city. The current study included 100 samples ranging in age from (21-55) years, 50 samples battery repair, and 50 samples of healthy people away from the industrial city and exposure direct pollutants as a control group. The results and statistical analysis showed illustrated the level of all elements increase significantly in battery repair group. Compared with control group. The results of the study also showed that concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu and Se for battery repair workers were with a means (0.46 ± 0.12, 0.32 ± 0.06, 4.20 ± 0.82 , 1.98 ± 0.23, 0.33 ± 0.13) μg/dl respectively, and the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu and Se for healthy people were with a means (0.29 ± 0.01, 0.28 ± 0.04, 3.91 ± 0.71, 0.87 ± 0.14, 0.16 ± 0.03) μg/dl respectively.

EETSP: Energy‐efficient two‐stage routing protocol for wireless sensor network‐assisted Internet of Things

SummaryWireless sensor network (WSN) is a key technology that can support Industrial Revolution 4.0. The sensor nodes (SNs) are the important component of WSN. Recharge or repair of batteries of SNs is impossible, and thus, energy is the most valuable resource of WSN. Over the years, many methods have been proposed to conserve the precious energy resource of WSN. The most important concern in WSN is how much of the energy of the SNs can be saved, which can contribute to the better network life of WSN. WSN‐assisted IoT output is reduced when a wide region of the network is deployed. Energy‐efficient routing is one of the ways to reduce power consumption in WSNs. Therefore, a novel energy‐efficient two‐stage routing protocol (EETSP) has been proposed to reduce the energy used in WSN and extend the stability period as well as the network lifetime of WSN. Through this protocol, the number of packets communicated to the base station (BS) is significantly improved, and the cluster heads (CHs) and secondary cluster heads (SCHs) reduce the energy utilization in the network. SCH works as a backup CH. EETSP consists of two stages. The selection of CH and SCH is made in the primary stage, based on the input parameters. Intercluster routing and intracluster routing are performed in the second stage. The improvements of EETSP are examined against LEACH and Z‐SEP, and obtained results indicate that the EETSP is better in terms of stability period, throughput and network lifetime.

Life cycle assessment of power batteries used in electric bicycles in China

China has the largest number of electric bicycles (EBs) in the world; they use a considerable amount of batteries. Lead-acid batteries (LABs) are being gradually replaced with lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in these EBs. It is necessary to explore the environmental impact of these batteries in China. This study quantified the full life cycle environmental performance of LABs (lead-antimony-cadmium, Pb–Sb–Cd, and lead-tin-calcium, Pb–Sn–Ca) and LIBs (lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese, NCM, and lithium-iron-phosphate, LFP) through the life cycle assessment methodology. The results showed that the material extraction and processing and the battery use stages were the main processes that affected the overall environmental performance. The battery manufacturing and transportation stages had a negligible environmental impact, whereas the battery recycling could increase the environmental benefits of batteries. However, the environmental contribution of the end-of-life (EOL) stage of LIBs was not as good as LABs, especially for LFP batteries. Overall, LFP batteries had better environmental performance except for the highest carcinogenic human toxicity potentials caused by the Cr (VI) discharge from the copper production. Pb–Sn–Ca batteries had the lowest toxic potential to humans and water because of the use of cadmium-free technology. The advantages of NCM batteries over LABs were not obvious currently but had great potential for improvement. Scenarios for cycle life, recycling rate, echelon utilization, and repair and reuse of batteries were established to analyze opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of batteries. Then, several implications were proposed for the development of technology for batteries in EBs.

On determining productive capacity of EV traction battery repair area

On determining productive capacity of EV traction battery repair area

Підготовка фахівців з ремонту та обслуговування електромобілів в Україні

The purpose of the article is to analyse the market of the environmentally friendly cars in Ukraine within the training of specialists in repairing and maintaining electric vehicles in Ukraine. Taking into consideration international trends, the prospects for their use in Ukraine are very relevant. However, the speed of the adoption of legislative decisions leads to the inhibition of this process. As a result, the infrastructure is not developing in this direction. The potential buyer of an electric vehicle pushes away the purchase of an electric vehicle due to the lack of service, since it is almost impossible to find highly skilled personnel who can service and repair electric vehicles. Therefore, the issue of the personnel support within this area remains unsolved. The content of the notions “competence” and “specialist in the repair and maintenance of electric vehicles” have been determined. A specialist of the specified profile should be an expert on the scheduled maintenance of electric vehicles; be good at certification issues, diagnostics and repair of high-voltage batteries and electronic systems, maintenance of chargers, repair of hybrid installations, etc. The educational institutions where training specialists in repairing and maintaining electric vehicle is carried out have been analyzed. There are many educational institutions which provide training in the area of “Automobile Transport”; however, the training of specialists in maintaining and repairing electric vehicles has not been not carried out within this area. A great number of unsolved issues substantiate the reason for the above said: the legislative framework, material, technical and methodological support, including the issues devoted to the training of university instructors majoring in special disciplines as well as to the internship courses intended for the teachers and masters of practical training within the system of professional (vocational) education. The curriculum on the discipline “Hybrid and electric transmission of vehicles” has been elaborated and proposed. The proposed curriculum involves the mastering of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in determining the characteristics of hybrid and electric transmission of vehicles; it can serve as a professional qualification program for training specialists in the repair and maintenance of electric vehicles in Ukraine. Keywords: electric vehicles, hybrids, specialists in the repair and maintenance of electric vehicles, competence, curriculum.

Some issues of diagnostics and repair of car batteries "Nissan Leaf"

Timely and competent maintenance of lithium-ion batteries as well as lead-acid ones will lead to an improvement in their performance properties. Analysis of publications. Current publications on the repair of (Li-ion) car batteries indicated the necessity to replace worn cells with the same type batteries, where the capacity is at least 80% in nominal fractions without prior detailed diagnosis of the battery cells. The purpose and setting of the problem. The purpose of this work is: to develop a method for diagnosing the electrical parameters of the battery cells of the Nissan Leaf. Investigation of operational parameters of the battery of the electric car in the process of its repair. The efficiency of an electric vehicle's battery is determined in full dependence on the quality level of the weakest module in its composition. In this case, a comparative assessment of each module installed in the restored electric car is not carried out. On the basis of the experiments carried out in the laboratory of the Automobile Electronics Department of KhNAHU it was established that, all other things being equal, when conducting the test discharge of Li-ion battery it gave the most capacity when the “strongest” module was installed from the “+” side of the battery, and the rest were in descending order of their capacity. And when installing the “weakest” module from the “+” side of the output of the battery, and the rest - in the order of increasing their capacity, the same battery gave up 10% less capacity in the control discharge. Proper selection of the installation site of Li-ion modules approved for further use will allow for achieving the maximum available capacity for a given battery. Conclusions. Completion of battery modules with a minimum dispersion of parameters and their correct location in the circuit allows for increasing the output capacity by 10% and, accordingly, the kilometer run. Key words: electric cars; accumulator battery; electric capacity.

Essential and non-essential trace elements among working populations in Ghana

BackgroundLead battery repair workers (LBRW) and electronic repair workers (ERW) may be exposed to inorganic components during work. This study aimed at determining essential and non-essential trace elements in male LBRW, ERW, referents and a group of female petty traders (FPT) in Kumasi (Ghana), taking into account iron status and inflammation. MethodsAltogether 64 LBRW, 64 ERW, 65 referents and 26 FPT were investigated in this cross-sectional study. Urine, whole blood and serum were collected for determination of trace elements. C-reactive protein and ferritin were determined in serum. ResultsThe LBRW had higher blood concentrations of manganese (B-Mn) and lead (B-Pb) and antimony in urine (U-Sb), and lower concentrations of cobalt in blood (B-Co). Being ERW was associated with higher concentrations of blood cadmium (B-Cd), urinary tin (U-Sn) and serum chromium (S-Cr). Concentrations of selenium (B-Se), Co and mercury (B-Hg) in whole blood and iodine in urine (U-I) were relatively high. Marginal iron status appeared to be a determinant for elevated concentrations of Co in particular, but also Mn and Cd in blood. Systemic inflammation was associated with the concentrations of copper and Se. The concentrations of Hg in whole blood were highly associated with Se and arsenic (As) in whole blood, indicating fish consumption as a common source of intake of these elements. However, Hg in whole blood was only slightly associated with Se in serum. ConclusionsThe ERW had elevated concentrations of B-Cd, S-Cr, and U-Sn, while B-Mn, B-Pb, and U-Sb concentrations were higher among the LBRW. Iron status and inflammation had substantial impact on some element concentration. This population had high concentrations of B-Se, B-Hg and B-Co and U-I.

Steel, metallurgical coal, and coke: Markets and innovations. A review of presentations at Eurocoke Summit 2017

This review analyzes the economy of the European Community, the market for steel, metallurgical coal, and coke, and price trends. Successful coke producers are identified, and information is provided regarding the repair of coke batteries, research topics, and the curtailment of CO2 emissions in coke production.

Pulmonary function of automobile repair workers in the informal sector of Raichur urban

Background: Automobile repair workers of the informal sector are exposed to dusts, toxic fumes and aerosols. Long term occupational exposure may lead to pulmonary function impairment. Hence, the objectives were to study the occurrence of obstructive and restrictive pulmonary impairment among the automobile repair workers by using pulmonary function test and the factors associated with it.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in automobile repair workers who work in informal sector in the urban area of Raichur in Karnataka. The pulmonary function tests viz. Forced Expiratory volume in one second, Forced vital capacity, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate per liter and FEV1/FVC ratio in percentage were measured for each worker in sitting posture using a digital spirometer. Data collected were analyzed in SPSS 16.0 software. Chi-square test and t test was used.Results: Out of the 97 automobile repair workers, 42 (43.3%) had normal pulmonary function. Among the abnormal PFT, 20 (20.6%) had obstructive lung function, 25 (25.8%) had restrictive lung function and 10 (10.3%) had mixed obstructive and restrictive lung function. The workers with abnormal PFT consisted of body repair workers (25.0%), mechanical workers (38.1%), spray painters (75.0%), battery repair workers (100.0%) and tyre retreading workers (88.9%).Conclusions: In this study, 56.7% of workers had some form of pulmonary function impairment. Smoking, increase in duration of work hours and years of work showed significant pulmonary impairment. The study highlights the need for creating awareness and encouraging the use of protective gears such as masks, early screening, diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases among the garage workers.

Association between Soil and Blood Lead Levels of Small Scale Battery Repair Workers in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Association between Soil and Blood Lead Levels of Small Scale Battery Repair Workers in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Research on the Changes of Physico-Chemical Properties of Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead-acid batteries were widely used in many industries as important power supply devices for military and civil industries, transport and shipment devices owing to its advantages of low cost,high performance and safety. According to statistics, most lead-acid batteries can reach 1-2 years life under operating conditions, generating millions of used lead-acid batteries each year in China, which caused economic and environmental losses if not properly treated. The changes of physico-chemical properties in the process of operation of lead-acid battery were summarized in this paper. The corrosion and deformation of grids, water loss in electrolyte, aging of separators, corrosion of plates and irreversible sulfation were the main physico-chemical properties changes resulting in battery failure. In the homogeneous acidic medium, the grid of the lead-acid battery corroded away, one side was dotted distribution, and the other side was interlaced net shape. The corrosion of grids and incomplete reaction may lead to the water loss in electrolyte. What’s more, there existed a series of chemical reactions that reducing the battery capacity and leading to the failure of batteries, such as the aging and elastic collision of separators and irreversible sulfation. By analyzing the physico-chemical properties changes in the process of operation, the study supplied the direction for the specification of operating conditions and the extending of service life of lead-acid battery. The basic theories were provided for the repair, regeneration and recovery of lead-acid batteries.

Injury Surveillance and Safety Considerations for Large-Format Lead-Acid Batteries Used in Mining Applications.

Large lead-acid batteries are predominantly used throughout the mining industry to power haulage, utility, and personnel-carrier vehicles. Without proper operation and maintenance, the use of these batteries can introduce mechanical and electrical hazards, particularly in the confined, and potentially dangerous, environment of an underground coal mine. A review of the Mine Safety and Health Administration accident/illness/injury database reveals that a significant number of injuries occur during the maintenance and repair of lead-acid batteries. These injuries include burns from electrical arcing and acid exposure, as well as strained muscles and crushed hands. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health investigated the design and implementation of these batteries to identify safety interventions that can mitigate these inherent hazards. This paper promotes practical design modifications, such as reducing the size and weight of battery assembly lids in conjunction with lift assists, as well as using five-pole cable connectors to improve safety.