Battery electrolyte composition

Alkaline electrolyte: composition and instructions for self-preparation at home, density for batteries

It's no secret that modern batteries run on electrolyte. This substance allows batteries to accumulate charge and release it in the form of final electricity during operation.

One of the most common electrolytes is alkaline, which is actively used in batteries of the same name. This substance works well in battery operation, but also has some disadvantages.

We will talk in more detail about them, the essence of the alkaline electrolyte and the principles of its operation in today’s article.

A few words about alkaline electrolyte

Alkaline electrolyte is one of the main components of batteries of the same name. Today, a similar substance is used in many batteries, so the relevance of its consideration is quite high. The typical electrolyte composition for alkaline batteries is:

or from caustic potassium and lithium compounds;
or from sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, as well as the same lithium.

Any of the compounds noted above in a certain concentration is diluted with distilled water, which forms an electrolyte solution for alkali. In terms of formation, it is liquid and appears, at first glance, as ordinary water.

those we are considering are alkaline;
and acidic.

The former, compared to the latter, are more reliable and durable battery components.

In addition, alkaline electrolytes are superior to acidic ones in many respects, with the exception of one BUT - they are not capable of producing a starting current.

This point seriously undermined the use of “alkali” in car batteries, so acid electrolytes and corresponding batteries are much more common in modern cars.

Life time

Potassium-lithium alkaline electrolyte, with proper operation and high-quality preparation, is one of the longest serving in its field.

It has been experimentally proven that this liquid can withstand more than 1000 charge-discharge cycles, which is simply a huge number of such procedures.

However, when using alkaline electrolytes, it is worth keeping in mind the factors that reduce their service life. The most important of these are the following:

Frequent insufficient battery charging;
Systematic deep discharge of the battery;
Insufficient amount of electrolyte in the separator;
Long-term use of electrolyte at high ambient temperatures;
Fluid operating temperatures are too high and frequent.

By avoiding the presence of these factors specifically in your situation, you can extend the service life of the battery and alkaline electrolyte separately significantly. Note that when using such liquids, it is also important to constantly refill the battery with the same type of electrolytes. Otherwise, the battery life will be reduced.

Procedure for filling electrolyte into an alkaline battery

Let’s say that an alkaline battery has stopped holding a charge or has completely failed. What to do in such a situation? Most likely, you will have to change the potassium-lithium alkaline electrolyte, but before replacing or topping it up, it is important to make sure that:

battery electrodes are intact;
the separators and their plates were not crumbled;
The battery does not work precisely because it is discharged.

If these points have been successfully confirmed, then there is no doubt about the need to fill the electrolyte. The procedure for this is as follows:

Remove the battery from the car;
Place it in a place protected from third parties, children and sources of current, fire, water, and also convenient for working with the battery;
Prepare yourself with a complete set of protective clothing (at a minimum, safety glasses and gloves), a tool for opening the battery cover, and alkaline electrolyte for filling. The latter, by the way, can be bought both in a store (the cost starts from 30 rubles) and prepared at home;
Then carefully remove the battery cover and begin to fill in the electrolyte, following the corresponding marks;
After the fluid has been added to the required level, return the battery to its original condition and install it back on the car.

When completely or partially changing the electrolyte in an alkaline battery, be sure to charge it in high mode (about 12 hours) or normal mode (6 hours). In other cases, accelerated charging (about 3 hours) with a 2-fold increase in normal current is acceptable.

Rules for charging an alkaline battery

Since the functioning of an alkaline electrolyte largely depends on how exactly the battery into which it is filled will be charged, it would not be amiss to consider the basic rules for charging the corresponding batteries. In general, their list is as follows:

Charge the battery exclusively at medium and high current levels, since this practice has a positive effect on both the condition of the alkaline electrolyte and the condition of the battery;
During the charging process, be sure to ensure that the electrolyte containing lithium does not exceed a temperature of more than 45 degrees Celsius and 35 for electrolytes without lithium;
It is necessary to insulate alkaline batteries during charging only if the ambient temperature is less than minus 30 degrees Celsius. In other cases, the batteries are charged as usual;
When charging the battery, make sure that the electrolyte does not splash out, as this is not permissible;
After 10 charge-discharge cycles, always check the electrolyte level and, if necessary, top it up.

A clear sign that the alkali battery was charging correctly will be the presence of 1.4-1.45 Volts of voltage at the beginning of charging the battery and 1.75-1.85 Volts at the end.

Learning to prepare alkaline electrolyte

At the end of today’s material about alkaline electrolytes for batteries, it would be useful to pay attention to how to make them at home. To achieve this goal, first of all, you need to prepare:

starting materials for preparing the electrolyte: distilled water (GOST 6709-72), potassium hydroxide KOH grades A, B (GOST 9285-69) and lithium oxide hydrate Li(OH)3 (GOST 8595-75);
iron, cast iron or plastic containers with tight lids;
similar items for stirring the solution;
A hydrometer is a device that is required to measure the density of a prepared electrolyte.

Direct preparation of alkaline electrolyte is carried out as follows:

The required amount of distilled water is poured into the vessel;
With gentle movements, alkali is either poured into the liquid or placed with steel pins;
After this, the solution is stirred with special devices, and its density is adjusted to the required indicators by using a hydrometer, as well as adding certain substances to the electrolyte.

The prepared electrolyte is poured into glass containers, which are closed with tight rubber stoppers. It is advisable to store alkaline electrolyte away from children and the sun. In addition, containers with the substance should be marked accordingly.

With this, perhaps, the most important provisions on the issue under consideration today have come to an end. As you can see, alkaline electrolyte is the most important component of batteries of the same name, requiring systematic checking and replacement. We hope the material presented above was useful to you. Good luck with car repairs and on the roads!

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Source: https://SwapMotor.ru/ustrojstvo-dvigatelya/shhelochnoj-elektrolit.html

How to increase the density of electrolyte in a battery?

Car owners are often interested in how to increase the density of the electrolyte in the battery, what is the composition of the electrolyte and its required amount.

Purpose and device of the battery

The battery in a car performs several functions:

it is used to start the engine
when the engine is turned off, it supplies energy to some devices (side lights, alarms, etc.)
supplements the generator if it is broken or cannot withstand the load

Video from Discovery about the purpose and structure of the battery

Battery electrolyte composition

An electrolyte is a solution that conducts electric current. The composition of the electrolyte for car batteries is as follows:

Sulfuric acid (40%)
Distilled water (60%)

When preparing an electrolyte, a solution with a certain density must be obtained. It is 1.40 g/cm3. If you exceed this value, the solution will become very hot during the preparation process. The following ratio is recommended: 0.650 liters of sulfuric acid (density 1.83 g/cm3) per 1 liter of distilled water.

Acid can be purchased at specialized hardware stores. Remember that when preparing a solution, you need to pour the acid into the water, and not vice versa . The density of 1.40 g/cm3 is typical only for a fresh solution (it is also called correction or corrective).

During operation it will inevitably decrease.

How to increase the electrolyte density in a battery

Reducing the density of the electrolyte causes the battery to discharge faster. If you need to increase the density of the electrolyte in the battery, then there is a simple way to do this.

First, use a hydrometer, a device for measuring the density of a liquid. You can buy it at a home improvement store. The best hydrometers are made of glass and are capable of measuring density over a wide range.

Using this device, measure the density in each of the battery cans. It should be in the range of 1.23-1.31 g/cm3 (depending on the region). The lower value corresponds to warm regions (in Russia this is the south).

The upper one is suitable for cold northern regions.

If the density drops to 1.18-1.20 g/cm3, start draining the old one and adding a new correction solution with a density of 1.40 g/cm3 (you can buy it at a car store or prepare it yourself according to the instructions written above).

You can reduce the amount of electrolyte in the battery by pumping it out with an enema. Periodically rock the battery to mix the new and old solutions. Gradually you will reach the desired value of 1.23-1.31 g/cm3.

Required electrolyte density depending on climate

Climate zone Density

Far North (winter temperature below -40)	1.27 g/cm3 in summer, 1.31 g/cm3 in winter
North (temperatures in winter above -40)	1.29 g/cm3 all year round
Central regions	1.27 g/cm3 all year round
South	1.25 g/cm3 all year round
Tropics	1.23 g/cm3 all year round

Helpful tips when charging your battery

How to choose a new battery

Source: http://www.chto-kak-skolko.ru/index.php/avtomobili-i-drugie-ts/diagnostika-i-remont/akkumulyator/kak-povysit-plotnost-elektrolita-v-akkumulyatore

Electrical equipment cheat sheets – Electrolyte. Preparation rules and starting materials

Page 5 of 14

Electrolyte. Preparation rules and starting materials.

Preparation of battery electrolyte. The electrolyte is prepared from battery sulfuric acid and distilled water. The use of so-called technical sulfuric acid, which has foreign impurities (iron, copper, chlorine, etc.), causes premature failure of the battery.

The water used to prepare battery electrolyte must be chemically pure; therefore, distilled water should be used. Do not use water from a tap or a steam heating system, as such water contains iron.

It is also prohibited to use river or well water containing large amounts of salts that are harmful to the battery.

In the absence of distilled water, it is allowed to use rainwater (not collected from iron roofs or in iron vessels), as well as water obtained from melting snow placed in a glass or plastic vessel.

To prepare the electrolyte, you need to use dishes that are resistant to the action of sulfuric acid - ceramic, ebonite or lead. First, distilled water is poured into the container, and then the acid is poured with continuous stirring. The reverse order of acid filling is not allowed.

During intensive use of the vehicle, it is recommended to reduce the electrolyte density by 0.02 units, but not lower than 1.240, to increase the service life of the batteries.

Most open-type batteries supplied by European companies are required to use sulfuric acid and distilled water as components for preparing the electrolyte, the purity of which must comply with the German standard DIN 43530, which does not correspond to the acid widely used in domestic practice according to GOST 667-73 for the permissible number of individual impurities. A comparison of the physicochemical parameters of sulfuric acid according to DIN 43530 and another domestic standard GOST 4204-77 (acid for chemical analysis) shows that the latter can be used instead of the acid according to the German standard. Therefore, when dry-charged batteries are supplied without a complete electrolyte, it is possible to use acid in accordance with GOST 4204-77 and water in accordance with GOST 6709-72 when preparing the electrolyte. It is also possible to use acid of special purity in accordance with GOST 14262-78.

The exception is OPzS batteries manufactured by SONNENSCHEIN, for which it is permissible to use an electrolyte composed of premium and first grade sulfuric battery acid in accordance with GOST 667-73 and distilled water in accordance with GOST 6709-72.

For open-type batteries of domestic production (unless otherwise specified), the electrolyte must be prepared from sulfuric acid of the highest and first grade in accordance with GOST 667-73 and water in accordance with GOST 6709-72.

For most supplied imported open-type batteries, the density of the electrolyte being filled should be (1.24±0.005) g/cm3 at a temperature of 20 °C. Therefore, the density of the electrolyte, measured at a temperature other than 20 °C, must be reduced to the density at 20 °C according to the formula

δ20 = δ1 + a(t – 20 °C), where

δ20 – electrolyte density at a temperature of 20 °C, g/cm3;

δ1 – electrolyte density at temperature t, g/cm3;

a is the coefficient of change in electrolyte density with a change in temperature by 1 °C, g/cm3/°C (for a specific density value - see Table 8.1; for example, for an electrolyte density of 1.24 g/cm3 - a = 0.00072 g /cm3/°C);

t – electrolyte temperature, °C.

Before preparing battery electrolyte, you should ensure that the purity of the concentrated acid and distilled water meets the standard requirements. The quality of water and acid must be certified by a factory certificate or a chemical analysis report carried out in accordance with the requirements of the standards.

The preparation of large quantities of electrolyte should be carried out in tanks made of hard rubber or vinyl plastic, or in wooden tanks lined with lead or plastic.

First, water is poured into the tank in an amount of no more than 3/4 of its volume, and then acid is poured into a mug made of acid-resistant material with a capacity of up to 2 liters.

The pouring is carried out in a thin stream, constantly stirring the solution with a stirrer made of acid-resistant material and controlling its temperature, which should not exceed 60 ° C.

Considering that the amount of heat released when dissolving sulfuric acid largely depends on the difference between its initial concentration and the final density of the electrolyte, it is advisable to dissolve concentrated sulfuric acid in two steps:

– first, concentrated sulfuric acid is diluted to obtain a solution with a specific density of 1,400 g/cm3;

– then the density of the resulting solution is reduced to the required density of the electrolyte, which is no longer associated with significant heat release.

The temperature of the electrolyte poured into batteries should not exceed 35 °C.

The battery, filled with electrolyte, is left for 2–4 hours to completely saturate the electrodes. The time after filling with electrolyte before charging should not exceed 15 hours to avoid sulfation of the electrodes.

Filling the battery with electrolyte. Depending on the climate zone in which cars operate, as well as the time of year, batteries are filled with sulfuric acid solutions of varying densities. The battery cells should be filled with electrolyte cooled to a temperature not exceeding 25° C.

Before pouring electrolyte into batteries that have not been used, it is necessary to remove the sealing disks from under the plugs (these disks are no longer installed on the battery).

After pouring the electrolyte into the battery, you should check its level in the cells using a glass tube 100-150 mm long, an outer diameter of 6-8 mm and an inner diameter of 5-6 mm. Marks should be placed on the tube at a distance of 10 and 15 mm from the lower end.

When measuring the level, the tube should be lowered into the element up to the safety flap, then clamp the upper hole with your finger and remove it. The column of electrolyte remaining in the tube indicates its level above the cell plates.

The electrolyte level should be 10-15 mm above the top edge of the plates.

Source: http://spargalki.ru/transport/11-spargalki-electrooborudovanie.html?start=4

We make electrolyte for the battery with our own hands

Without an electrolyte, the process of energy storage is not possible.

At the moment, technology is moving upward and power supplies are already filled with electrochemical fluid from the factory and charged, in fact you don’t need to do anything, these batteries are called maintenance-free, they have parts of “calcium” and “silver” in the plates.

Descriptions, explanations 42325.02.2017 22:34:25 Accumbaza

However, this was not the case at all times; back in the Soviet Union, antimony batteries were extremely popular, but they, in turn, usually came dry-charged (“you had to fill” and “charge” yourself). All battery owners need to know what this electrolyte is? This is a conductive liquid, which, under the influence of its composition on lead plates, can help in the accumulation or release of electric current.

Just, almost all liquids on Earth can be an electrolyte, in one way or another. In particular, ordinary water! In addition, in human blood there is also the concept of an electrolyte; our nerve cells transmit impulses precisely through it.

ELECTROLYTE COMPOSITION

Exactly, there is nothing difficult here. You need to mix sulfuric acid and distilled water in the required proportion.

Standard “tap” water will not work, because it contains a huge amount of various salt impurities, chlorine impurities and other things, all of which have a detrimental effect on the plates of the power source! The car's electrolyte has the required concentration; it is mirrored by the density of the finished composition; as a rule, it ranges from 1.23 to 1.29 g/cm3.

Temperature zones of Ukraine control different values. So a density of 1.23 g/cm3 is used in warm regions, and 1.29 (and even more) in cold regions. Do not forget that if the density value is low, then the car battery can simply freeze in extreme cold.

HOW TO MAKE IT WITH YOUR OWN HANDS

Before you start this, you need to know that any operations for making electrolyte with your own hands are very dangerous for your health! Because we will need to work with sulfuric acid in huge concentrations. You must wear protective equipment for your hands, body, and respiratory tract.

WHAT WILL BE NEEDED:

Sulfuric acid with a density of more than 1.83 g/cm3
Distilled water
Porcelain vessel

The production process is extremely easy; we need to mix our ingredients in the required proportions.

In particular, during the manufacturing process a large amount of heat is generated, as a result of which you should not use glass containers, they can simply burst.

Porcelain is perfect for this; then, when the temperature of the composition decreases, you can pour it into glass or plastic containers.

Next, we mix the ingredients and measure the density of the resulting composition with a hydrometer, after we have reached the required value - the electrolyte is ready.

Be that as it may, not everyone has a hydrometer in their garage! That’s why it’s worth a little help here, how much to add and what to add. For electrolyte density:

1.23 g/cm3 – you need to add 280 grams of sulfuric acid to a liter of distilled water

1.25 g/cm3 – per 1 liter. water 310 grams of acid

1.27 g/cm3 – per 1 liter. – 345 grams

1.29 g/cm3 – per 1 liter. – 385g.

So, you can prepare the electrolyte yourself, nothing else is required!

ELECTROLYTE INTO A CHARGED CAR POWER SOURCE

During discharges, the density of the electrolyte may decrease. This happens because the acid, combining with lead, settles in the form of sulfates on the plates. It is necessary to complete the process of recharging the battery and the sulfates begin to disintegrate, the concentration is resumed.

Be that as it may, with deep discharges, sulfates will create large crystals, which trivially pack the plates, and the density drops critically.

Electrolyte for car batteries

During the operation of a car, almost every owner is faced with the concept of electrolyte. Its level must be monitored, and the basic characteristics of the solution used must be known.

Of course, there is now a choice of maintenance-free (hermetically sealed) batteries and devices with a gel-like conductor inside. At the same time, the advantage and frequency of use of traditional alkaline and acid batteries is still a priority.

Our article discusses the composition of electrolyte for car batteries, its varieties and nuances of application.

The electrolyte in a car battery is a special liquid that provides the necessary energy storage. The performance and service life of the barathea largely depend on the composition and quality of such a conductor.

This indicator is measured by charge-discharge cycles and may differ for different battery types. Energy is stored directly in the electrolyte itself after recharging.

Most modern batteries operate using electrolyte solutions.

Differences in electrolytes for different types of batteries

Car batteries can be classified according to the type of substances used. They are mainly represented by two types of batteries: alkaline and acid. Just by the name it becomes clear that they have a completely different electrolyte solution environment. When purchasing or replacing fluid, this point must be taken into account, otherwise the battery will become unusable.

Composition of electrolyte solutions:

For alkaline batteries, a mixture of distilled water with metal salts dissolved in it is used.
Acid batteries use a sulfuric acid solution as a conductor. Its density should be in the range of 1.1-1.3 g/cm³. To prepare the solution yourself, you need to mix acid and distilled water.

The disadvantage of such devices is the need for regular inspection and refilling of the container with distilled water. The battery may be damaged if you use plain water or other similar liquid.

The fact is that distilled water is purified from the vast majority of mineral impurities. When using ordinary fluid, these elements react with acid, which leads to sedimentation and the appearance of plaque on the battery plates.

Using good quality distilled water will avoid such situations and extend the useful life of the battery.

Electrolyte manufacturing process

To top up the battery, only distilled water is used, but this point applies to a purchased battery with an already filled electrolyte solution. If the battery was sold “dry”, you will have to prepare the solution and fill it yourself. Any person can handle this, the main thing is to follow safety measures and the proportions of dilution of substances.

To prepare such a solution, sulfuric acid is used specifically for batteries. It undergoes a higher degree of purification, and its density is usually 1.84 g/cm³.

The use of other types of substances cannot provide the required purity and concentration of the solution.

If preparing it yourself is difficult, you can also use ready-made purchased fluid to refill the battery.

Preparation of electrolyte with an acidic medium:

The dilution container is used exclusively ceramic or ebonite. Glass quickly deteriorates due to the aggressive action of acid. The volume of the container is also important and should be at least four liters.
Suitable tool for stirring the solution. It must also be resistant to acidic environments.
A hydrometer is a special device that measures the density of a liquid. For a specific case, it should determine the density of the acid solution (sold in car dealerships).
Protective equipment, including not only thick clothing (work apron), but also gloves, as well as glasses to protect the eyes.
First of all, it is necessary to rinse all elements with which chemicals will subsequently come into contact with distilled water. This will prevent foreign impurities from getting into the solution.
An important point: water is first poured into the container, and only then acid is added. The reverse sequence will cause a violent chemical reaction with a strong increase in temperature.

In such a situation, it will be difficult to avoid burns and damage to the environment, so this rule should be remembered.
When adding acid to a liquid, it is necessary to carefully mix the solution with slow movements, achieving a homogeneous state.
The density of the electrolyte solution depends on the brand of battery, so you should definitely look at this point in the equipment instructions.
To prepare one liter of solution, take 0.35 liters of sulfuric acid and 0.7 liters of water. When mixed, the volume of the liquid decreases slightly. In addition, the temperature of the solution should also be taken into account, which also affects its density.

It is advisable to take measurements several times, and use the prepared solution only after you are completely convinced of its suitability.

Pouring the solution into the battery is carried out using a funnel and the same stirring tool. This must be done very carefully so as not to cause unwanted chemical reactions in the battery. The remaining solution should not be disposed of.

They are useful for refilling the battery, so they are poured into a glass container, tightly closed and be sure to be labeled with the date of preparation. This is necessary to eliminate the risk of using an already unusable solution, and also not to confuse the container with other technical substances.

Electrolyte life

The solution itself can be stored for a long time without losing its basic characteristics. In order to prevent precipitation, the container should be hidden from direct sunlight and strong temperature changes. As for the electrolyte already poured into the battery, its suitability will be more difficult to determine, because many factors influence this.

The useful life of a battery is influenced by the following factors:

Regular battery charging.
Maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Inspection and refilling with electrolyte.
Using exclusively high-quality chemicals to prepare the solution.

It is quite difficult to determine the exact period of battery use.

This is also influenced by the brand of the car, the equipment with additional functions and the intensity of use of the car. In addition, it is not so rare to encounter a factory defect in which a seemingly recently purchased battery fails.

Typically, manufacturers recommend replacing the battery every three to five years, but in modern realities, many car enthusiasts do not part with it for five to seven years.

How to control electrolyte

The electrolyte for acid batteries, however, as for its alkaline counterparts, does not have an actual expiration date.

Typically, a dry-charged battery is refilled only once, after which the solution is topped up, if necessary, to the required level.

A complete replacement of the solution will rarely be needed, usually if it becomes cloudy due to the use of ordinary or low-quality distilled water.

Electrolyte density in summer and winter

Depending on the temperature conditions of the car’s operation, it is necessary to control the density of the electrolyte solution used. To do this, you need to understand several rules, and also carefully study the operating instructions for your particular type of battery.

What is important to know:

In northern regions with harsh winters, the electrolyte density should be in the range of 1.27-1.29 g/cm³.
For the Middle Zone with a temperate climate, the preferred electrolyte density is from 1.25-1.27 g/cm³.
In the southern part of the country, the density of the electrolyte solution varies between 1.23-1.25 g/cm³.

To ensure long battery life, it is recommended to remove the device when it is not used for a long time (for example, at night).

It is believed that ambient temperatures below 30 degrees below zero take away more than 50% of the battery's charge, which negatively affects its further operation. You also need to know what electrolyte to fill the battery in the summer. It should have a lower density than the “winter” version.

This will facilitate the passage and accumulation of the discharge, and will also have a positive effect on the battery life.

How to achieve the desired density in a battery

When making a solution yourself, you need not only to know what the electrolyte consists of. The main requirement is to ensure the required density of the liquid so that the charge is well preserved in such an environment.

To monitor and check this indicator, a simple and accessible device is used - a hydrometer. It works on the principle of Archimedes' law and shows the density of a liquid.

If its level is insufficient, the solution is diluted with acid, and if it is necessary to reduce the density, distilled water is added.

The electrolyte solution ensures the operation of the battery and also determines its performance. With the right approach, this fluid must be periodically tested, topped up, or replaced completely.

The operation of the battery is largely influenced by the ambient temperature, so in particularly severe frosts it is worth keeping the battery warm.

What electrolyte to fill into the battery in winter, as well as other nuances of the preparation and use of this conductor are discussed in our information.

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Source: http://jrepair.ru/interesnoe-na-jrepair-ru/teh-zhidkosti/elektrolit-dlya-avtomobilnykh-akkumulyatorov

How to prepare electrolyte for a battery?

Automotive lead-acid starter batteries are filled with electrolyte, which is a solution of sulfuric acid H2SO4, with a density of 1.83 g/cm3.

The quality of the battery and its service life directly depend on the quality of the electrolyte, that is, on its density and purity of the components used. When preparing the electrolyte, use only distilled water and pure battery sulfuric acid.

Even the smallest impurities in the electrolyte will negatively affect the performance of the battery and shorten its service life.

As you know, car batteries go on sale dry-charged, that is, without electrolyte, or already filled with electrolyte at the factory and ready for use. The main advantage of dry-charged batteries is that they can be stored for a long time, and after refilling such a battery will not lose its qualities.

In turn, batteries filled with electrolyte can be stored for less time, but such batteries are already ready for use, which is very convenient.

In addition, as a rule, in factories where batteries are produced, high-quality electrolyte with the required density is used to fill batteries, which can be considered another advantage of such batteries.

Very often, people know how to select and buy a battery that is already ready for use, but sometimes, nevertheless, motorists have to independently prepare the electrolyte for refilling the battery, or for topping it up in the battery banks. For this purpose, you must first prepare the appropriate dishes.

All containers used for preparing electrolyte must be clean and acid-resistant; glass or plastic containers are best suited for this purpose.

First, distilled water is poured into the container, and then, very carefully, sulfuric acid is added to the water in a thin stream, while simultaneously stirring the solution with a glass rod or a rod made of other acid-resistant material. The acid should mix evenly with water throughout the entire volume.

The acid must be added in small portions, and the density of the solution must be periodically monitored by measuring it with a hydrometer. The addition of acid is stopped after the electrolyte reaches the required density.

Depending on the season of the year and the climate zone in which the battery will be used, the density of the electrolyte may differ. On average, it ranges from 1.21 to 1.31 g/cm3. In areas with low temperatures, the density of the electrolyte should be higher, and in areas where the temperature is higher, the density of the electrolyte should be lower.

For example, in areas where the winter temperature does not drop below -30 degrees, the electrolyte density should be 1.25 g/cm3.

To obtain the electrolyte of the required density, it is convenient to use a table based on the calculation that the battery acid used has a density of 1.83 g/cm3.

So, to prepare an electrolyte with a density of 1.23 g/cm3, you need to add 280 g of acid per liter of distilled water, to prepare an electrolyte with a density of 1.25 g/cm3, respectively, 310 g of acid per liter of water, for an electrolyte with a density of 1.27 g/cm3 - 345 g of acid per liter of water, and for an electrolyte with a density of 1.29 g/cm3 - 385 g of acid per liter of water.

When working with acid, take precautions, use cotton work gloves with a rubberized base, and wear safety glasses.

Do not pour water into the acid , as this may cause the solution to splash as a result of a violent reaction.

If acid or electrolyte gets on the skin, carefully remove the acid or electrolyte from the body using previously prepared cotton wool, wash the area of skin with a 5% solution of regular baking soda, and then seek medical help.

Source: http://autosteam.ru/helpful-info/222-kak-prigotovit-elektrolit-dlya-akkumulyatora

Electrolyte for alkaline batteries

In silver-zinc alkaline batteries, solutions of caustic potassium with a density of 1.4 g/cm3 are used.

In conventional alkaline cadmium-nickel and iron-nickel batteries, either caustic potassium solutions or caustic soda solutions are used as an electrolyte, depending on the temperature conditions of their operation.

Depending on the temperature, the following electrolytes with a density, g/cm3 are used in conventional alkaline batteries:

At -25-.-- 40°C - caustic potassium solution 1.27;

At -15 N——- 25° C—caustic potassium solution 1.25;

At -15++35°C—caustic potassium solution 1.19-1.21 with additive

5 g/l lithium caustic; at 15 + 35 ° C - caustic solution 1.18-1.20 with additive

5 g/l lithium caustic; at 40+ 60″ C - a solution of caustic lithium 1.17–1.19 with the addition of 10–15 g/l of caustic lithium.

As can be seen from the above data, caustic potassium solutions are used in batteries operating at low temperatures, since they freeze at significantly lower temperatures than caustic soda solutions.

At higher temperatures, an electrolyte from a caustic soda solution is preferable, since the use of a caustic potassium solution at these temperatures leads to a reduction in battery life due to the enlargement of the structure of the active mass of the positive electrode.

The introduction of lithium hydroxide into the electrolyte of an alkaline battery increases the capacity and service life of the battery at normal temperatures and extends the operating interval towards higher temperatures.

This beneficial effect, however, is observed only at moderate concentrations of lithium caustic in the electrolyte, exceeding which, on the contrary, leads to a deterioration in the properties of the battery.

It has been established that at a high concentration of caustic lithium in the electrolyte, it can form an electrochemically inert compound LiNiC>2 with the mass of the positive electrode, which causes the electrode capacity to decrease.

To prepare electrolytes used in alkaline batteries, alkalis are used, the technical conditions for which are given in GOST 9285-69 (caustic potash); GOST 2263-71 (caustic soda); GOST 8595-57 (caustic lithium).

Electrolytes for alkaline batteries absorb carbon dioxide from the air during operation and turn into carbonates.

The presence of carbonates in the electrolyte in large quantities causes an increase in the specific resistance of the electrolyte and a decrease in the battery capacity.

It is also noticed that the negative electrodes stop accepting charge. The maximum permissible carbonate content is 50 g/l of electrolyte.

To reduce the rate of carbonate accumulation in the electrolyte, the latter should be isolated from air if possible.

For this purpose, batteries are equipped with valve plugs that allow gases to pass from inside the battery to the outside, but do not allow air into the battery. In addition, in some cases, a thin layer of petroleum jelly is poured onto the surface of the electrolyte.

Preparation of working electrolytes for filling alkaline batteries is carried out by diluting concentrated alkali solutions. For solutions of caustic potassium, use the data in Table. 34.

Preparation of electrolyte by diluting concentrated solutions of KOH

Density of the solution at 25° C, g/cm

Amount of water, ml, added per kilo of concentrated solution to obtain electrolyte with density, g/cm3

237.5 283,3 429,2 733

1006 1254 1430 1714 1917 2136 2255 2399

1.26 1,27 1,30 1,357 1,410 1,453 1,483 1,530 1,563 1,597 1,615 1,634

1217 1492 1686 1998 2222 2463 2594 2753

95,9 144,0 200,8 244,5 296,9 344,8 487,7 815 1102 1362 1546 1842 2055 2284 2409 2559

42,2 80,8 203,8 460 690 901 1050 1291 1463 1653 1750 1873

36,9 154,9 401 623 825 968 1199 1355 1544 1642 1760

113,8 352 565 761 899 1122 1282 1455 1549 1664

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