LEAD
ACID BATTERIES – SCI & TECH
News:
Lead-acid batteries most
successful example of circular economy
What's
in the news?
●
Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Limited
is among the largest lead-acid battery manufacturers in India, clocking in a
revenue of over Rs 10,000 crore in FY23.
Lead Acid Battery:
●
A lead acid battery is a rechargeable battery that uses lead and sulphuric acid to function.
●
The lead is submerged into the sulphuric
acid to allow a controlled chemical
reaction.
●
This chemical reaction is what causes the
battery to produce electricity.
●
Then, this reaction is reversed to
recharge the battery.
●
The main benefit of the lithium-ion
technology is its far superior energy
density.
●
The lead-acid battery and its ecosystem is
the most successful example of a circular economy – 99 percent of a lead-acid
battery is recyclable and can be
brought back in as raw materials.
Difference
Between Lead Acid and Lithium-Ion Batteries:
|
Features |
Lead Acid
Battery |
Lithium Ion Battery |
|
Material Used |
In a
lead-acid battery, lead is used as the anode, and lead oxide is used as a
cathode.
Lead-acid
batteries use sulphuric acid as an electrolyte. |
In a
lithium-ion battery, carbon is used as the anode, and lithium oxide is used as
the cathode.
Li-ion
batteries use lithium salt as an electrolyte. |
|
Cost |
Lead-acid
batteries are cheaper and are easier to install when compared to Lithium-ion
batteries. |
The
price of a lithium-ion battery is two times higher than a lead-acid battery
with the same capacity. |
|
Cycle Life |
A
lead-acid battery lasts for 300 to 500 cycles. The complete discharge of the
battery significantly affects its life cycle. |
Usually,
lithium-ion batteries possess a cycle life of 5000, and complete discharge
does not affect the life cycle. |
|
Battery Capacity |
Lower
capacity |
Higher capacity |
|
Energy Density |
Low
specific energy density |
High specific
energy density |
|
Charging Time |
8 hours |
Less than two
hours |
|
Weight and Size |
Larger |
Smaller |