Cambridge EnerTech’s
Chemistry & Materials for Lead-Based Batteries
Lead-Based Batteries for Next Generation Commercial Applications
13-14 January 2020
By 2025, it is expected that the global lead-acid battery market will reach $84.46 billion. A significant spike in technological advancements have created smaller, lightweight and long-lasting lead-based batteries that are critical to the development
of the next generation of commercial applications. Using new composite materials and innovative design approaches, researchers are developing high specific energy batteries with long cycle life and low cost. In addition, creative improvements in the
use of standard raw materials for lead-acid has led to a dramatic increase in the performance of these batteries. This symposium will provide an in-depth international overview of the industry including the latest trends, competitive analysis, and
examination of the key players and their strategies for market growth.
Final Agenda
Monday, 13 January
8:00 Symposium Registration & Morning Coffee
Terrassen - Saal D
9:30 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
Neil Hawkes, Commodity Analyst, Lead, CRU
9:35 Battery Micro-Cycling in Start/Stop Operation: Oxygen Intermediate Storage Acting as a Charge Buffer
Eberhard Meissner, PhD, Formerly Senior Technical Leader, Electrochemistry, Clarios
When a battery is operated in dynamic duty, e.g. Start/Stop Operation, parasitical gas evolution at positive and negative electrodes do not occur simultaneously. Intermediate storage of oxygen in the cell is of great help to reduce parasitical water decomposition,
as oxygen is reduced at the negative electrode at any time of operation. This effect applies to both valve-regulated and flooded battery designs and is extending period of battery usability.
9:55 Depth Profiling Lead Battery Electrodes during Formation and Cycling
Tim Fister, PhD, Materials Scientist, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory
Maintaining a uniform state of charge (SOC) through a cell is necessary to maximize active material utilization and prolong the lifetime of a lead acid battery. Chemical gradients, however, can arise under high current densities due to variation in acid
concentration and non-uniform current distribution. We will present results taken during formation and cycling with variable acid concentration. These results complement prior tear-down studies, while providing new insights that could aid continuum
modeling connecting the health of the battery with its average electrochemical response.
10:15 Limiting Acid Stratification in EFBs during Start/Stop Operation – Can the Battery Separator Play a Role?
George Brilmyer, PhD, Manager, R&D, Microporous, LLC
Through a number of improvements over standard flooded batteries such as compression and modified expander packages, the EFB is designed to better handle partial state of charge operation. Nonetheless, relative to its more expensive cousin, AGM, it still
has its limitations. One of these limitations is what is termed “acid stratification”, the problematic formation of layers of differing acid concentration in the cell as a result of constant undercharging. This presentation will describe
efforts to utilize the battery separator to mitigate this phenomenon through the novel use of scrims and rib designs.
10:35 Networking Coffee Break
11:05 Pb-Acid Separators: The Impact of Raw Material Selection on Structure-Property Relationships
Richard W. Pekala, PhD, CTO, Entek
In this paper, we examine the impact of silica properties (oil absorption, surface area, friability), and SiO2/PE ratio on electrical, mechanical, and oxidative properties of the resultant separators. We also investigate techniques to evaluate separator
homogeneity at both the macroscopic and microscopic scale. Finally, we address the implications of our findings for SLI and EFB batteries.
11:25 The UltraBattery for Low Voltage Hybrids by New Positive Plate
Atsushi Satou, Research Engineer, R&D, The Furukawa Battery Co., Ltd. Japan
The 12-V flooded type UltraBattery, a combined lead-acid and supercapacitor hybrid energy storage device, has excellent high-rate partial state of charge durability, excellent dynamic charge acceptability, and lower water loss. In this presentation, new
positive plate for the 12-V flooded type UltraBattery and measures for improving the positive grid durability will be discussed.
11:45 NEW: Advancing Dynamic Charge Acceptance (DCA)
Sachin Kumar, PhD, Lead Scientist, Battery Technology, Hollingsworth & Vose
12:05 Q&A
12:30 Networking Lunch
13:55 Chairperson’s Remarks
Richard W. Pekala, PhD, CTO, Entek
14:00 Present Status and Future Development Trends of the Lead-Acid Batteries – Market, Applications & Chinese Situation in 2019
Mark Lu, Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center and Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan
World lead-acid battery market was 46.92 billion USD, less than 1% growth rate in 2018. Although LABs are still among the biggest sellers in the rechargeable battery market, the future threat exists from the application demand change and replacement from
other battery technology like LIB. Therefore, it is necessary to continue monitoring LABs’ relevance in the market and the future development on related technologies. 2019 market of lead-acid batteries worldwide: shipment, scope and future growth
analysis. The current market and applications’ status in Chinese LABs industry in 2019 will be presented.
14:20 Global Lead Market Challenges and Opportunities in the 2020s
Neil
Hawkes, Commodity Analyst, Lead, CRU
The fortunes of the lead battery sector, under threat from the rise of lithium batteries, will be the key factor that determines the lead price path in this new decade. Can lead batteries respond to the threat and defend or even grow its share in some
energy storage applications? In addition to the demand path ahead, the response of production, both in mining and recycling, will be crucial in determining whether lead prices are looking up or down as we move into a new decade of both challenges
and opportunities for lead.
14:40 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
15:00 Q&A
15:15 Refreshment Break
15:50 Chairperson’s Remarks
Christian Rosenkranz, PhD, Vice President Engineering & Product Development EMEA, Clarios
15:55 PANEL DISCUSSION: Automotive Lead-Acid: Advanced Research & Material Development to Meet Future Automotive Requirements
Moderator: Christian Rosenkranz, PhD, Vice President Engineering & Product Development EMEA, Clarios
Panelists:
Mikaël Cugnet, PhD, Battery Expert, CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission)
Tim Fister, PhD, Materials Scientist, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory
Ola Hekselman, PhD, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Materials, Imperial College, London
The proliferation of electric vehicles and the electrification of the power train changes the role of 12V Pb acid batteries. This panel will examine how advanced research methods as well as material development can help to further improve the critical
characteristics of the next generation 12V batteries.
17:10 Grand Opening Welcome Reception with Poster Viewing
18:15 Dinner Tutorial Check-In*
18:30 Dinner Tutorials 4-7
20:30 Close of Day
Tuesday, 14 January
7:30 Symposium Registration & Morning Coffee
Terrassen - Saal D
8:30 Chairperson’s Opening Remarks
George Brilmyer, PhD, Manager, R&D, Microporous, LLC
8:35 CBI Technical Overview: Innovation Roadmap and 2019 Technical Program
Matthew Raiford, PhD, Manager, Consortium for Battery Innovation
The newly formed Consortium of Battery Innovation (CBI) has developed an expansive technical program and innovation roadmap for lead acid battery technology. CBI (formerly the Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium) focuses primarily on research and innovation
for lead acid batteries, but also works on marketing, communications, and new tests and standards for the technology. A technical program of research projects will be presented to demonstrate opportunities for new understanding and enhancements of
lead battery technology. CBI aims to lift lead battery technology performance to a higher level, driving sustainable energy storage improvement.
8:55 ArcActive EFB Technology
Bernd Engwicht, Director Automotive Battery Application Engineering, East Penn Manufacturing Co.
Micro hybrid vehicles deliver a modest decrease in CO2 emissions but offer large potential for market penetration due to low cost. In order to increase the impact these vehicles have in reducing global emissions, the benefits of increased battery usage
should be consistent throughout the life of the vehicle. To achieve that goal, the battery must dependably handle large regen currents. Using techniques to test the battery when new and when aged, we will demonstrate the advantage of this technology
in terms of CO2 emissions. A novel grid and pasting technology, teamed with the optimal battery design, make this performance viable.
9:15 A High-Power VRLA Battery for 48V Systems
Michael Gilchrist, Co-Founder, HighWater Innovations, LLC
This presentation will discuss a high-power low aspect ratio VRLA battery option for this application. With specific power 3 times that of conventional VRLA (1,050 W/kg 10 sec pulse power), this innovative battery design not only has the inherent recyclability/safety
of Pb with multiple fitment options, but also offers the OEM a viable lower cost option for their advanced vehicles.
9:35 Dependencies of the Dynamic Charge Acceptance
Juergen Garche, PhD, CEO, FCBAT
Stop/start operations of cars is a relatively cheap way to reduce the fuel consumption and so also the CO2 emissions – about 10-40 €/% CO2. A prerequisite for that, however, is as complete as possible absorption of the break energy (which is
dynamic and not constant) by the LAB. The dynamic charge acceptance mainly determined by the negative electrode is influenced by cell design and materials but also by operating parameters, e.g. T, SOC, charge/discharge history, and rest time.
9:55 Q&A
10:10 Coffee Break with Exhibit & Poster Viewing
11:00 Chairperson’s Remarks
George Brilmyer, PhD, Manager, R&D, Microporous, LLC
11:05 An Update on ArcActive Battery Performance
Stuart McKenzie, CEO and Managing Director, ArcActive
Having a battery that achieves high Dynamic Charge Acceptance and while at the same time low Water Consumption is the key technical challenge facing the lead battery industry. This presentation will provide a brief overview on ArcActive’s DCA
and Water Consumption performance, as well as new test results exploring other performance criteria, as the ArcActive technology progresses towards market entry.
11:25 Understanding the Charge Acceptance of Thin-Plate Positive Electrode Using a Titanium Microgrid® Current Collector
Mikaël Cugnet, PhD, Battery Expert, CEA (French Atomic Energy Commission)
A physics-based model is developed to study the impact of the positive electrode design on its charge acceptance. The design of experiments includes two titanium MicroGrids® from DEXMET with different thicknesses, and one pure titanium foil that
is thicker, combined with different thicknesses of lead-dioxide active material.
11:45 Correlation of Dynamic Charge Acceptance and Impedance Spectroscopy
Sophia Bauknecht, Department of Electrical Energy Storage Technology, Technische Universität Berlin
This talk will outline the correlation between DCA and impedance spectroscopy of lead battery cells with and without additive enhanced negative plates. Thus, several cells are tested and compared concerning their DCA and impedance spectra with reference
electrodes before and after run-in. The test results are used to locate and identify the processes affecting the DCA within the spectra, this can be used for generating an equivalent circuit model of the negative half cell as a prediction tool
for DCA.
12:05 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
12:25 Q&A
12:40 Networking Lunch
13:55 Dessert Break with Exhibit & Poster Viewing
14:40 Chairperson’s Remarks
Matthew Raiford, PhD, Manager, Consortium for Battery Innovation
14:45 NEW: PANEL DISCUSSION: How Innovation Can Support Advanced Lead Batteries in New BESS and Industrial Applications
Moderator: Matthew Raiford, PhD, Manager, Consortium for Battery Innovation
Panelists: Tim Ellis, PhD, President, RSR Technologies
Herbert Geiss, PhD, Consulting Director, Pyramid Vision Consulting
Bernhard Riegel, PhD, Director of Research, Hoppecke Batterien GmbH & Co. KG
The growing ESS and industrial battery market is facilitated by the societal need for greater electrification and hybridization of the energy grid. Lead batteries are a key technology in this sector and offer many advantages based on sustainability
and cost. This panel will discuss the areas of research and challenges for lead batteries in this market and what are important characteristics to improve for lead batteries in these markets.
15:25 Challenges in the Development for Long-Life High-Power Lead Acid Batteries
Bernhard Riegel, PhD, Director of Research, Hoppecke Batterien GmbH & Co. KG
The standard layouts of lead acid batteries involve traditionally the compromising of high power with cycle life performance at high DoDs. In our presentation we discuss the main requirements to achieve high power capability, large numbers of capacity
turnovers (CTO) and the effect of the conflictive material properties involved. In the last years, a great progress for industrial battery applications (material handling, UPS and utilities) was achieved to overcome these limitations. This was
made possible by the introduction of new manufacturing technologies, processing and the implementation of novel materials (alloys, additives, separators).
15:45 The Effect of Carbon Additives on the Short-Term and Long-Term Dynamic Charge Acceptance
Jochen Settelein, PhD, Expert Group Manager Lead-Acid Technology, Fraunhofer R&D Center Electromobility, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC
In this presentation, a comparison between the static charge acceptance, the dynamic charge acceptance after EN standard and the long-term DCA after battery run-in is given. Results from flooded 2 V laboratory test cells are presented which include
a series of different carbon additives in the negative electrodes. A link between electrochemical properties of the negative active material and the dynamic charge acceptance is provided.
16:05 Q&A
16:25 Networking Reception with Exhibit & Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)
17:25 Dinner Tutorial Check-In*
18:00 Dinner Tutorials 8-11
20:00 Close of Day