Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries of AGM design are widely used for backup power in stationary applications like telecoms, data centers, UPS, etc. Discharge is usually at constant power mode what requires highly porous and sustainable microstructures of the active materials and sufficient amounts of sulfuric acid. Recharge profiles can comprise constant current, floating, pulsed chare or boost charge. This is supposed to ensure long-time battery performance even at frequent power interruptions.
Unfortunately, AGM batteries under these conditions demonstrate shorter service time (or cycle life) as claimed by the manufacturer (design life). In many cases they can’t be sufficiently charged before the next discharge step or spend rather long time at open circuit. Undesired degradation processes in the batteries take place, as a result of which the capacity is reduced, and service life is shortened. Some of these processes are reversible (sulfation, electrolyte stratification, passivation) while others are not (water loss, heat evolution, corrosion, PAM shedding, etc.). Affected batteries need to be maintained more often than expected leading to increased operational costs, with some have to be sent to scrap and replaced.
In recent WaveTech developed innovative technologies, automated equipment for the rejuvenation of batteries has been realized to recovering their capacity and functionality. As a result, AGM batteries can live a lot longer than usually observed in real life conditions. Rejuvenated batteries can get a service life even closer to LFP batteries without the risk of fires, yielding long service life at lower costs.
Charging can be fine tuned based on battery condition. We can evaluate battery condition fast and precisely. The new equipment developed by WaveTech was successfully field tested by large UPS companies in various countries. On teardown analyses and material science studies performed at the Battery science and technology center of WaveTech in Sofia, Bulgaria, we estimated that the rate of recovery was over 85% for two to four years old twelve volt batteries. Additionally, the technologies developed by WaveTech reduce the rate of water loss, corrosion, and heat evolution. No changes in phase composition were observed.
This is a result of the special CCT charge pulse profile we use, and of the unique BARS recovery procedures we apply. Mobility of ions and rates of battery reactions are affected positively. The new technology and machines of WaveTech allow battery users and owners to extend the service life of their batteries by two to three years, postponing sending them to scrap.