Investigation of thermal phenomena in VRLA/AGM stationary lead/acid batteries with a thermal video imaging system

An infrared thermal video imaging system (Model TVS2000) has been used to follow the evolution of heat inVRLA/AGM cells and monoblocs. The system has the capability of resolving 0.05 °C temperature differences within such cells. Minutethermal inhomogeneities are easily detectable and allow the dynamics of the heat evolution to be followed during discharge and chargeprocesses. In large 1000 Ah VRLA/AGM cells, electrolyte movements are traceable with this method through the associated shifting of the site of theoxygen recombination reaction and the subsequent local evolution of heat. The areas of heat evolution match those with themost significant degree of local grid-growth.