Gel batteries

Gel batteries are a type of lead-acid battery (or lead-acid battery) characterized by the fact that the electrolyte in the battery is in the form of a gel instead of liquid acid. These batteries are often referred to as "gel electrolyte batteries." They work on a similar principle to traditional lead-acid batteries, but with several important differences.

Principle of operation of gel batteries:

Gel electrolyte: The main difference between gel batteries and traditional lead batteries is the electrolyte. In gel batteries, the electrolyte is in the form of a gel, which means that it is thicker and does not have a liquid consistency. This gel electrolyte contains acid and sulfur that enable the chemical reactions needed to store and release energy.

Anode and cathode: Gel batteries have two electrodes - the anode (negative) and the cathode (positive). These electrodes are usually made of lead plates for the anode and lead oxide for the cathode.

Charging and discharging: During charging, a supply voltage is applied externally to the battery, causing electrons to move from the cathode to the anode. This process stores electricity in the battery in the form of chemical changes in the lead electrodes and electrolyte.

Discharge: When the battery is discharged, the released energy is used to power an electrical device. Electrons move from the anode to the cathode, releasing stored energy.

Use of gel batteries:

Gel batteries have several advantages that make them useful for certain applications:

Low maintenance: They are relatively easy to maintain as the gel electrolyte is less prone to leakage and requires fewer checks.

No leakage: Due to their gel consistency, gel batteries are less prone to electrolyte leakage than traditional lead-acid batteries.

Long life: With proper care, gel batteries can have a long life.

Use in adverse conditions: They are resistant to vibration and have the ability to work in a wide range of temperatures, which makes them suitable for some industrial applications and backup power sources.

The main limitation of gel batteries is their lower energy density compared to some modern battery types such as lithium batteries. Therefore, they are most often used in applications where it is not critical to have very high performance and where their benefits in terms of maintenance and life are more important. Gel batteries are often used in backup power sources, in solar and wind systems, in boat and caravan batteries, and in some industrial applications.