The key difference between lead acid and calcium batteries is that the lead acid battery has a lead electrode inside the battery whereas the lead calcium battery has calcium along with lead as the electrode inside the battery. Because of the use of lead-calcium alloy for the electrode in lead-calcium batteries, they have a low self-discharging effect and a longer service life than the lead-acid batteries.
Lead acid batteries are the oldest type of rechargeable batteries. Lead calcium batteries are a derivative of lead acid batteries. These batteries have calcium mixed with lead, which is helpful in using this battery at cold temperatures.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Lead Acid Batteries
3. What are Lead Calcium Batteries
4. Side by Side Comparison – Lead Acid vs Calcium Batteries in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What are Lead Acid Batteries?
Lead acid batteries are an older form of rechargeable batteries which has lead electrodes inside the battery. A French physicist named Gaston Planté first invented these batteries in 1859. These batteries have a high power-to-weight ratio (the power generated by a unit mass of the battery) but the energy-to-weight ratio (energy stored in a unit mass of the battery) and the energy-to-volume ratio (energy stored in a unit volume of the battery) are low. Its grid structure is also made from a lead alloy because pure lead is too soft and it cannot support itself.
Figure 01: A Lead Acid Car Battery
The lead alloy contains antimony, calcium, tin, and selenium. Addition of antimony can improve the deep cycling. But it also increases the water consumption as a drawback. When we use calcium, it reduces the self-discharging effect but the electrode plate will grow due to grid oxidation. Selenium is used as a doping agent. If we add selenium, we can reduce the amount of antimony or calcium required. However, lead acid batteries are heavy and less durable. Moreover, charging a lead acid battery is simple. But we should monitor the correct voltage limits. However, choosing a low voltage can cause poor performance.
What are Lead Calcium Batteries?
Lead calcium batteries are a form of lead acid batteries having an alloy of lead and calcium. These batteries have a longer service life and easy maintenance. Another importance is that these batteries works better in cold temperatures.
In addition, it reduces the overcharging gassing and water usage. The grid of the battery contains lead-calcium alloy. Using this alloy in batteries can reduce the self-discharging effect. But if the battery is overcharged, the grid may grow due to grid oxidation.
What is the Difference Between Lead Acid and Calcium Batteries?
Lead acid batteries are an older form of rechargeable batteries that have lead electrodes inside the battery. These batteries are made from lead alloys. The alloying agents can be antimony, calcium, tin, and selenium. Lead calcium batteries are a form of lead acid batteries that have an alloy of lead and calcium. These batteries are made from lead-calcium alloy. It increases the service life of the battery. This is the main difference between lead acid and calcium batteries.
Summary – Lead Acid vs Calcium Batteries
Lead acid batteries and lead calcium batteries are two forms of rechargeable batteries. Both these batteries consist of lead alloys. The difference between lead acid and calcium batteries is that lead acid battery has a lead electrode inside the battery whereas calcium battery has copper along with lead as the electrode inside the battery.
Reference:
1. “BU-201: How Does the Lead Acid Battery Work?” Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries – Battery University. Available here
2. “Lead–Acid Battery.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 June 2018. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’Photo-CarBattery’By No machine-readable author provided. (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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