Lead Acid vs Lithium Batteries for Energy Storage uses Comparison

Lead-acid and Lithium-ion batteries. 

Lead Acid vs Lithium Ion Batteries

Lead-acid and Lithium-ion based batteries types of batteries serve as power storage devices with distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on the application. Each battery has features and benefits that make it stand out from its competitors. This article will show a detailed comparison of lead acid vs lithium ion. These batteries are most popular nowadays, and the replacement of lead-acid batteries by best lithium batteries has become an irreversible trend. We'll provides you a comparative analysis of lead acid vs lithium ion, from which you will get in-detail information regarding working principle, cost, cycle life, etc., for each battery. I believe that you will choose the best battery for your application based on their characteristics after reading this article.

Which is better lithium ion or lead acid?

Through the detailed comparison of lead acid vs lithium ion, you will find that lithium battery will be your better choice.

CHEMISTRY AND COMPONENTS LEAD-ACID BATTERIES

The lead-acid battery comprises a set of electrochemical cells, each consisting of a lead (Pb) anode, a lead dioxide (PbO2) cathode, and a sulfuric acid (H2SO4) electrolyte solution. The electrochemical reactions within the cells involve the conversion of lead and lead dioxide to lead sulfate (PbSO4) upon discharging, and the reverse process during charging.

CHEMISTRY AND COMPONENTS LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

In contrast, lithium-ion batteries consist of an anode typically made of graphite, a cathode made of lithium metal oxide (such as LiCoO2, LiFePO4, or LiNiMnCoO2), and an electrolyte composed of lithium salts dissolved in a solvent (usually a mixture of organic carbonates). The fundamental electrochemical process in these batteries involves the reversible intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions between the anode and cathode materials.

ENERGY DENSITY AND SPECIFIC ENERGY:

Lead-acid batteries have a lower energy density (30-50 Wh/kg) and specific energy (20-50 Wh/L) compared to lithium-ion batteries (150-200 Wh/kg and 250-670 Wh/L, respectively). This implies that lithium-ion batteries can store more energy per unit of weight and volume, making them more suitable for portable and lightweight applications.

ADVANTAGES OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

• Lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, about 460-600Wh/kg, so in the case of the same battery capacity, lithium-ion batteries will be smaller and lighter than other batteries;

• The low self-discharge rate is another benefit of lithium-ion batteries. Its self-discharge rate is as low as 3.5% per month;

• Rapid rechargeability is the one that makes lithium-ion batteries stand out from other rechargeable batteries;

• These batteries are maintenance-free, theydo not require special maintenance work, so it saves the cost of maintenance, which makes them more cost-effective;

• Compared with other batteries, lithium-ion batteries have a larger capacity and higher operating voltage. For example, the voltage of the ternary lithium battery is 3.7v, which is three times that of the nickel-cadmium battery and the nickel-metal hydride battery;

• Lithium-ion batteries have strong charge retention capabilities, and the operating temperature range is wider than other batteries, and can work normally with high efficiency between -20-60 °C.

DISADVANTAGES OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

While lithium-ion batteries offer several advantages over lead-acid batteries, they also have some disadvantages:

1. Cost: Lithium-ion batteries are generally more expensive to manufacture and purchase due to the higher costs of raw materials, such as lithium and cobalt, and the more complex manufacturing processes involved. This may make them less attractive for certain applications, particularly when budget constraints are a significant factor.
2. Safety concerns: Lithium-ion batteries can pose safety risks if not properly managed. Thermal runaway, a process where a rise in temperature causes a further increase in temperature, can occur due to short-circuiting, overcharging, or physical damage. This may result in fires or explosions. Therefore, strict safety measures and protection circuits are required to prevent such incidents.
3. Sensitivity to high temperatures: Lithium-ion batteries are more sensitive to high temperatures compared to lead-acid batteries. Exposure to elevated temperatures can result in accelerated capacity loss, reduced cycle life, and potential safety hazards.
4. Aging and capacity loss: Lithium-ion batteries exhibit capacity loss over time, even when not in use. This aging effect is influenced by various factors, such as temperature, state of charge, and cycling patterns. Although lead-acid batteries also experience aging, the rate of capacity loss in lithium-ion batteries can be higher.
5. Recycling and environmental concerns: While recycling technologies for lithium-ion batteries are continuously improving, their recycling rate remains relatively low compared to lead-acid batteries. This is due to the complex chemistries involved and the lack of established recycling infrastructure for lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, the extraction of raw materials, such as lithium and cobalt, can have significant environmental and social impacts.

WHICH BATTERY LASTS LONGER LEAD-ACID OR LITHIUM-ION? WHY?

In terms of cycle life and overall service life, lithium-ion batteries generally last longer than lead-acid batteries. The reasons for this difference can be attributed to several factors:

• Depth of Discharge (DoD): Lead-acid batteries have a limited depth of discharge, typically around 50%, to maintain a reasonable cycle life. Discharging them beyond this point can result in a significant reduction in the number of charge-discharge cycles. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, can be discharged to a much greater extent (up to 80-90% DoD) without compromising their cycle life.
• Cycle life: Lithium-ion batteries usually have a higher cycle life compared to lead-acid batteries. A lithium-ion battery can offer between 1,000 to 5,000 cycles, depending on the specific chemistry and use conditions. In contrast, a typical lead-acid battery may provide 300 to 1,000 cycles, depending on the battery type (flooded, AGM, or gel) and the depth of discharge.
• Self-discharge: Lead-acid batteries tend to have a higher self-discharge rate, meaning they lose charge even when not in use. This can contribute to a reduced service life, particularly in situations where the battery is not maintained at an optimal state of charge. Lithium-ion batteries have a much lower self-discharge rate, typically less than 5% per month, which enables them to maintain their charge for longer periods.
• Resistance to sulfation: One of the primary causes of capacity loss and reduced service life in lead-acid batteries is sulfation, a process where lead sulfate crystals form on the electrodes and hinder the electrochemical reactions.

How are lead acid batteries classified?

• Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries

• Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries

• Advanced AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)

• Flooded cell lead acid batteries:

• Sealed Lead Acid Batteries:

• Advanced AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)

What is lead-acid used for?

• You can use it on electrical devices like; electric wheelchairs, electric cars, motorcycles, electric scooters, and electric bicycles.

• Marine applications include electrical propulsion systems, hybrid marine power, and emergency power backup.

• You can also use it to supply backup energy to smaller computer systems and emergency alarms.

 Do lead acid batteries leak? What causes lead acid batteries to leak?

• Poor sealing of battery container and upper cover;

• Aging of the sealant leads to cracks in the seal;

• Poor functioning of safety valves. This is due to excess electrolytes, leading to excessive internal pressure. It causes the frequent opening and closing of the safety valve resulting in leakage;

• The battery is seriously overcharged, different types of batteries are mixed, and the battery gas recombination efficiency is poor;

• Poor installation of battery terminals will also cause leakage of acid electrolyte in the surrounding terminals;

• Visible cracks in battery container or broken battery casing.

What are the pros and cons of using lead acid batteries?

• Pros of lead acid battery:

1. Lead-acid batteries are relatively inexpensive as their raw materials are readily available lead and lead compounds. But because of this, lead-acid batteries have serious pollution to the environment. In addition, although their initial cost is relatively low, the overall cost of lead-acid batteries is higher than that of Li-ion batteries in the long run due to the shorter lifespan and regular maintenance required;
2. The lead-acid battery has good temperature performance and can work in the environment of minus 40 to 60 °C. However, When comparing lead acid vs lithium ion, the former is still slightly inferior. Li-ion batteries have a wider operating temperature range, and they can operate with high efficiency in temperatures ranging from -20 to 60 °C;
3. Lead-acid batteries have high recycling value, because the plate components are lead-based alloys, most of which are lead or some lead oxides. However, waste lithium-ion batteries have stronger recycling value because their anodes, cathodes, separators, electrolytes and other materials contain a lot of precious metals.

• Cons of lead acid battery:

• Lead is usually heavier than alternative elements, which makes the lead batteries at a disadvantage in the weight comparison of lead acid vs lithium ion;

• In the comparison of lead acid vs lithium ion in terms of energy density, lead acid batteries have lower energy density;

• It is not environmentally friendly, and the leakage of lead-acid battery will cause corrosion of battery terminals and even the risk of thermal runaway;

• Has slow charging rate, i.e., minimum of 13 to 14 hours;

• Lead-acid batteries have a short service life and can only be used for a maximum of 1-1.5 years;

• Requires frequent routine maintenance.

What is a lithium ion battery?
What can I use a lithium battery for?

• You can use these batteries in toys, handheld power tools, electric vehicles, electronics, electrical energy storage systems, and big or small appliances.

• Other uses include stairlifts, portable power packs, alarm systems, and solar power storage systems.

• Lithium batteries are also popular in the marine industry and UPS sector.

How do I charge a lithium battery?

• First of all, check the battery level or percentage remaining. It is generally best to charge the lithium battery when there is one-third of the remaining charge. Since lithium batteries have no memory effect, they can be recharged when needed. Charging starts when the remaining power of the lithium battery is 30%-40%, which can prolong its service life;

• Make sure to switch off your device while connecting to a charger. This is ideal because it leads to effective charging. However, you can keep your device in usage, as it does not adversely affect the battery performance.

• Now, connect the charger to the particular device you want to charge. After that, connect the charger to a power outlet.

• Remove the charger from the power outlet when your device charges around 80%, because for rechargeable batteries, shallow charging and shallow discharging can prolong the cycle life of the battery. It's best not to charge it to 100%, and keenly observe your device while charging. Sometimes It results in overcharge, which also affects battery life.

How do lithium-ion and lead acid batteries work?

• Lithium-ion battery working

When you start using your Li-ion battery, it works: the ions having a positive charge move towards the cathode from the anode. This leads to the deposition of positive charges on the cathode. As a result, it pulls electrons having a negative charge. The separator within the battery contains electrolytes which result in catalyst formation. Its role is to carry out the rapid movement of ions in the electrolyte. This movement makes the electrons move and runs the device you need. During recharging, the process that the ions follow will be the same but takes opposite directions.

• Lead-acid battery working

During the discharge process, lead on the negative plate reacts with Sulphuric acid and lead ions. This process produces free electrons on the negative plate. The negative plate repels these electrons toward the external circuit, which powers your particular equipment or device. Hydrogen ions in sulphuric acid react with a Lead oxide that lies on a positive plate. It isolates oxygen from lead oxide and forms hydroxyl ions which then react with hydrogen for the formation of water. In the end, the lead ions collectively from the lead oxide plate and lead plate react with sulfate resulting from sulphuric acid. This will lead to the formation of lead sulfate. This movement, when reversed, contributes to the charging process.

How are lead acid batteries classified?

There are three main classes of Lead-acid batteries. These classes are:

• Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries
• Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries
• Advanced AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)

You can design anyone class mentioned above for either deep cycle or starting applications.

• Flooded cell lead acid batteries:

In this battery, the electrolyte can move freely within the battery casing. During charging, the lead and the acid in flooded cell lead acid batteries undergo a chemical reaction. This reaction leads to electricity storage. The direction of the mount in these batteries is upright to prevent electrolyte leakage from battery caps.

• Sealed Lead Acid Batteries:

The sealed lead acid battery is also known as a gel acid battery. The reason is the acid electrolyte is in thick or in coagulated form. So it does not spill out. Vents located in the battery case make it a partially sealed battery. The gases escape from the vents if you overcharge the battery.

• Advanced AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)

AGM is the modern type of lead-acid battery that uses sealed construction. In these batteries, you can use Boron silicate, also refer as saturated absorbent glass, as a mat between battery plates. Instead of using a liquid or gelled electrolyte in flooded or sealed lead-acid batteries.

What is the difference between lead acid and lithium ion?

Sr. No.	Parameters	Li-Ion Battery	Lead-acid Battery
1	Main material	Lithium iron phosphate/ ternary lithium	Lead acid
2	Cycle times	4,000 cycles	around 500 cycles
3	Weight	Lightweight	3x weight of Li battery
4	Environmental impact	Friendly	Harmful
5	Charging time	Fast	Slow
6	Cost	Lower average daily cost	Cheaper
7	BMS	Yes	No
8	Efficiency	High	Low
9	Shape	stand, wall mount, rack mount	stand
10	Charge/Discharge Temperature	0 ~ 45°C/-20~60 °C	0 ~45°C/-20~45 °C

Are lithium batteries safer than lead acid?

Solid state Lithium-ion batteries are safer compared to liquid lead acid batteries. They can withstand high-temperature applications. On the other hand, lead-acid batteries result in severe injury when handled inappropriately. During the charging process, they release gasses, including oxygen and hydrogen. These gasses are flammable and can lead to an explosion. Lead-acid batteries may leak, while solid-state lithium-ion batteries cannot leak. There is no doubt about the safety of Li-ion batteries when you compare lead acid vs lithium ion.

Can I replace a lead acid battery with lithium ion?

• When replacing lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion batteries, the most important thing is that the parameters of the lithium-ion battery should match the parameters of the equipment, such as the current, voltage, environment temperature, charging method and so on;

• General non-corresponding lithium-ion battery chargers cannot meet the charging requirements of lithium-ion batteries. If this kind of charger is used, the service life of the battery will be shortened. Therefore, a special charger for lithium-ion batteries should be used for charging;

• Figure out the voltage requirement of a particular device and then select a Li-ion battery accordingly;

• Keep in mind the right size you need in terms of Wh/kg;

• Lithium-ion batteries cannot be floating charged for a long time, they must be charged with constant current and constant voltage, otherwise the battery life will be affected;

• When comparing lead acid vs lithium ion, Li-ion batteries need slightly more voltage to charge fully.