NICKEL-CADMIUM

BATTERY
 INTRODUCTION
This section will present application, general characteristics,
electrochemical reaction, advantages and disadvantages of nickel-
cadmium batteries.

The nickel electrode and the alkaline system lagged the lead acid
development by 30 years. Edison's experiments in 1890 resulted in the
Nickel hydroxide positive electrode working in conjunction with an iron
negative electrode in an alkaline electrolyte to form the first rechargeable
alkaline system. A commercial nickel iron battery targeting the electric
car market was demonstrated in 1910. At the same time, Waldmar
Jungner, a Swedish inventor, developed the Nickel Cadmium pocket plate
battery. To support the need for a light weight, high energy battery for
their military effort of WWII, the Germans perfected a sintered plate,
flooded electrolyte nickel-cadmium battery that is essentially identical to
those used on today's jet military and commercial jet aircraft. European
experimenters designed the first recombinant nickel-cadmium battery in
the early 1950's that is the basis for today's nickel-cadmium industry.
 Definition
nickel-cadmium battery is
Secondary (Rechargeable)
Battery used to store
electrical energy.
The nickel-cadmium battery
is a remarkable device.
nickel-cadmium cell or
battery has a specific rated
capacity, discharge voltage,
and effective resistance.
They are true storage
batteries using one of the
very best electrochemical
systems.
 Electrochemical reaction
Chemical contents:
Anode: Cadmium (Cd)
Cathode: Hydrated nickel oxide (NiOOH)
Electrolyte: Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
Half-cell reactions:
Anode: Cd(s) + 2OH (aq) Cd(OH) (s) + 2e

Cathode: NiOOH(s) + H2O (l) +e Ni(OH)
(s) + OH(aq)
The overall discharge/charge reaction is
Cd + 2NiOOH + 2H2O Cd(OH) + 2Ni(OH)2
usually give 1.2V
 NiCd characteristics

Electrolyte
The electrolyte is alkaline a solution of
potassium hydroxide (KOH)
The electrolyte doesnt change during charge &
discharge it retains the ability to transfer ions
between cell plates
The specific gravity (nominal 1.20 g/cm3 at 20C)
remains the same regardless of the state of charge
Stratification does not occur
 NiCd characteristics
Plates structural
components are made of
steel
Positive active material:
Nickel hydroxide
Negative active material:
Cadmium hydroxide
Alkaline electrolyte
doesnt react with steel
- the plate integrity is
maintained throughout
the life of battery
 NiCd characteristics

Voltage
The open circuit voltage of the NiCd system is 1.2 to 1.3 V
(recognized nominal voltage is 1.2 V)
Requires more cells than lead acid batteries
Ex) 92 cells needed for substation battery string floating at
133V Float current
Typical float current for pocket type NiCd cells is 100mA /
100 Ahr
Factors to consider when determining # of cells / string
Min/Max string voltages the system can handle
Must consider the float charge voltages
 Thermal characteristics

The reversible heat effect:

During discharge, the heat is
generated about 10.5 % of the
discharged energy

During the charging process, the

reversible heat effect causes cooling
 Thermal characteristics

Charge acceptance
Charge acceptance is significantly reduced at
elevated temperatures, for example at the end of
discharge, or after electrolyte filling at commissioning
Thus, it is necessary or recommended that batteries
are allowed to cool before recharging (specially
important for capacity witness testing)
Low temperatures also affect charging compensate
by raising the float voltage
 Main advantages of NiCd
Very good high power rating
Reduced loss of capacity at low temperature
No freezing at temperatures below 32F (0C)
Robust against deep discharges
Long shelf life
No passivation in case of prolonged storage in
partial discharge conditions
Robust against abusive environment & optimized
for harsh operating conditions
No electrolyte stratification
 Main disadvantages of NiCd
Contains cadmium
Cost
More cells needed to reach operating
voltage
Possible memory effect
High self discharge
 Applications
Portable Tooth brushes
communications Calculators
equipment
Cassette players and
Portable hand tools
recorders
and appliances
Portable computers Dictating machines
Radios Digital Cameras
Radio control models Instruments
Shavers Personal Pagers
Tape recorders Photoflash
Television sets equipment
 Summary

NiCd batteries have many

applications.
NiCd batteries have unique operating
characteristics.
NiCd batteries have distinct
advantages and disadvantages.
NiCd different characteristics.
CHEMICAL FOREVER!!!