Research on characteristics of hydrogen in typical vessel lead-acid battery cabin

  Objectives  To realize the online identification of hydrogen evolution characteristics and the quantitative design of the hydrogen control system for the lead-acid battery rooms of ships, a hydrogen concentration identification method based on the lumped model is proposed which comprehensively considers key parameters such as the hydrogen evolution rate of the battery and the ventilation & purification air volume and leakage air volume of the battery room.

  Methods  According to the environmental characteristics of the battery room, a mathematical model of the hydrogen concentration characteristics and hydrogen evolution rate prediction of the battery is established, and a corresponding calculation program is developed to analyze the hydrogen concentration variation characteristics of the battery room under different hydrogen evolution rates and ventilation & purification air volumes.

  Results  The various characteristics of the hydrogen concentration in the battery room are affected by the hydrogen evolution rate of the battery and the ventilation & purification air volume and leakage air volume of the battery room. When the hydrogen evolution rate is low (such as with a new battery), the leakage air volume will significantly affect the concentration rise rate. The daily operation frequency of the hydrogen purification system can reflect the actual hydrogen evolution rate of the battery and guide battery life evaluation.

  Conclusions  The hydrogen evolution rate of the battery is correlated with several parameters. The proposed prediction model can accurately predict the hydrogen evolution rate of the battery and guide system design and operation strategy optimization. The related ideas and methods can also be extended to other cabin components similar to the hydrogen control system.