From powering home gadgets to storing heavy industrial equipment, batteries are a necessity. It is the powerhouse of all sorts of equipment in industrial facilities, providing it with reliable, wireless power. For industrial and commercial applications, there are batteries available in different types, sizes, and configurations. This article will specifically delve deep into the commercial and industrial batteries in use in India.
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ToggleWhat are Commercial Batteries?
Commercial batteries are also known as household batteries, which are more likely to be known to the common man. They find uses in a wide range of household appliances, such as torches, clocks, cameras, and remote controls. These batteries can be further classified into two subcategories:
Commercial batteries, also known as household batteries, are the ones we use in our daily lives, like torches, clock cells, camera cells, and remote batteries. These are further categorised into,
- Rechargeable batteries include Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries and Lithium-ion Batteries.
- Non-rechargeable batteries include Silver Oxide, Alkaline & Carbon Zinc.
Batteries for Industrial Applications
Industrial batteries are designed to provide a significant flow of current that withstands intense and continuous vibration and surface temperature and remains relatively safe for their handlers. These batteries are used in a wide range of industries, including mining, oil & gas, renewable energy, IT & telecommunications, health, and defence.
Industrial batteries are used in a variety of applications, such as,
- AC and DC uninterruptible power supplies
- Containers
- Renewable microgrids
- Electric vehicles
- Industrial facilities that require special attention
Different Types of Commercial and Industrial Batteries
Different battery types, be they commercial or industrial, each have its own benefits and features that should be taken into consideration. Following are the 4 basic batteries in commercial and industrial sectors in India.
Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used batteries across tiles of the aisle of manufacturing. From aircraft to electronic devices, satellites to industrial forklifts, electric vehicles and just anything that uses lithium-ion batteries.
The primary benefits include,
- Longer lifespan than lead acid batteries
- High rate of discharge at 80%
- Charge at a rapid pace
- Lightweight and low maintenance
- Suitable for modern fuel gauge applications
Other disadvantages include:
- Most cells include a protection circuit, as they are fragile
- A fire risk if treated improperly
- A relatively expensive manufacturing cost
Lead Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries are large and mainly used in large equipment such as industrial forklifts. They are the cheapest option for large batteries – a factor that contributed to their popularity among entrepreneurs who wanted to save on equipment operation.
The following are the advantages of the lead acid battery:
- Mature technology, which is reliable for many energy projects
- Inexpensive and highly recyclable compared to newer battery types
The following are the disadvantages of the lead-acid battery:
- Large size and low cycle life
- Depth of discharge is limited
- Performance decreases above 20°C
- Environmental concern because of the lead
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries offer higher capacities compared to Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries, have even higher power and energy density, and have a much longer life cycle than lead-acid batteries.
The following are the advantages associated with NiMH batteries:
- 30% more capacity compared to a standard NiCd
- Less susceptible to the memory effect
- Infrequently need exercise cycles to be executed
- Fewer toxic metals pose minimal environmental concern
The following are the disadvantages of the NiMH battery:
- Only good for a limited number of cycles – 500 charge/discharge cycles
- Require complex charging algorithms
- Increased self-discharge compared to NiCd
Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries
The nickel-cadmium battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium as electrodes.
High discharge and long cycle life (up to 500 charging cycles) are the key advantages of NiCd batteries. The drawback of these batteries are,
- They are not eco-friendly due to their cadmium content
- Sensitive to the charging memory effect
- Energy storage capacity is limited in comparison with other battery systems.
Applications of Batteries
During a power outage, batteries offer a critical means of backup power. At home, the batteries are linked to various electrical appliances that will still operate despite a power failure. Customers can use batteries to master their energy usage and save energy costs.
Here are the applications of batteries in different sectors.
Battery Uses in Home
Batteries are used in everything we have at home, such as remote control, torch, mobile, hand videogame, digital cameras, laptops, and all gadgets. Various batteries are used depending on the device’s flow system.
Battery Uses in Health Instruments
Various health instruments are based on batteries, like artificial wood arms and legs, insulin pumps, hearing aids, and valve assistance. An advancement in battery use in health is Mercury batteries, which are useful for a photographic camera light meter and electronic devices, such as real-time clocks in your appliances.
Battery Uses in the Medical Sector
Rechargeable batteries like Li-ion and NiCd batteries are used in hospitals for all equipment. For example, a battery is connected to the ECG heart monitor for portability and continuous operation.
Battery Uses in Logistics and Construction
Batteries are used in logistics and construction, mostly for powering equipment like forklifts. Batteries are undoubtedly preferred over combustion engines in small areas because exhaust fumes and carbon monoxide can be life-threatening.
Batteries Uses in Military Operations
Batteries offering high energy and power density are frequently used in military operations. Radios, infrared goggles, and a variety of field devices are powered by these batteries. In addition, lithium batteries offer a much longer life to devices, while silver oxide batteries are used in missiles and submarines.
From the cutting-edge sphere of lithium batteries for electric vehicles to the tried-and-tested lead-acid batteries in machinery, there is a diverse range of batteries in India that promotes progress and sustainability. As industries change and renewable energy is integrated more, batteries will play a more significant role.