TUBULAR BATTERY

•Though we have generators but still battery has very

important role in our life.

• Especially
in automotives, power backups, phone
tower cells and nuclear submarines.
 What is Tubular Battery

 Kind of Lead-Acid battery (rechargeable).

 Uses the technology that seals the active material in

polyester tubes, instead of pasting it on surface.

 Active materials are lead oxide and red lead powder.

Main Components of Tubular Battery
 Electrolyte
Mixture of water and sulfuric acid.
 Plates
Grid like structure to maximize surface area without
greatly increasing the space.

-ve electrodes are made up of

plate type.
flat plate 
 Tubular i

fiber glass tube ,filled with lead oxide

and red lead powder.
+ve electrodes are made up of
tubular type.
 Separator
keeps the +ve and –ve plate separate from one another.
protect from internal short circuit.
e.g. Rubber, Glass fiber mat, PVC.
 Working
 Discharging
at –ve electrode
Pb+SO42-  PbSO4+2e-
at +ve electrode
PbO2+SO42-+4H-+2e-  PbSO4 +2H2O
 Free e- from –ve electrode move towards the +ve electrode
via external circuit forming PbSO4
at each electrode.
 f
 Charging
at –ve electrode
PbSO4 + 2e-  Pb + SO42-
at +ve electrode
PbSO4 + 2H2O  PbO2 + SO42- + 4H-+ 2e-

 During charging , the electrolyte heats up and some of

the water evaporates.
 Overcharging at higher voltage results into electrolysis of
water forming hydrogen and oxygen gases.
 Electrolysis of water lowers the level of electrolyte over
time.

 If the electrolyte level is too low, the plates in the

battery cells are exposed and will suffer damage.

 Distilled water is topped up in regular interval and i.e.

tubular battery falls in category of “flooded battery”.
 Effect of increased surface area
 Increased surface area ( +ve electrode) in contact with
electrolyte results higher charge and discharge current
than a flat type cell of the same volume.
 Increased +ve plate surface area, tubular batteries have
20% more electrical capacity than flat plate .
 Tubular electrodes are also more complicated to
manufacture uniformly, which makes them more
expensive than flat plate cells.
 High current capacity makes tubular battery to be used
for starting marine diesel engine.
 Advantage of tubular battery over flat
type battery
TUBULAR
 Life 4 to 5 years.
 Low water loss.
 Cyclic life is high.
 Fast charging battery.
 Operate consistent even
at high temperature.
 Suitable for heavy
applications.
FLAT PLATE
 Maximum 3 years.
 Need frequent water
topping up.
 Low cyclic life.
 Charges slowly.
 Useful only at
recommended
temperature.
 Not suitable.
THANK YOU