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Lithium Ion Battery For Telecom Applications

The document discusses lithium-ion batteries and their use in telecommunications applications. It describes the construction and components of lithium-ion batteries, including cathode, anode, electrolyte, and battery management system. It outlines the chemical reactions that occur during charging and discharging, and lists advantages such as high energy density, long lifespan, and compact size. It also notes challenges like the small risk of batteries bursting into flames if a short circuit or overheating occurs.

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Pravesh Kumar Thakur
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526 views9 pages

Lithium Ion Battery For Telecom Applications

The document discusses lithium-ion batteries and their use in telecommunications applications. It describes the construction and components of lithium-ion batteries, including cathode, anode, electrolyte, and battery management system. It outlines the chemical reactions that occur during charging and discharging, and lists advantages such as high energy density, long lifespan, and compact size. It also notes challenges like the small risk of batteries bursting into flames if a short circuit or overheating occurs.

Uploaded by

Pravesh Kumar Thakur
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LITHIUM - ION BATTERY FOR TELECOM APPLICATIONS

_______________________________________________________
Arun Golas DDG (T&A), Ram Krishna DDG (FLA), R. K. Siddhartha Director (FLA) and Naveen Kumar AD (FLA)

Abstract
We present various aspects for use of Lithium-Ion Battery in various Telecom Applications in present as well as future scenario. The uses of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Batteries have been increasing in our daily life day by day. Lithium-ion batteries are energetic, rapid rechargeable and having longer life. Lithium ion battery is also a better choice for various Telecom Applications as well as other applications. The demand of these batteries has been increasing rapidly. This paper also represents future requirement, applications, advantages, structure, challenges and other development for lithium ion battery.

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Lithium is a good conductor of electricity and can combine with many other metals to form alloys. Lithium ion batteries provide more and more energy in a smaller container. Lithium-ion batteries have many applications like cell phones, FTTX installations, remote terminals (such as in FTTX installations), access networks, BTS (Base Transceiver Stations) for wireless networks, cable networks, central offices, fuel cell powered system cars, artificial pacemakers, PCs, laptops, audio players, clocks, toys, cameras, automobiles etc. One can say lithium-ion battery would be next generation battery and future power house for telecommunication applications.

1.2

The lithium ion battery may be the alternate of VRLA battery because of higher energy densities, reliability, safety, low maintenance costs and the ability to operate in a wide range of environmental conditions for long periods.

1.3

VRLA batteries often suffer from premature and/or sudden capacity losses and thermal run away. The capacity loss of VRLA is also deceptive when the total lifecycle cost of power plant including maintenance cost, replacement and disposal costs are taken into account..

2.
2.1

Features
The performance characteristics of lithium-based batteries have higher discharge rate capabilities, a relatively flat discharge curve and no venting of dangerous gases.

2.2

Though lithium-ion battery packs come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have about the same construction. A lithium-ion battery pack has an on-board processor to manage its performance. However, it makes them even more expensive than they already are. It's a pretty sophisticated little computer, and draws power from the battery itself. If the battery pack gets too hot during charging or use, the computer will shut down the flow of power to try to cool it down. A laptop's battery meter can show how much charge is left in the battery to the users. The onboard computer comprises:

One or more temperature sensors to monitor the battery temperature. A voltage converter and regulator circuit to maintain safe levels of voltage and current A shielded notebook connector that lets power and information flow in and out of the battery pack A voltage tap, which monitors the energy capacity of individual cells in the battery pack A battery charge state monitor, which is a small processor, handles the whole charging process to make sure the batteries charge as quickly and fully as possible.

2.3

If one tries to use laptop working in an extremely hot car, then this computer may prevent from powering up until things cool off. Before the cells are completely discharged, the battery pack will shut down to avoid damage to the battery pack. It also keeps track of the 2

number of charge/discharge cycles and sends out information so the laptop's battery meter can tell how much charge is left in the battery.

2.4

Lithium-ion battery cells are arranged in series and parallel to meet various voltage and capacity needs of the telecom industry. This core of cells is constructed in a manner designed to mitigate any propagation of individual cell failure and minimize capacity loss. The Battery Management System (BMS) controls all cell functions according to the manufacturers specifications, manages all parameters impacting on the batterys performance and battery-to-battery communications, alarms, data logging of critical battery parameters and remote monitoring.

2.5

Lithium-ion battery may last two or three years from the date of manufacture whether it is used or not, but it will work about for 5 years if it is used properly.

3.0 Structure and Chemical Composition


3.1 Lithium batteries include lithium ion, lithium polymer, lithium metal polymer and a host of other lithium derivatives. Though may have different cathode materials such as cobalt, nickel manganese cobalt, manganese dioxide, iron phosphate.

3.2

The anodes of a lithium-ion battery are made of lightweight lithium and carbon. Lithium is also a highly reactive element, meaning that a lot of energy can be stored in its atomic bonds. This translates into a very high energy density for lithium-ion batteries. Lithium is also a good conductor of electricity.

3.3

Li-ion cell has cathode made of Lithium Cobalt oxide and anode made of specialty carbon and a separator layer. The battery has electrolyte which is a lithium compuound in an organic solvent. Li-ion battery is also equipped with safety measures and protective electronic circuits or fuses to prevent reverse polarity, over voltage and over heating. Liion battery also has a pressure release valve and a safety vent to prevent it from bursting.

4.0 Chemical Reaction and Working Principle


4.1 The following chemical reaction that takes place inside the battery during charge and discharge operation:

4.2

The lithium atom of cathode is ionized during charging and moves from layer to layer in the negative electrode. During discharge Li - ions move to the positive electrode which embodies the original compound.

5.0 Performance Evaluation


5.1 The Performance of lithium cell also demonstrates a wide temperature operating range (from -20C to +65C), it has very good depth of discharge characteristics and requires no maintenance.

To validate safety devices, the cells undergo a variety of testing where the cells temperature and voltages are monitored under extreme event situations such as Crush Test, Impact Test, Heat Test, Over Current Test, Short Circuit Tests, etc.

6.0 Precautions while using lithium batteries


6.1 Constant current/constant voltage method is used for charging the lithium batteries. A constant current should be maintained to discharge the batteries.

6.2

Do not solder any wire directly onto the battery. 5

6.3

Verify the polarity of the batteries before charging to ensure that they are never charged with the polarity reversed.

6.4

Over discharge can damage the performance of the battery. Equip the battery system with a mechanism to prevent over discharge, especially in situations where the user may forget to turn the equipment off.

6.5

The batteries should be stored at room temperature. Do not place the battery on or near fires, stoves, or other high-temperature locations. Do not heat the battery. Do not place the battery in direct sunlight, or use or store the battery inside hot environment. Doing so may cause the battery to generate heat, rupture, or ignite. Using the battery in this manner may also result in a loss of performance and a shortened life expectancy

6.6

Do not short circuit the positive and negative terminals with any metal object.

6.7

Do not carry or store the batteries together with metal objects.

6.8

Do not pierce the battery with nails, strike the battery with a hammer, step on the battery, or otherwise subject it to strong impacts or shocks.

6.9

For better safety of the battery, the charging and discharging temperature should be beyond 45o C and 60o C respectively.

6.10

Do not disassemble or modify the battery. The battery contains safety and protection devices which, if damaged, may cause the battery to generate heat, rupture or ignite.

6.11

Do not leave the battery idle for longer time because batteries utilize a chemical reaction, battery performance will deteriorate over time even if stored idle for a long period of time.

6.12

Do not expose the battery to water or salt water, or allow the battery to get wet.

7
7.1

Advantages
Lithium-based battery technologies offer a cost effective solution given their higher energy densities, longer life and low maintenance costs.

7.2

Lithium-ion battery may work for about 5 years from the manufacturing date if it is used properly

7.3

Lithium ion batteries provide more energy in a smaller container, less space, less maintenance, better performance and high reliability.

7.4

Lithium-ion battery packs come in all shapes and sizes.

7.5

Battery charge/discharge state monitoring arrangement is available with the help of a small computer.

7.6

Lithium-ion batteries offer longer float life over VRLA batteries and give higher voltage of 3.6 volt.

7.7

Lithium batteries are generally much lighter than other types of rechargeable batteries of the same size.

7.8

Lithium-ion batteries have no memory effect and discharge capacity does not reduce on each charge/discharge cycle.

8.0 Issues, Challenges and Drawbacks


8.1 Consumer batteries usually incorporate over - current or thermal protection or vents in order to prevent explosion. Lithium-ion batteries may burst into flames occasionally. There is a small chance that, if a lithium-ion battery pack fails, it will burst into flame. Just two or three battery packs per million may have a problem. A kind of short circuit happens inside the lithium-ion battery due to separator failure. Since lithium-ion batteries can handle large currents, they may get very hot. The heat may cause the battery to vent the organic solvent used as an electrolyte, and the heat (or a nearby spark) can ignite it. 7

Once that happens inside one of the cells, the heat of the fire cascades to the other cells and the whole pack goes up in flames. 8.2 8.3 There are very few suppliers of large capacity lithium-ion batteries. Capital cost of lithium battery is higher than traditional lead acid battery. However the cost of lithium battery depends upon the application and the site conditions where it will be deployed. If space is not the problem the lithium-ion battery may be an attractive solution. 8.5 Lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to high temperatures. Heat causes lithiumion battery packs to degrade much faster than the normal, resulting in poor performance. 8.6 Lithium-ion chemistry prefers partial discharge to deep discharge. On completely discharging a lithium-ion battery, may damage it irreparably. So it is best to avoid discharging the battery completely. 8.7 Lithium-ion battery starts degrading as soon as it leaves the factory. Lithium-ion battery may last two or three years from the date of manufacture whether one use them or not. It can work about 5 years if one uses properly. 8.8 A lithium-ion battery pack has an on-board computer to manage the battery and draws power for its own use and looses 5 % of its power every month while lying idle. 8.9 The additional circuitry for own use also makes the lithium battery more expensive.

References
(1) Brain, Marshall, and Charles W. Bryant. "How Batteries Work" 01 April 2000. HowStuffWorks.com, http://www.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm Eaves, S. and Shaffer, D. Lithium-ion batteries for telecom applications, Telecommunications Energy Conference, 2007. INTELEC 2007. 29th International Volume, Issue, Sept. 30, 2007 - Oct. 4, 2007 Page 708 712. 8

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Gold Peak Industries (Taiwan), Ltd., Lithium Ion http://www.gpbatteries.com/html/pdf/Li-ion_handbook.pdf

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handbook.

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Hopp Richard (VP Corporate Development) and Miller Dave (Chief Technology Officer International Telecom Power (Canada) Mountain Power Inc. Canada Delta) Next Generation Lithium-ion Battery for Telecommunication Distributed Power Systems, www.battcon.com/PapersFinal2007/HoppPaper2007.pdf Lars Ole Valen (Milj Innovasjon AS, Norway) and Mark I. Shoesmith (E-One Moli Energy (Canada) Ltd.), The effect of PHEV and HEV duty cycles on battery and battery pack performance' Marshall Brain "How Lithium-ion Batteries Work." 14 November 2006. HowStuffWorks.com, http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/lithium-ion-battery.htm Overview of lithium ion batteries, Electronics-lab, lab.com/articles/Li_Ion_reconstruct/index.html Overview of lithium ion lab.com/articles/Li_Ion_reconstruct/index.html Pansonic, Lithium ion, August 2003 Pansonic, Lithium ion, Overview of lithium ion batteries, August 2003. Scott Dearborn, Principal Applications Engineer, Microchip Technology, Chandler, Ariz Charging Li-ion Batteries for Maximum Run Times Power Electronics Technology April 2005. batteries, http://www.electronics-

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Common questions

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Lithium-ion batteries are preferred in telecom applications due to their higher energy densities, reliability, safety, and low maintenance costs. They also operate efficiently under a wide range of environmental conditions and have a longer life compared to VRLA batteries . VRLA batteries are prone to premature capacity losses and thermal runaway, which lithium-ion batteries mitigate through advanced management systems . Additionally, lithium-ion batteries are lighter, offer a smaller footprint, and provide more energy for a given size .

Lithium-ion batteries differ significantly from VRLA batteries in terms of maintenance and lifecycle. Lithium-ion batteries require minimal maintenance due to their stable chemistry and integrated management systems, which monitor and adjust operating conditions automatically . They are also less susceptible to common issues like electrolyte drying and capacity fading, which often afflict VRLA batteries, leading to their premature failure . The lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries also tends to be longer, providing more charge cycles before significant degradation occurs .

The Battery Management System (BMS) is crucial for managing cell performance and safety in lithium-ion batteries. It monitors critical parameters such as temperature and voltage, ensuring that each cell operates within safe limits to prevent overheating and potential failure. BMS also manages the charging and discharging processes to optimize performance and longevity. It records cycles and enables remote monitoring for proactive maintenance, reducing the risk of failures . These features protect against conditions like overcharging, which could lead to thermal runaway, making BMS essential for reliable operation in telecom environments .

Temperature has a significant impact on lithium-ion batteries. High temperatures can cause lithium-ion batteries to degrade quickly, reducing their lifespan and efficiency. Excessive heat can lead to thermal runaway, a situation where the battery could ignite due to the breakdown of internal components, particularly if the separator fails . Conversely, low temperatures may impede chemical reactions within the battery, affecting performance. Effective thermal management is therefore essential to safeguard both performance and safety in telecom applications .

A lithium-ion battery comprises several structural components, each playing a vital role in its function. The anode, typically made of lightweight lithium and carbon, stores lithium ions, while the cathode, often composed of lithium cobalt oxide, releases them during discharge. A separator layer prevents direct contact between anode and cathode, maintaining ion flow only through the electrolyte. The electrolyte, a lithium compound in an organic solvent, facilitates ion transfer between electrodes . Safety devices like pressure release valves and protective circuits are also incorporated to prevent overcharging and overheating, enhancing safety and longevity .

In lithium-ion batteries, the electrolyte facilitates the movement of lithium ions between the anode and cathode during charge and discharge cycles. It is typically composed of a lithium compound dissolved in an organic solvent. This medium not only supports ionic conductivity but also ensures electrical insulation between the electrodes, preventing short circuits . The efficient transport of ions through the electrolyte is crucial for the battery’s overall energy efficiency and capacity .

During the charging cycle, lithium atoms in the cathode become ionized and move through the electrolyte to the anode, where they are stored within the layered structure of the negative electrode. In the discharge cycle, the process reverses as lithium ions move from the anode back to the cathode, releasing energy in the process . This movement of lithium ions between electrodes is facilitated by a solvent in the battery's electrolyte, enabling efficient energy storage and release .

Choosing lithium-ion batteries involves higher initial capital costs than traditional lead-acid batteries like VRLA due to their sophisticated technology and materials. However, lithium-ion batteries offer lower lifetime maintenance costs as they exhibit longer life, greater efficiency, and require less frequent replacement . The benefits of reduced space requirements and higher energy density can translate into cost savings in contexts where those factors are significant, such as telecom towers. Long-term savings can be realized through reduced energy losses and improved reliability, even if the upfront costs are higher .

Despite their advantages, lithium-ion batteries pose several risks and challenges. One major risk is the potential for thermal runaway, which can lead to fires if the battery fails due to a short circuit or separator failure. Though rare, this risk underlines the need for good thermal management and protective measures . Lithium-ion batteries are also sensitive to high temperatures, which can degrade their performance and lifespan. Additionally, they have higher capital costs compared to VRLA batteries, and suppliers for large-capacity applications are limited, posing logistical challenges .

Complete discharge of lithium-ion batteries is discouraged as it may cause irreversible damage to the battery’s structure and chemistry, leading to reduced capacity and lifespan. Lithium-ion chemistry prefers partial to full discharge cycles, as repeated deep discharges can stress the battery components and hasten degradation . Proper discharge management is essential in telecom applications to maintain battery health and ensure reliability over extended periods .

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