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22.
Annexes and technical documentation
22.1
Handling of sealed storage batteries
When charging sealed storage batteries by water electrolysis at the positive electrode, the oxygen released
is guided through a glass mat from the positive to the negative electrode and converted back to water again
after a series of chemical reactions. During charging, part of the oxygen also enters the shared gas com-
partment. The housing of sealed storage batteries is designed to act as a pressure vessel through which
reinforced walls prevent the excess oxygen from escaping until complete recombination at the negative
electrode occurs. If improper charging is carried out, hydrogen along with oxygen also arises at the negative
electrode. This hydrogen cannot be converted to water, but rather discharges including the oxygen present in
the gas compartment via the safety valves after the permitted excess pressure level has been exceeded. If
improper charging is avoided, no water loss will occur in sealed storage batteries and the storage batteries
are completely maintenance-free. During storage and energy extraction there is no oxygen in the gas com-
partment and the storage battery has low pressure. Opening the valves must be avoided in all cases as if
oxygen enters them, the negative electrode will be oxidised. This will result in irreparable damage and could
lead to the complete power failure of the storage battery.
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Annexes and technical documentation
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