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Li-ion Battery Technology for Industrial Cleaning
Industrial cleaning machines come in two distinct types: operated and autonomous. While they have many differences, the requirement for a high-quality battery as a power source remains the same.
Previously, industrial cleaning machines have used the same types of batteries used by forklifts and other mobile industrial machines - batteries based on lead-acid chemistry. These batteries include AGM and gel type, and all generally have similar energy density and performance. Life cycles may vary, but all are low when compared to lithium-based batteries, especially when used in deep discharge cycles.
But there has recently been a shift, with new industrial batteries preferring to instead use li-ion chemistry. This is for several reasons, with the first being that energy density of li-ion batteries can be up to 5x higher - 50-100 Wh/kg in lead-acid compared to a maximum of 260 Wh/kg in NCA/NMC cells. This results in smaller and lighter batteries - perfect for mobile cleaning machines and robots.
Li-ion batteries also have a superior lifespan, which can be up to 4x longer than lead-acid batteries - less than 500 for lead-acid and over 2,000 for LFP li-ion. The result? Machines can run longer without the battery needing to be swapped. And when replacement is needed, the process is simple, thanks to the lower weight previously discussed.
Effectively Managing Safety Concerns
It would be disingenuous not to mention that there are also downsides to li-ion technology, the biggest of which is safety. When overheated, li-ion cells can experience thermal runaway, creating a fire risk. This is also a possibility when charged using excessive voltage or mechanically damaged.
The fact that the issue of safety is known means it can be mitigated against, by using high-quality batteries with a robust design and protection via BMS. The Battery Management System monitors all important parameters, including temperature, current, and voltage, and deactivates the battery should any of thresholds be exceeded.
You'll also find that most high-quality batteries - including those designed and manufactured by Johnson Matthey Battery Systems - have secondary back-ups. Robust mechanical design is also of paramount importance. The design might seem of secondary importance to some, but even a small flaw, such as low-quality welding of cell connectors, can lead to mechanical failure caused by vibrations.
Safety and Reliability Through Experience
It is vitally important to select a battery manufacturer with experience, such as Johnson Matthey Battery Systems. We've been a leading European manufacturer for over 20 years, working with our varied partners to provide high-quality solutions that successfully meet even the highest of demands.
In the time since our inception, our engineering team has gained huge experience in a wide range of cell types from several manufacturers. We carefully test selected cells in both internal and external laboratories, ensuring they meet all required standards and offer optimum battery life, safety, and power.
What's more, our laboratory can perform strenuous testing on all machines to ensure the tailor-made batteries we design and produce deliver optimal performance for the specific device in question.
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