REG NASA-LLIS-0719--2000 Lessons Learned Short Circuit Testing for Nickel Hydrogen Battery Cells.pdf

1、Best Practices Entry: Best Practice Info:a71 Committee Approval Date: 2000-03-28a71 Center Point of Contact: GRCa71 Submitted by: Wil HarkinsSubject: Short Circuit Testing for Nickel/Hydrogen Battery Cells Practice: Use Short-Circuit testing method or response characteristics on Nickel/Hydrogen (Ni/

2、H2) battery to characterize the battery impedance. This data is necessary for designing power processing equipment and electric power fault protection system.Programs that Certify Usage: This practice has been used on NTS-2, INTELSAT V, and Hubble Space TelescopeCenter to Contact for Information: GR

3、CImplementation Method: This Lesson Learned is based on Reliability Practice Number PT-TE-1430 from NASA Technical Memorandum 4322A, NASA Reliability Preferred Practices for Design and Test.Benefit:Ni/H2battery technology is gaining wide acceptance as an energy storage system for use in space applic

4、ations because of its reliability, weight and long cycle expectancy at deep depths-of-discharge (DOD). When a charged Ni/H2battery is short-circuited, its short circuit current data can be used to calculate the internal resistance of the cells for the purpose of determining the overall characteristi

5、cs of the energy storage system. Also, by examining the cell impedance only, a Ni/H2battery simulation Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-utilizing low cost lead-acid cells can be developed.Implementation Method:Ni/H2batteries will be us

6、ed as the secondary source of electric power systems for many space applications, such as a space station. Most long term spaceflight will be orbiting in Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) once every 90 minutes, which equals to approximately 6000 cycles per year and during each cycle there will be an eclipse per

7、iod of approximately 30 minutes. During the eclipse period, electric power must be maintained to support many on going activities, such as life support, communication and experiments. A typical Ni/H2battery will contain 76 Ni/H2cells connected in series to produce a nominal battery voltage of 112 vo

8、lts DC. Each cell has a capacity of 81 Amp-hours and will operate at nominal 35 % DOD. Based on the short-circuit testing conducted here at LeRC, Ni/H2battery is inductive in nature (no large current spike) and this was later confirmed by analysis of its internal cell structure. A 76 cell battery wa

9、s not available, therefore, characteristics of a single cell and two cells in series were used to extrapolate the overall characteristics of the entire 76-cell Ni/H2battery. Figure 1 shows the external configuration of a typical Nickel/Hydrogen cell.refer to D descriptionD The test setup for the sin

10、gle cell short circuit test is shown in Figure 2. For safety reasons, the instrumentation and test personnel were separated from the short circuit test stand by means of a separate room. The test equipment located in the control room consisted of: a battery charge/discharge controller to monitor and

11、 control state of charge, the relay control panel to control relay activation, and a four channel Digital Oscilloscope to record current and voltage transients. In the energy storage room the Ni/H2cell was mounted on a cold plate and contained in a sealed chamber which was purged with Gaseous Nitrog

12、en (GN2) in case of hydrogen out-gassing. The cell was connected to a 400 Amp relay by a pair of 1/0 welding cables, keeping cable length and inductance to a minimum. Current measurements were obtained using a Pearson current transformer (to capture quick alternating current (AC) Provided by IHSNot

13、for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-Figure 1: Typical Nickel/Hydrogen Aerospace Cell transients) and a Hall effect current sensor. Initial tests showed that the Hall effect current probe had ample bandwidth to capture the current transient, and the Pearson

14、current transformer was removed.refer to D descriptionD Figure 2: Ni/H2Cell Short Circuit Test Block Diagram The test setup for the two-cell short circuit test differs only in the configuration of the cells. Instead of a single cell, two cells are connected in series and both are placed inside the t

15、est chamber.TEST DESCRIPTION:The cell(s) are setup as shown in Fig. 2, and the cell(s) are either charged to 100% state-of-charge Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-(SOC) or discharged to a 65% SOC. The digital oscilloscope is set to tri

16、gger on the current rise and the relay is closed by the operator. The relay activation switch automatically de-energizes the relay after only 175 milliseconds of short circuit current. The test cells never lost any capacity and were not subjected to any thermal stress.The following are brief descrip

17、tions of the seven test measurements:1. Short Circuit Current Response of Ni/H2Cell (100% SOC) with the Pearson Current Transformer. The result shows a peak current of 746 A. During the short, it shows a cell voltage drop from 1.477 to 0.692 Vdc and a relay voltage drop of 0.339 Vdc.2. Short Circuit

18、 Current Response of Ni/H2Cell (100% SOC) with the Hall Effect Current Sensor. The result shows a peak current of 775 A. During the short, it shows a cell voltage drop from 1.479 to 0.691 Vdc and a relay voltage drop of 0.329 Vdc.3. Short Circuit of Ni/H2Cell (re-conditioned 100% SOC). The cell was

19、fully discharged then fully charged again. This re-conditioning method has shown to improve the ampere capacity of the cell(s). However, little change in short circuit current (Isc) was measured.4. Same test as NO.3, but the time base was reduced to examine the start-up transient and switch bounce e

20、ffect It has shown a good transient after the initial bounce.5. Short Circuit of Ni/H2Cell (re-conditioned 65% SOC). After the cell had been discharged to 35% DOD, results were lower cell voltage (1.295 Vdc) and consequently lower Iscof 659 A.6. Short Circuit of two series Ni/H2Cells (100% SOC). The

21、 Hall effect current of 987 A peak falling to 950 A within 171 ms. During the short, total cell voltage dropped from 2.967 to 0.795 Vdc.7. Short Circuit of two series Ni/H2Cells (65% SOC). The Hall effect current of 856 A peak falling to 832 A within 171 ms. During the short, total cell voltage drop

22、ped from 2.595 to 0.685 Vdc.Test Result ComparisonAnalyzed test results between single and duel cell test measurements. The short circuit current of a cell is not increasing at the same rate as the voltage from a single cell (test no. 2) to a double cell (test no. 6).The dual cell test had the NiH2c

23、ells connected in series. The cell voltages would add up to be about double the voltage of a single cell (2.967 V vs. 1.479 V). However, in a series connection, the short circuit current is not expected to double.The short circuit current is simply a function of the cell voltage and the resistance i

24、n the short Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-(Isc=Voc/R). The resistance, R, is comprised of the internal cell resistance (Rb) and the external circuit resistance, Rext(cable and relay contacts). In an ideal test Rext= 0 the short circ

25、uit current should not change since both the voltage and the resistance is doubled when the cells are connected in series. However, since the external circuitry adds resistance, the short circuit current will increase as the external resistance becomes a smaller part of the total resistance.For exam

26、ple: analysis of the single cell data shows that the external circuit had 0.87 mOhms of resistance and that the internal cell resistance was about 1.06 mOhms. Therefore, the short circuit current should have about 1.479 V/1.93 mOhms = 766 A. The test results were 775 A.Analysis of the two cell data

27、goes along the same line. Assuming that both the voltage and the internal resistance were doubled, adding in the external resistance gives the expected short circuit current of: Isc=2.967 V/(1.06 mOhms * 2 +0.87 mOhms)= 2.967 V/2.99 mOhms = 992 A. The Actual test result was 987 A.In the same manner

28、the voltage across the cell(s) during the short circuit is a function of the external resistance and the short circuit current (Vsc=Rext*Isc). Since Iscdoes not double and Rextremains constant, then Vscis not expected to double. It will, however, increase as Iscincreases.Note: Figure 3 shows a data

29、plot of test NO. 7. Please refer to reference 1 for additional data plots of the other tests.Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-refer to D descriptionD Figure 3: Plot No 7, Short Circuit Response of Two Series NI/h2Cells at 65% SOC Data

30、AnalysisThe internal impedance of the Ni/H2cell was calculated from the data presented above. Using the single cell and multiple cell tests, an internal resistance/inductance was calculated. The data is used to extrapolate the short circuit current of the entire 76-cell battery.The equivalent Ni/H2s

31、ingle and dual cell(s) circuits are shown in Figure 4 and 5 respectively. All of the resistive components values are derived by using direct-current (DC) circuit analysis. The internal cell inductance is calculated by simplifying the circuit in Figure 4 and 5 to a voltage source switched into a seri

32、es resistor-inductor (RL) circuit.Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-refer to D descriptionD Figure 4: Single Cell Equivalent Circuit Model refer to D descriptionD Figure 5: Dual Cell Equivalent Circuit Model Single Cell DC AnalysisMeasu

33、red values: Open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit voltage (Vsc), battery voltage (Vbat), short circuit current (Isc), switch/relay voltage (Vsw).Cable values: Cable resistance #1 (Rc1), cable resistance #2 (Rc2).Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license

34、 from IHS-,-,-Calculated component values: Battery resistance (Rb), switch/relay contact resistance (Rsw).From handbook or manufacturer specifications, look up cable resistance of 1/0 copper stranded welding cable with .09 mOhm/ft. Rc1= 2 ft. = 0.18 mOhms, Rc2= 3 ft. = 0.27 mOhms, therefore total ca

35、ble resistance (Rct) equals 0.45 mOhms.Relay resistance “ON“ calculation: Rsw= Vsw/IscAn average value of Rswwas obtained: Average Rsw= 0.42 mOhmBattery resistance calculations: Voc represents the battery cells ideal voltage source.Method #1: Isc= Voc/ (Rb+ Rc1+ Rc2+ Rsw), therefore, Rb= (Voc/ Isc)

36、- Rc1- Rc2- RswMethod #2: Isc= (Voc- Vsc) / Rb, therefore, Rb= (Voc- Vsc) / IscNote: Please refer to reference 1 for the detailed analysis of all the components values and calculation.Technical Rationale:ASA Lewis Research Center has conducted and will continue to support future research on Ni/H2cel

37、l battery technology for commercial and aerospace applications. From the current test equipment setup, and with the data obtained through the testing methods of a single cell and two cells in series, the internal cell characteristic impedance has been determined to be of approximately 1.0 mOhm and a

38、n internal inductance of approximately 0.55 microhenrys. Based on these test results, the short circuit current depends on the voltage and the resistance in the short. Knowing that the Ni/H2cell internal resistance was about 1.06 mOhms, the ultimate short circuit current could easily be calculated.

39、Therefore a short worst-case short circuit current of 1753 Amps was predicted for a long term spaceflight, 76 Ni/H2cell battery design.References:1. Button, Rob; Pease, Gary; Birchenough, Art; Petrik, John; “Ni/H2Cell Short Circuit Test“, Electrical Systems Division, NASA LeRC, Preliminary Test Repo

40、rt # 14, April 20, 1992.2. Button, Robert M., “Ni/H2Short Circuit Test of an Abnormal Cell“, Electrical Systems Division, NASA LeRC, PIR #243, May 22, 1990.3. Research NASA Handbook for Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries, Preliminary draft, Goddard Space Flight Center, May 1992.5. Gates Energy Products, Seal

41、ed Rechargeable Batteries Application Manual, 19896. “Battery Selection Practice For Aerospace Power Systems“, Reliability Preferred Practice PD-ED-12217. “Design and Analysis of Electronic Circuits for Worst Case Environments and Part Variations“, Reliability Preferred Practice PD-ED-1212Impact of

42、Non-Practice: Failure to adhere to proven Ni/H2battery test practices could cause shortened mission life, impact mission success, premature termination of component or experiment operation, and in extreme circumstance, loss of mission or human life. All phases of battery processes, from development,

43、 design, fabrication and all the way to installation in the spacecraft, must adhere to the proven reliable design and safe battery practices.Related Practices: N/AAdditional Info: Approval Info: a71 Approval Date: 2000-03-28a71 Approval Name: Eric Raynora71 Approval Organization: QSa71 Approval Phone Number: 202-358-4738Provided by IHSNot for ResaleNo reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS-,-,-