CS243966B1 - Reagent to determine the degree of alkalinity of the alkaline batteries operated - Google Patents

Abstract

A reagent for determining the alkalinity of electrolytes of alkaline batteries operated in the field is provided, which contains in one liter of aqueous solution 1.84 to 1.86 moles of hydrogen chloride, 0.33 to 0.40 moles of crystalline barium chloride and 5.4.10-3 to 6.0.10-3 moles of an acid-base indicator with a color transition in the pH range of 6.4 to 8.2, for example 5.7.10-3 moles of 4'-hydroxyfuchson-2-sulfonic acid known as phenol red. The reagent allows, while respecting the valid standards, as well as the recommendations of the alkaline battery manufacturer, to determine the alkalinity of the electrolyte by a simple test under operating conditions and, based on this finding, to decide whether or not it is necessary to replace the electrolyte in the battery cell under test. Thus, the invention contributes to maintaining the function and reliability of the battery and to extending its service life.

Description

G 01 N 31/22

The reagent is to determine the degree of alkalinity of the electrolytes of the operated alkaline accumulators

A reagent for the determination of the alkalinity of the alkaline accumulator electrolytes in the field, comprising 1,84 to 1,86 moles of hydrogen chloride, 0,33 to 0,40 moles of crystalline barium chloride and 5,4 to 10 moles per liter of aqueous solution. 6.0-10-3 moles of acid-base indicator with a color transition in the pH range of pH 6.4 to 8.2, for example 5,7.10-3 moles of 4'-hydroxyfuchson-2-sulfonic acid known as phenolic red. The reagent makes it possible to determine the alkalinity of the electrolyte in a simple test, taking into account the applicable standards as well as the alkaline battery manufacturer's recommendations under operating conditions, and to decide whether or not the electrolyte needs to be replaced in the battery cell under test. Thus, the invention contributes to maintaining the function and reliability of the battery and to extending its life.

243 966

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243 966

The present invention provides an agent for determining the degree of alkalinity

Claims (1)

electrolytes of alkaline accumulators operated in the field. Regular and systematic checking of the electrolyte composition of operated alkaline batteries with regard to increasing carbonate content and proportionally decreasing hydroxide content during operation of these batteries has not been carried out in the field yet. One of the main reasons for the persistence of this situation is the fact that the operators of accumulators, possibly motor vehicles or other devices dependent on alkaline accumulators, are not adequately equipped to carry out this inspection. In this context, it should be appreciated that the measurement of the electrolyte density commonly used in lead-acid accumulators is worthless in alkaline accumulators, since even a fully carbonized electrolyte solution has a density within the error limits of the same as the electrolyte not carbonized at all. In order to overcome this drawback, the reagent for determining the alkalinity of the electrolytes of the alkaline accumulators according to the invention is characterized in that the reagent comprises, per liter of aqueous solution, 1.84 to 1.86 moles of hydrogen chloride, 0.35 to 0.40 moles of crystalline barium chloride to 6,0.W 5,4.10 ^J "'of moles of acid-base indicator having a color transition in a pH 6.4 to 8.2, for example 5,7,10 ™ ^ 4 moles ^of -hydroxyfuchson-2-sulfonic acid . The composition of the agent according to the invention corresponds to a maximum permissible concentration of 50 g of potassium carbonate per liter of electrolyte. The determination itself is based on the fact that the barium chloride contained in the reagent precipitates any carbonates present in the electrolyte in the form of insoluble barium carbonate, the amount of hydrogen chloride contained in the reagent being chosen so that in the case of an electrolyte whose hydroxide content is within the limits to excess acid. In the latter solution remains after, mixing the prescribed amounts of sample electrolyte-3243966 and alkaline agent of the invention as indicated by its červenofialovým color corresponding to the color of the indicator - 4 ^of -hydroxyfuchson-2-sulfonic acid, known as phenol red - in this environment. Commonly used acid-base indicators are not suitable for this purpose mainly because of their low solubility in the sky or for other reasons; completely unusable is phenolphthalein, which, due to a small excess of strong caustic, becomes a colorless leukobase, thereby decolorizing the red solution of phenolphthalein in the defined alkaline region. Thus, the color change in the phenol red initially yellow reagent solution indicates that the concentration of hydroxide in the electrolyte is within normal limits, while the yellow color indicates the need to change the electrolyte. A prerequisite for the correct test result, which is described below, is that the density of the electrolyte under test is within the limits prescribed by ČSN 36 43 50 for the entire period of operation of alkaline batteries, ie in the range of 1.20 to 1.21 g / cm2. check the density of the electrolyte under test by means of a hydrometer before carrying out the test. However, the agents of the invention may also be used if the electrolyte has a density other than that specified by the standard. In this case, after determining the electrolyte density, subtract the required amount of reagent from Table 1 to determine. Table 1: density of test amount of the electrolyte reagent g / crrr according to the invention ml 1.16 1.18 1.20 1.22 1.24