The storage battery generally used in electric power station is

Question

Examoogle · Accepted Answer

Option C: lead-acid battery

Explanation & Concepts:
The lead-acid battery is the industry standard for electric power stations due to its high reliability and ability to provide large discharge currents for short durations. It is primarily used as a standby power source for critical station auxiliary systems, such as switchgear operation, emergency lighting, and control circuits.

Working Principle: During discharge, lead dioxide ($PbO_2$) at the positive plate and spongy lead ($Pb$) at the negative plate react with sulfuric acid ($H_2SO_4$) to produce lead sulfate ($PbSO_4$) and water ($H_2O$). The reversible nature of this chemical reaction allows the battery to be recharged by passing a current in the opposite direction. The electrochemical potential is approximately $2.0	ext{ V}$ per cell.

Key Formulas: $E_{cell} \approx 2.0 	ext{ V}$ — nominal voltage per lead-acid cell; $Pb + PbO_2 + 2H_2SO_4 \leftrightarrow 2PbSO_4 + 2H_2O$ — basic chemical equation for discharge/charge

Key Points: Used for DC emergency supplies in power stations.; Provides high surge current capacity for tripping circuit breakers.; Sulfuric acid acts as the electrolyte.; Requires periodic maintenance of electrolyte specific gravity.

Advantages: Low internal resistance enabling high discharge rates; Cost-effective and widely available; High cell voltage compared to alkaline alternatives

Disadvantages: Heavy weight and bulky construction; Requires regular maintenance (topping up with distilled water); Short life cycle compared to Ni-Cd batteries

Applications: Switchgear operation (tripping/closing coils); Emergency lighting for control rooms; UPS for power station communication equipment

Additional Info: Nickel-cadmium batteries are generally used for specific applications like aircraft or specialized portable tools due to their high cost.. Zinc-carbon batteries are primary cells and are unsuitable for power station standby backup as they cannot be recharged.

Answer: C is correct — The lead-acid battery is the preferred choice in electric power stations for its reliability and high discharge current capabilities for emergency control systems.

Exam Tip: Always remember that lead-acid batteries are 'Secondary Cells' (rechargeable), whereas batteries like Zinc-Carbon are 'Primary Cells' (non-rechargeable) and cannot be used for stationary power backup.

Examoogle · Answer

Option A: nickel-cadmium battery

Examoogle · Answer

Option B: zinc-carbon battery

Examoogle · Answer

Option D: none of the above

Correct Answer

Discussion (0)

Correct Answer

Related Questions

Discussion (0)