Nickel Cadmium Rechargeable Batteries – Disposal, Charger, and Electrolyte

Batteries play an important role in the world of electronic devices. It’s hard to imagine where the world would be today without them.

Some batteries are rechargeable. This happens when the chemical reaction when using the battery is reversed. It can then be used repeatedly without having to replace.

Rechargeable batteries have replaced thousands of primary cells, which cannot be recharged. Some are designed for specific applications, while others can work anywhere.

There are four types of secondary cells, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion, and lead-acid. The first three types are used mainly in smartphones, power tools, laptops, and similar products. Lead-acid batteries are primarily used in automobiles.

In this guide, we will be focusing on nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. We will discuss their disposal, charging, and electrolyte.

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Nickel-cadmium Rechargeable Battery Disposal

NiCd batteries are among the most popular secondary cells out there. They have been around for several years.

The production of these batteries has increased with the increase in the number of electrical devices.

With this comes the increased risk of wrongful disposal. In the end, it’s our environment that suffers the most.

Legal Requirements for Disposing of Secondary Cells

The law is very clear on how rechargeable batteries should be disposed of. After contacting a recycling service, NiCd batteries must be contained in consumer products for three months.

Municipalities are expected to provide recycling options for these batteries in most regions. These services have been available to consumers for many years. Rechargeable battery recycling programs make it possible for consumers to safely dispose of used batteries.

NiCd batteries are hazardous. Companies and businesses that use them are prohibited from disposing of them like other waste. The state hazardous waste regulations offer the right procedure for disposing of them.

Hazards Linked to NiCd Batteries

The use of secondary batteries is highly encouraged. However, long-term exposure to cadmium is associated with an increased lung and kidney damage risk. It also softens the bones, making them less effective in your body.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) records that cadmium and related compounds may be a carcinogen. That means they pose a huge risk to people and the environment when not set disposed of properly.

Disposing of NiCd batteries in landfills can cause the release of cadmium. These compounds can enter the air by burning home waste, like NiCd batteries.

You will also find cadmium in the ash when incinerating garbage. This is problematic in many parts of the world, especially those that rely on waste to energy plants in managing garbage.

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Removing these batteries from the solid waste stream is crucial to protecting the health of our planet. Proper disposal methods are required to ensure safety for everyone.

How to Dispose NiCd Batteries

NiCd batteries are not different from lead-acid batteries in terms of energy density and longer life. They are great for straight power supply and other applications.

Here is how you can safely dispose of the batteries:

Carefully take the battery from the device. Make sure it’s not physically damaged.

Find a recycling drop-off location in your area. When packaging the batteries, place each battery individually in a plastic bag. Or, tape the ends with a masking tape to prevent the terminals from contact. Also, do not package the batteries with other metallic objects.

Send the battery to the collection center. Check your local collection center if they offer pick-up services. This should keep you from having to make a long trip.

By safely disposing of NiCd batteries, you will be participating in saving our environment. We all have a part to play. And that is why we are encouraged to mind where we put our old batteries.

Nickel-cadmium Battery Charger

Charging flooded NiCd batteries is not like charging any other battery type. You need to charge the battery at a constant current of 1.55V/cell. This is normally achieved through trickle charging, which protects the battery, making it last longer.

The current must then be reduced to 0.1C before continuing to charge until the battery reaches 1.55V/cell again. Trickle charging is applied here, allowing the voltage to flow freely.

It’s possible to achieve higher voltages. However, this will generate excess gas causing rapid water depletion.

A flooded NiCd does not absorb gasses. This is because it does not work under any pressure. Hence, NDC is not applicable.

With that in mind, you must always find the right charger for your NiCd batteries. Understand that the nominal voltage of these batteries is about 1.2V. This is why trickle charging is recommended to give it more time for a full charge. This also protects the internal components of the battery from damage.

You can never use a lithium battery or any other charge for a NiCd battery. Li-ion batteries can achieve a nominal voltage of up to 4.2V. This is a high figure that requires a more powerful charger. Such a charger can easily overcharge and damage a NiCd battery.

Another factor about charging NiCd batteries is receiving a trickle charge of 0.05 – 0.1C as compensation for self-discharger. Charger designers aim for the least possible current for trickle charging. This reduces possible overcharging.

Despite these special chargers, you should never leave the battery on a charger for extended periods. Always wait for a full charge and then remove before using.

Nickel-cadmium Battery Electrolyte

Nickel-cadmium batteries have electrodes made from nickel oxide hydroxide and metal cadmium. A fully charged battery will have a nickel (iii) oxide-hydroxide positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative cadmium electrode, and an alkaline electrolyte (mostly potassium hydroxide and deionized water).

The electrolyte carries 30% solution of these components. Its specific gravity remains between 1.240 and 1.300 at room temperature. And they're no notable changes in the electrolyte during charging or discharging. This is it’s hard to determine the battery charge using the specific gravity check.

It’s recommended that the electrolyte level remains just above the plates. It should not be too high or too low. This can damage the cells, reducing the lifespan of the battery.