More and more companies want to use the advantages of lithium-ion batteries in forklifts and warehouse equipment for their intralogistics processes. But is this also possible in temperature-controlled environments, for example in cold stores at arctic temperatures? How can the performance of lithium-ion batteries be maintained even in the cold and temperature fluctuations?
The BSLBATT modular lithium-ion technology scores with operators and drivers in many respects. Lithium-ion batteries enable multi-shift operation without the usual battery changes and the costs for replacement batteries. Breaks and downtimes are used to quickly supply the batteries with energy – whenever possible – through short opportunity charging. The batteries are no longer charged all at the same time, but distributed over the day. This saves valuable time for the changing process. In addition, intelligent charging management ensures that expensive current peaks are avoided.
Lithium-ion batteries also save energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions. The batteries store the supplied energy with very little loss and thus achieve an efficiency of over 95 percent. The lighter lithium-ion batteries reduce the overall weight of the devices, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 21 percent.
Another plus for the user: In contrast to conventional lead-acid batteries, industrial trucks that are operated with lithium-ion batteries do not lose their performance over the course of use. The energy is released evenly and absorbed during recuperation. And that almost independently of the remaining capacity. Drivers repeatedly praise the consistently high performance of the devices powered by lithium-ion batteries - especially in hectic everyday logistics.
So it makes sense to also use this technology for the time-critical processes in food logistics. In the industry, a distinction is made between dry goods, fresh goods and frozen goods. While the dry range is stored at normal room temperatures, goods from the fresh range, such as dairy products, sausage, fresh meat and fresh fish, but also fruit and vegetables, must be stored at a temperature of 2 to 4 or 8 degrees Celsius. These products usually have a short shelf life and therefore have to be handled as quickly as possible. Frozen food and ice are even stored in frosty temperatures of -18 degrees Celsius and colder.
Colder temperatures can indeed slow down the chemical reaction in batteries. However, batteries discharge faster at low temperatures and thus lose performance. In general, the lower the temperature, the lower the battery capacity. The capacity of a lead-acid battery is at its greatest at an electrolyte temperature of 30 degrees Celsius; at an electrolyte temperature of -20 degrees Celsius, the available capacity drops to 55 percent. Charging also takes longer at low temperatures in the single-digit range because the battery cannot absorb the energy well and is even impossible at sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, lead-acid batteries must be stored and charged at normal room temperatures. For deep-freeze applications, two replacement batteries, i.e. three lead-acid batteries per device, are therefore usually required. In addition, the maintenance and care costs for lead-acid batteries in deep-freeze use are higher. For example, to avoid so-called leakage currents and thus discharges, which are favored by moisture and dirt on the surface.
In particular, the multiple refrigeration companies switching to BSLBATT lithium-ion batteries have brought about huge savings: on the one hand, in terms of loading space, due to the smaller space required, and on the other hand, equipment equipped with energy-saving technology requires significantly less maintenance . No battery damage and more time-saving charging management.
In particular, our customers in Indonesia describe the feeling they get with BSLBATT lithium batteries: "We can charge devices during short breaks with significantly less work because you just plug them into the charging station. No more removing The entire battery and attach it to the charging compartment.” At the same time, he emphasizes: “These devices are also very convenient and are almost always available to us. After a few simple steps, they are operational again, which allows us to Significantly increased runtime."
Is it even economically possible to use lithium-ion batteries in refrigerated or deep-frozen environments? Or are there losses of capacity and thus a reduction in battery life to be feared? What many fleet operators do not yet know is that the use of lithium-ion batteries makes sense in many respects, even under extreme environmental conditions. The lithium battery system produced by BSLBATT is specially designed to meet the needs of industrial trucks and is also available in a cold store version. The system differs from the usual rechargeable batteries used in private applications due to its significantly more robust construction, the high quality of the individual cells and modules, and more complex safety components. This protects each individual module and the battery system as a whole against dust and splash water. The self-contained system is absolutely maintenance-free and does not release gases into the environment either during charging or during operation. This eliminates the need for special ventilation of the loading area and operators do not have to fill up with water or even handle acid.
● Higher energy efficiency and low CO2 emissions
● Simple and safe handling
● Shorter loading times
● No replacement batteries required
● Maintenance-free and no outgassing when charging or in operation
● Thermal management system monitors the temperature of each individual cell within the battery
● Battery heating integrated in each module and only activated when required protects the cells from cooling down
● Lithium-ion batteries can be charged in the deep-freeze area and as often as required
● Absolutely secure system with high availability
The speed of loading and unloading areas, cold chain compliance for delivering food, and the topic of energy saving are the most important challenges facing every cold storage warehouse manager. BSLBATT Indonesia's client companies are now operating forklifts equipped with BSLBATT Lithium Ion batteries designed and customized for each operation - it can operate in temperatures as low as -22°F and never leaves the freezer, including charging time! These batteries have a thermostat-controlled heater to heat the battery, the battery is insulated, and the case is sealed to prevent dust and condensation. Opportunistic recharging at any break and lunch time provides optimum performance for Li-Ion batteries at any given moment, one, two or even three shifts a day!
The Warehouse Manager reports a slight increase in their lifts runtime and a massive decrease in charging and overall maintenance time. The safety improvements are also important – there are no more risks of acid spills and fumes or battery swapping-related risks. Other company facilities are looking closely at this case and some are already on the way to make the switch to Li-ion.
With the BSLBATT lithium forklift battery system...
... rule out operating errors when handling.
... improve occupational safety.
... reduce your overall costs.
... save energy.
... reduce CO2 emissions.
Any major stress on the economy and business propels the trends in technology that were already building momentum in a “peaceful” time. Companies are looking for ways to improve efficiency as a matter of survival, not just a “nice-to-have” or “expendable” environmental initiative.
Efficient Li-ion batteries are replacing the old lead-acid technology. Tried-and-tested lithium solutions are no longer newcomers and we will see accelerating adoption of Li-ion batteries by all players in material handling over the next few years.
