Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) are a proven technology for energy storage systems, mobile electronics, power tools, aerospace, automotive and maritime applications. LiBs have attracted interest from academia and industry ‎due to their high power and energy densities compared to other battery technologies. Despite the extensive usage of LiBs, there is a substantial fire risk associated ‎with their use which is a concern, especially when utilised in electric vehicles, aeroplanes, and submarines. ‎This review presents LiB hazards, techniques for mitigating risks, the suppression of LiB fires and identification of shortcomings for future improvement. Water is identified as an efficient cooling and suppressing agent and water mist is considered the most promising technique to extinguish LiB fires. In the initial stages, the present review covers some relevant information regarding the material constitution and configuration of the cell assemblies, and phenomenological evolution of the thermal runaway reactions, which in turn can potentially lead to flaming combustion of cells and battery assemblies. This is followed by short descriptions of various active fire control agents to suppress fires involving LiBs in general, and water as a superior extinguishing medium in particular. In the latter parts of the review, the phenomena associated with water mist suppression of LiB fires are comprehensively reviewed.

Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) have superior energy density and lifetime compared to battery technologies such as lead acid. Despite the widespread application of LiBs in energy storage systems, electronic devices, aerospace and the automotive industry, they present a fire risk. In this study, experiments were conducted to characterize the thermal behavior of the electrolyte (as the main contributor to LiB fires) using a cone calorimeter; investigate the interactions of water mist and a Bunsen burner, as a precursor to examining the effectiveness of a water mist suppression system in extinguishing a LiB fire. In the present work, we have endeavored to systematically study the fire suppression efficacy of water mist by adopting to some novel approaches. This involved carefully planned laboratory scale explorations that involved a propane gas fueled flame, and subsequently by using bespoke set up that mimicked fire owing to fuel surge from typical Li-ion cell (18650 cells). In the latter set of fire suppression tests, water droplets were produced by a fan nozzle and sprayed horizontally toward the jet flame of replica 18560 battery containing only the electrolyte. The results showed that both fire types (Bunsen burner and LiB) are suppressed rapidly on activation of the water mist fire suppression system for geometries that enable the water mist direct access to the lift-off zone, between the gas source and base of the flame.