An Experimental Study on Fire Risks Due to Overcharge and External Heat of ESS Lithium Battery

Abstract

The present article relates to an experimental study on fire risks due to overcharge and external heat of ESS lithium battery. According to the experimental results of overcharge, ignition occurred as combustible gas and smoke was slowly increased after occurrence of venting, and an explosive combustion form accompanied by flame eruption and sparks was displayed as charged energy is rapidly discharged in an instant. On the other hand, according to the experimental results of external heat, as a tremendous amount of combustible gas and smoke was ignited following being discharged after occurrence of vent, the charged energy itself was rapidly reduced due to the discharged energy so that a passive combustion form was observed when compared with overcharge after occurrence of flames. According the analysis results of fire damage characteristics, differences between external heat (External flame) could be found through visual and X-ray inspections. Namely, while inside electrode plate was completely destroyed and perforation of the electrode plate was observed in the case of overcharge, fire damage of the electrode plate was not severe maintaining the form in the case of external heat.

Zero fire battery concept: water-in-battery

“…[1][2][3][4] However, as the application of the ESS increased, numerous occurrences of ESS burn-down have been reported around the world. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The primary cause of re is the thermal runaway of lithiumion batteries (LIBs) that comprise the ESS. Under battery abuse conditions, heat generation continues to accumulate if the amount of energy required for chemical reactions is exceeded.…”

“…When the temperature rises above the vaporization point of the electrolyte, the electrolyte starts to dissolve, and the solid electrolyte interphase layer begins to decompose. 11 The dissolution of these electrolytes creates oxygen inside the sealed battery and causes metal ions to dissolve, resulting in the collapse of the crystalline structure of the battery. 11 When the exothermic reactions of the electrolyte, anode, and cathode in the cell continue to occur and become uncontrollable, the reaction rate increases because of the temperature rise, which further elevates the temperature.…”

“…11 The dissolution of these electrolytes creates oxygen inside the sealed battery and causes metal ions to dissolve, resulting in the collapse of the crystalline structure of the battery. 11 When the exothermic reactions of the electrolyte, anode, and cathode in the cell continue to occur and become uncontrollable, the reaction rate increases because of the temperature rise, which further elevates the temperature. 12 These conditions eventually stimulate the internal pressure increase and fulll the three elements for re condition (ring point, combustion and oxygen), as shown in Fig.…”

“…Conventional methods typically use large amounts of water, compressed gas (CO 2 and N 2 ), and re extinguishing agents to stop an ESS re. 11 However, most of the ESS re suppression systems work aer re has already been broken out. Moreover, some of the systems are also reported to be burned down during re events.…”

“…Moreover, some of the systems are also reported to be burned down during re events. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Therefore, it is essential to establish a system that can be used to block re effectively.…”