Recently, battery fires have made headlines due to a few deadly explosions caused by lithium-ion batteries in electric bikes and scooters.
These batteries go through thousands of charge-discharge cycles during their lifespan. This wears down the electrolyte, increasing the risk of fire.
Lithium-ion batteries are flammable
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable electrical storage devices found in many electronic devices like cell phones, power tools and digital cameras.
In a lithium-ion battery, the positive (anode) and negative (cathode) electrodes are separated by an electrolyte. Lithium ions move back and forth between these electrodes through the electrolyte multiple times. The anode, usually constructed of graphite, becomes damaged due to repeated injections of lithium ions into it which decreases its performance.
The cathode of a lithium-ion battery is made up of lithium-manganese spinel, which has a structure that promotes ion flow in the electrolyte and reduces internal resistance. Furthermore, this mineral boasts excellent thermal stability which further increases safety when exposed to extreme temperatures.
Lithium-ion batteries differ from lead-acid batteries in that they use an acid solution to store power, while lead-acids use a liquid electrolyte that contains water and other chemicals. When damaged or crushed, these chemicals may leak into the air creating an explosion hazard.
Though most lithium-ion batteries are designed for safety when stored and used correctly, they still have the potential for fire. A fire can result in serious injury or even death; even with proper precautions taken, a fire could still happen.
When a battery ignites, it’s critical to act quickly and extinguish the fire. Firefighters can utilize foam extinguishers, carbon dioxide, ABC dry chemical, powdered graphite or copper powder as methods for extinguishing a fire quickly and safely.
To prevent a battery fire, keep batteries and devices that contain them out of household garbage and recycling bins and take them to separate recycling or household hazardous waste collection points. Tape battery terminals together and place batteries inside a plastic bag for extra protection against damage.
When your battery is ready for recycling, locate a certified battery electronics recycler that accepts lithium-ion batteries. These stores will help guarantee your lithium-ion batteries are safely discarded.
Many lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to thermal runaway, a condition in which the cells can overheat and burst open. Fortunately, this problem has become less frequent over the last several years.
Lithium-ion battery fire rates have steadily decreased due to improvements in manufacturing and safety standards. Unfortunately, even quality batteries can fail if they’re thrown away or put into municipal recycling bins with household recyclables.
They are prone to thermal runaway
Battery fires have become an increasing safety risk for electric vehicles (EVs). Their batteries are susceptible to thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that could ignite in a fire caused by the evaporation of electrolyte liquid inside the cell.
Lithium-ion batteries have a limited temperature range in which they can operate. When this limit is exceeded, however, the cells become susceptible to thermal runaway. This process causes them to heat up uncontrollably and could potentially result in cell destruction or start a fire.
Thermal runaway can be caused by a number of causes, such as mechanical damage or improper handling of the battery. Improper handling could lead to short circuiting, leading to fire and explosion.
Thermal runaway can occur when batteries are overcharged or exposed to extreme temperatures. These situations can permanently damage the batteries and degrade their performance, potentially leading to the runaway process.
To avoid thermal runaway, it’s best to store your battery at safe temperatures. Manufacturers generally recommend between 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit for most lithium-ion batteries.
Beyond simply storing batteries safely, there are other steps that can help minimize the risk of thermal runaway. One key one is making sure all battery systems have proper venting.
Other precautions that can be taken include maintaining proper battery acid levels and monitoring the battery to make sure it functions optimally. Doing this helps ensure you’re not putting yourself or others at risk of fire or explosions.
In addition to thermal runaway safety concerns, fires that occur in lithium-ion batteries can be difficult to put out. Once they ignite, flammable electrolyte liquid may vaporize, leading other cells to rupture and releasing flammable gas.
Researchers are developing fire detection and suppression technology that can be applied on lithium-ion batteries to mitigate these risks. This system can detect a fire and localize it by monitoring the battery’s internal temperatures; furthermore, it has the capacity to spot cool the battery to prevent thermal runaway reactions.
They can ignite in the presence of oxygen
A battery fire is a type of chemical reaction that takes place when lithium-ion batteries break down, releasing heat and gases that can ignite. This process causes extensive environmental harm as well as being highly hazardous for those involved.
Lithium-ion batteries typically ignite when an electrical short occurs inside the cell. This occurs when the separator sheet gets punctured and positive and negative electrodes come into contact, known as thermal runaway. As a result, cells become extremely hot.
Researchers have discovered that a specific electrolyte in batteries prevents this from happening. It consists of a water-in-salt material which can be reversibly charged with lithium salts.
This new electrolyte, called the water-in-salt polymer, has a special chemistry that ensures stability across a broad range of voltage. This allows batteries to last longer and be more energy-efficient than other types of batteries.
One reason this cell electrolyte stands out from its competitors is that it can withstand extremely high levels of heat. This is due to the material having a polymer that latches onto water molecules and holds them firmly in place.
Scientists are confident that this electrolyte will prevent thermal runaway from damaging the whole cell. Furthermore, they believe it will extend cell life by allowing them to work less hard for energy production, leading to longer lifespans for these cells.
To understand how the new electrolyte accomplishes this feat, the team used a lab model. Under a microscope, they observed dendrites forming on the anode surface – an area known to be particularly hotbed for lithium metal reactions.
Dendrites grow quickly and have been known to cause many lithium-ion battery fires. If left unchecked, these crystals could ignite when exposed to open flame.
Fires that ignite in the presence of oxygen are much more common than their non-oxygen counterparts, and due to their unique characteristics they can be more difficult to put out. That’s why it’s best to let a fire burn out rather than attempt to suppress it with chemicals.
They are difficult to extinguish
Lithium-ion batteries pose a hazardous threat to people and the environment, with fires that start in them being difficult to put out. Furthermore, these explosive devices emit toxic gases which are deadly if inhaled by animals or people who come into contact with them.
Li-ion batteries can be found in a variety of products, such as electric vehicles and cell phones. They’re even capable of powering home appliances like refrigerators and air conditioning systems.
Battery fires are unfortunately not infrequent but can cause extensive destruction. Even a minor incident can ignite a large fire that spreads rapidly to nearby devices, creating large infernoes that are difficult to put out completely.
Even when not in use, lithium-ion batteries can still catch fire if dropped, jostled or bumped against other objects. They may also catch fire due to prolonged exposure to wet or humid conditions.
When a battery does catch fire, it is imperative to quickly take it away and contact the fire department. After that, use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.
Standard dry chemical or ABC extinguishers can usually put out lithium-ion battery fires. A foam extinguisher may also be employed for larger-scale incidents.
However, if the lithium-ion battery fire is too big for one single fire extinguisher to handle, professional help with suppression strategies is likely required. Warehouse owners, transport companies and other businesses that store or ship lithium batteries should consider teaming up with a fire protection company for effective safety procedures.
Combatting a lithium-ion battery fire requires cooling the individual cells with water, which will prevent thermal runaway and keep the blaze from spreading to other cells in the battery.
To do this, firefighters should spray the fire with water droplets designed to quickly absorb heat. This will cool burning cells and prevent thermal runaway, ultimately leading to the extinguishment of the flames.
Lithium-ion battery fires remain a serious issue for businesses, though fortunately they are becoming less frequent. Unfortunately, they won’t go away anytime soon.