Standards to address the safety of lithium-ion batteries are evolving and have adapted to address the hazards associated with thermal runaway leading to fires and explosions. Manufacturers are working on meeting various international testing standards to ensure the safety and compliance of batteries, 细胞, 模块和包. 然而, there is always a risk of a battery failure or an incident impacting the integrity of the battery, which can lead to thermal runaway, with accumulation of gases, 过热, 燃烧或爆炸.
Regulations are being developed and updated to keep up with the various risks associated with lithium-ion battery applications in the transportation and logistics sectors. In addition to powering vehicles and boats, batteries are used in energy storage systems as well as vehicles in warehouses and transit centers and on cargo ships. The risks and hazards vary. Factors that come into play include battery chemistry, power rating and capacity, and state of charge (SOC). 大小, location and construction of the enclosures where they are located must also be considered as well as the nearby presence of other combustibles, 比如电池, 设备, vehicles or other property.
Mitigation strategies start with the battery management system, 视频监控, 气体探测, 线性热探测, ventilation and suppression. Water-based suppression systems with high density coverage are designed to contain lithium-ion battery fires to a specific area and provide cooling of the radiated heat and exposed combustibles. 然而, they will not stop the thermal degradation of the combustible electrolyte in the battery. 在大多数情况下, automatic suppression needs to be supplemented by firefighting teams entering a space with sufficient hose lines and water supply to safely manage the incident.
A catastrophic failure occurs when mitigation measures are improperly designed, insufficient or impaired. Emergency response procedures are also critical hazard mitigation measures, and implementation of the right measures, may contribute to reducing the risk of catastrophic event occurrence. As part of these procedures, accessibility for firefighters trained to deal with these kinds of incidents, and availability of 设备 and facilities to isolate the vehicle, 容器, or 设备 with the failed battery are critical to reducing the potential for fire and explosion propagation.
It is also essential to pro-actively monitor and supervise the condition of batteries. This includes having detailed procedures for handling, 删除, and relocating a defective or impacted battery and the 设备 it powers. While low-battery SOCs below 30% are associated with a lower probability for flaming thermal runaway events, the presence of combustible electrolyte within the battery still carries the potential for release of flammable gases. 处理这些风险, consideration must be given to implementing mitigation measures and training in appropriate emergency procedures.
Jensen Hughes fire and process safety experts regularly work with clients to review 电池的危害, assess risks associated with their specific applications, and recommend and develop mitigation strategies in the transportation sector.
