Lithium Ion Battery Fires

Lithium ion battery fires often start with their highly combustible electrolyte liquid igniting inside its cells if damaged, shorted, overcharged or overheated.

Fires caused by ruptured cells can be difficult to put out. Therefore, having working smoke alarms on all levels and practicing an escape plan are of vital importance in order to save lives in these cases.

Overheating

Lithium-ion batteries can be found everywhere – they power our phones, tablets, laptops, electric cars, power tools, e-bikes and children’s toys – but can become overheated and exploded easily if overheated; overheating also contributes to lithium battery fires which can be difficult to put out and pose serious threats to people and property.

Problems in lithium-ion batteries often start when one cell heats up too rapidly for its materials to cool off, leading to chemical reactions and thermal runaway that generate heat, toxic gases, and flammable vapors. Thermal runaway can spread to other cells of a battery pack and lead to explosion and fires.

Overcharging, physical damage and environmental factors such as high ambient temperatures can all cause overheating that leads to thermal runaway. When damaged batteries become physically compromised, their separator may rupture, exposing metals within that can touch and release an avalanche of electrons that produces additional heat – often enough leading to thermal runaway.

Lithium battery fires can also be started externally – such as dropping it – which causes internal short circuiting to produce sharp lithium dendrites that penetrate the separator and reach both electrodes, sparking chemical reactions that heat up to over 212 F and produce their own oxygen for ignition. Such fires can be difficult to extinguish.

As with any product, it’s critical that only batteries and chargers designed specifically for its purpose are used. Furthermore, never store a battery at an altitude higher than 15 feet as punctured or damaged batteries may emit flammable vapor that increases risk of fire in other items above. When disposing of batteries that display signs of overheating, swelling, or leaking, always contact TUV SUD Global Risk Consultants immediately for guidance or training in fire safety management practices. Risk managers can reduce fire risks through safe processes as well as restrictions implemented within storage restrictions imposed by risk engineering organisations like TUV SUD Global Risk Consultants who offer policies and training on how best practices for fire prevention policies and training for employees at work.

Oxygen Generation

If a lithium-ion battery becomes overheated it can cause the electrolyte to generate oxygen, which then can ignite the battery’s flammable material. The resulting fire can then spread to other batteries, creating an explosion that can be deadly. It is important to protect yourself and others around you when working with lithium ion batteries, as they can be difficult to extinguish and produce a toxic gas called carbon monoxide.

The occurrence of lithium-ion battery fires can be prevented by keeping the batteries in a cool, dry place when not in use, as well as following the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and using the battery with the specific device designed for it. It is also important to keep in mind that if you notice a battery’s shape changing, swelling or bulging, leaking or other unusual behavior, it may be experiencing problems and should be removed from the device immediately.

Another common reason for a lithium-ion battery fire is due to thermal runaway, which occurs when the internal structure of a battery cell starts to break down. This can be caused by a manufacturing defect such as ‘lithium plating’ (formation of metallic lithium on the anode surface within the battery), mechanical damage or a short circuit. Thermal runaway can then lead to the release of a range of flammable gases from the battery casing, which can then ignite and spread.

In addition to generating toxic gases, lithium-ion batteries are prone to exploding when they come into contact with water, making them a dangerous choice for marine applications. This is especially true for boats that require multiple lithium-ion batteries to power navigation and lighting systems, motors and other electrical equipment.

PKU Pioneer’s VPSA and PSA oxygen generation technologies can help protect these battery cells from fires and explosions by releasing 93% enriched oxygen into the air. This can prevent the formation of flammable gases, reduce battery degradation and improve its lifespan. PKU Pioneer has successfully applied its VPSA and PSA oxygen generator technology in various industrial fields such as iron & non-ferrous smelting, glass & papermaking, wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal and more.

Thermal Runaway

In the most serious cases of thermal runaway, lithium ions in a battery can combust and emit flammable gases. These gases may include hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrofluoric acid. These gases can be toxic to humans if inhaled in significant quantities. EV fires are particularly dangerous, as the batteries may rupture, releasing these gases into a confined space.

While most EV fires are caused by external factors such as overcharging and exposure to sunlight, there are some cases that may be internal in nature. For example, a defect in a battery’s construction or design can cause it to overheat and become unstable, triggering a thermal event. Additionally, physical stress on a battery can lead to a thermal event if the cell is punctured or crushed.

When a battery fire occurs, it may be difficult to extinguish. This is because, as the flames grow, they may produce flammable hydrogen gas. Water may be able to cool the flames, but it is not likely to completely extinguish them. In fact, water may actually contribute to the fire by reacting with the lithium in the battery.

To prevent this from happening, cooling systems are developed to extract heat and prevent thermal runaway. One such system is called the Battery Temperature Monitoring System (BTMS), which uses a series of sensors to monitor the temperature of batteries at all times. It can detect abnormal conditions such as an overheated battery, and alert users to take action.

Disposal

Lithium battery fire risks can be substantially decreased when batteries and devices they power are properly utilized, charged and stored; however, mistakes can still result in tragedy; for example, when an EV ignites due to lithium battery fire inhalation within its cabin can release toxic fumes which include carbon monoxide, hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen chloride that could prove lethal – creating deadly fumes along with smoke and flames from burning batteries.

Firefighters face unique challenges when responding to these fires, which are typically very hot and hard to extinguish. Furthermore, these blazes often cause significant damage in the surrounding area and release dangerous chemicals that pose risks to human health.

NFPA has released several resources to aid consumers and first responders in safely using lithium batteries, including our myths vs realities document and interactive eLearning course.

Lithium batteries are an integral component of many devices and systems we rely on every day, such as laptops, cell phones, digital cameras and power tools. Unfortunately, when damaged or improperly charged they can cause fires and explosions that threaten both individuals and businesses alike.

Lithium batteries are becoming an ever-increasing source of fires nationwide, prompting the Department of Fire Services to create a checklist to detect related incidents. Since its introduction, this tool has helped investigators detect 50 such fires – more than double of what would typically be detected through national data alone.

Lithium battery fires often result from their disposal with regular household waste or recycling materials, or being mixed in with them in containers that move around such as waste collection vehicles. This poses particular danger if batteries come into contact with water which is highly flammable.

To prevent this from occurring, lithium batteries should only be disposed of through an authorized waste treatment facility that accepts hazardous waste and has the facilities for incineration. Before disposal, batteries should be completely discharged and taped over to protect their contacts from ever touching each other by accident.