Study on lithium-ion batteries' fire characteristics and trace identification technology

doi:10.16265/j.cnki.issn1003-3033.2017.11.004

Abstract

Abstract: In order to investigate the fire characteristics of lithium-ion battery under different fault conditions, puncturing, external heating, and overvoltage charging experiments were carried out on several common lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles. Melted marks caused by the battery combustion were investigated as well. The results show in the puncturing and external heating experiments, both temperature rise and toxic gas release level of the ternary materials lithium-ion battery are higher than those of any of both the LiCoO₂ lithium-ion battery and the LiFePO₄ lithium-ion battery. In the overvoltage charging experiments, the ternary materials lithium-ion battery is easy to give out heat, and its surface temperature increases quickly, showing an obvious fire risk. The heat produced by the battery combustion can melt the iron shell. And the metallographic structures of the melted mark presents the characteristic of arc trace. That the metallographic structures of metal shell grow, presenting an uneven distribution.

Key words: lithium-ion battery, fire characteristic, gas release, metallographic analysis, trace identification

CLC Number:

X932

ZHANG Yi, WANG Lifen, LYU Zhong, YANG Shiqun, PENG Bo, ZHAO Changzheng. Study on lithium-ion batteries' fire characteristics and trace identification technology[J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2017, 27(11): 18-23.

References

[1] 张青松, 郭超超, 秦帅星. 锂离子电池燃爆特征及空运安全性研究[J]. 中国安全科学学报, 2016, 26(2): 50-55.
ZHANG Qingsong, GUO Chaochao, QIN Shuaixing. Study on lithium-ion batteries explosive characteristics and aviation transportation safety [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2016, 26(2): 50-55.
[2] CHEN Mingyi, HE Yaping, ZHOU Chuangde, et al. Experimental study on the combustion characteristics of primary lithium batteries fire [J]. Fire Technology, 2016, 52(2): 365-385.
[3] 杨杰. 新能源大巴厦门再起火 11辆车烧毁致1人死亡[EB]. (2015-07-23). http://auto.huanqiu.com/news/2015-07/7077414.html.
[4] 新能源汽车又自燃！特斯拉比亚迪都未幸免, 还敢不敢买?[OL]. (2016-05-30). http://mini.eastday.com/a/160530163116463.html.
[5] WANG Qingsong, PING Ping, ZHAO Xuejuan, et al. Thermal runaway caused fire and explosion of lithium ion battery [J].Journal of Power Sources, 2012, 208: 210-224.
[6] OPITZ A, BADAMI P, SHEN L, et al. Can Li-ion batteries be the panacea for automotive applications? [J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017, 68: 685-692.
[7] 李毅, 于东兴, 张少禹, 等. 锂离子电池火灾危险性研究[J]. 中国安全科学学报, 2012, 22(11): 36-41.
LI Yi, YU Dongxing, ZHANG Shaoyu, et al. Research on fire hazard of lithium-ion battery [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2012, 22(11): 36-41.
[8] 单明新, 王松岑, 朱艳丽, 等. 锂离子电池过充爆炸强度试验研究[J].安全与环境学报, 2015, 15(5): 116-118.
SHAN Mingxin, WANG Songcen, ZHU Yanli, et al. Study on the burst intensity of lithium-ion batteries due to overcharge [J].Journal of Safety and Environment, 2015, 15(5): 116-118.
[9] FLEISCHHAMMER M, WALDMANN T, BISLE G, et al. Interaction of cyclic ageing at high-rate and low temperatures and safety in lithium-ion batteries [J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 274: 432-439.
[10] MANDAL B K, PADHI A K, SHI Z, et al. Thermal runaway inhibitors for lithium battery electrolytes [J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2006, 161(2): 1 341-1 345.
[11] FENG Xuning, HE Xiangming, OUYANG Minggao, et al. Thermal runaway propagation model for designing a safer battery pack with 25 Ah LiNi_xCo_yMn_zO₂ large format lithium ion battery [J]. Applied Energy, 2015, 154: 74-91.
[12] LARSSON F, ANDERSSON P, BLOMQVIST P, et al. Characteristics of lithium-ion batteries during fire tests [J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2014, 271: 414-420.
[13] 罗星娜, 张青松, 戚瀚鹏, 等. 空运锂离子电池火灾探测方法研究[J]. 消防科学与技术, 2015, 34(9): 1 198-1 201.
LUO Xingna, ZHANG Qingsong, QI Hanpeng, et al. Research on the lithium-ion battery fire detection during air transportation [J]. Fire Science and Technology, 2015, 34(9): 1 198-1 201.
[14] KONG Weihe, LI Hong, HUANG Xuejie, et al. Gas evolution behaviors for several cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries [J]. Journal of Power Sources, 2005, 142(1/2): 285-291.
[15] WEN Jianwu, YU Yan, CHEN Chunhua. A Review of lithium-ion batteries safety issues: existing problems and possible solutions [J]. Materials Express, 2012, 2(3): 197-212.
[16] GAO Ao, ZHAO Changzheng, DI Man, et al. Microscopic investigation of a copper molten mark by optical microscopy (OM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) [J]. Procedia Engineering, 2011, 11: 100-106.
[17] BABRAUSKAS V. Arc beads from fires: Can ‘cause’ beads be distinguished from ‘victim’ beads by physical or chemical testing? [J]. Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, 2004, 14: 125-147.