NASA Presentation

Introduction to Lithium Battery Technology

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Lithium (Ion) Hazard Focus

Gerry Flood of Lith Safe

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Battery FeaturesBattery Chemistry

Lithium Metal (Primary)

Benefits/Drawbacks

•Used one time•Discarded after use•Long shelf life•Lower self-discharge•High energy density

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Battery FeaturesBattery Chemistry

Lithium Ion (Secondary)

Benefits

•Rechargeable•Cost advantages (long term)

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Battery FeaturesBattery Chemistry

Lithium Ion (Secondary)

Benefits

•Largest energy density•High electrochemical potential•Low maintenance•Low self-discharge

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Battery FeaturesBattery Chemistry

Lithium Ion (Secondary)

Drawbacks

•Considerable fire potential•Requires safety circuitry•Questionable tolerance for aging •Transportation and storage restrictions

Battery Features

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Lithium (Ion) Focus

They have a negatively charged Carbon anode,a positively-charged Metal Oxyde Cathode and Lithium

Ion Compound as electrolyte.Lithium Ion Batteries run down and require recharging.Lithium Ion Automotive batteries hold a large amount

of potential energy!

Battery Failure and Thermal Runaway

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Lithium (Ion) Focus

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Battery Failure

Thermal Runaway

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Battery FailureEnergetic Battery Failure

The Anatomy of Thermal Runaway Propagation

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Battery Failure

Lithium metal deposits

Lithium Ion cellEnergetic Battery Failure

Electrical Abuse

•Lithium plating

a) A chemical/electrical process that basically transforms free lithium ions into lithium metal (deposits).

a) Fire and explosion risks grow substantially

Battery Fire Behavior

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Lithium (Ion) Focus

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Classes

Batteries can be “multi-classed” with some fitting comfortably into ALL four common classes!

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Classes

Lithium (Primary)

•Combustible build materials (A)•Combustible metals (D)•Possibly energized (C)

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Classes

Lithium Ion (Secondary)

•Combustible build materials (A)•Flammable Electrolyte (B)•Possibly energized (C)

Question:Can Lithium Plating add a “Combustible metals” component?

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Classes

Class A – Water works Best

Class B- Smother Effects on flammable liquid, venting gases, N2 possible

Class C - Non Conductive Agent, CO2

Class D – Metals, Dry Powder, Sand

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Battery Fire Behavior

Composed of many “ordinary

combustible” materials

Battery Fire Classes

Question: Why are lithium (ion) batteries not limited to any one class of fire?

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Classes

Question: Why are lithium (ion) batteries not limited to any one class of fire?

Contain flammable liquids in electrolyte

form

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Classes

Question: Why are lithium (ion) batteries not limited to any one class of fire?

May possess an electrical shock

hazard

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Classes

Question: Why are lithium (ion) batteries not limited to any one class of fire?

Lithium (primary) cells possess

combustible metals

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Properties

Question: What are the properties of Lithium (ion) cell burn?

Gas release (burn and no burn)

Severe:

•Skin burn•Eye irritation•Respiratory issues•Disorientation

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Battery Fire BehaviorBattery Fire Classes

Question: What are the properties of Lithium (ion) cell burn?

•Hydrogen•Carbon dioxide •Carbon monoxide •Methane •Ethylene •Ethane•Propylene

Source: Sandia National Labs. Gas release during cell venting.

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EUCAR Hazard Levels(European Council for Automotive Research)

HazardLevel Description Classification Criteria

0 No effect No effect. No loss of functionality

1 Passive protection activated

No defect; no leakage; no venting fire or flame;no rupture; no explosion; no exothermic reaction or thermal runaway. Cell irreversibly damaged. Repair is needed.

2 Defect / Damage No leakage; no venting fire or flame; no rupture; no explosion; no exothermic reaction or thermal runaway. Cell irreversibly damaged. Repair is needed.

3 LeakageΔ mass < 50%

No venting, fire or flame*; no rupture; no explosion.Weight loss < 50% of electrolyte weight (electrolyte = solvent + salt)

4 VentingΔ mass ≥ 50%

No fire or flame*; no rupture; no explosion.Weight loss ≥ 50% of electrolyte weight (electrolyte = solvent + salt)

5 Fire or Flame No rupture; no explosion (i.e., no flying parts)

6 Rupture No explosion, but flying parts of the active mass

7 Explosion Explosion (i.e., disintegration of the cell)

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Battery Fire SuppressionSuppression Methodology

Remember:

Thank You!

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