Development of a Method for the Measurement of Flammability of Gases and Aerosols Ejected from a Lithium Ion Battery Undergoing a Thermal Runaway

Abstract

Exposure of lithium ion cells to physical or electrical abuses may trigger a thermal runaway in these cells. The thermal runaway may propagate from cell to cell and is accompanied by a rapid ejection of flammable gases and particulates. An ignition of these gasesmay lead to deflagration or (under certain circumstances) detonation and catastrophic physical damage. To prevent the deflagration and detonation of ejected battery products, it is critical to know the amount of the products ejected from a given cell at a given state of charge and the lower flammability limit (LFL) of these products. The main objective of this project is to develop a method for a direct measurement of LFL of battery materials ejected from a lithium ion cell upon thermal runaway. The method will also provide a capability for estimation of the average molecular mass of ejected products, which is one of the key parameters required for computational fluid dynamics simulations of dispersion of these products within and around electrical energy storage installations. The method will be based on a novel adjustable volume combustion chamber concept and will enable characterization of the impact of particulates and aerosols ejected by lithium ion cells on the LFL. To date, this impact has not been characterized.Approved for Public Release

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Nov 08, 2024
Source ID
N000142412584

Entities

People

  • Stanislav Stoliarov

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of Maryland

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Rocket Propulsion.