Hazard analysis of thermally abused lithium-ion batteries at different state of charges. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liao, Zhenghai; Zhang, Shen; Li, Kang; Zhao, Mingyue; Qiu, Zongjia; Han, Dong; Zhang, Guoqiang; Habetler, Thomas G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of energy storage. Volume 27(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Gas component analysis -- Post-mortem analysis -- Thermal runaway -- Temperature response -- Lithium-ion battery; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.3126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2019.101065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-152X

Abstract

Highlights: Three hazard metrics for thermally abused lithium-ion batteries are assessed. Temperature response profiles of lithium-ion batteries at four different SOCs are obtained. Thermal decompositions of 90% SOC and 100% SOC lithium-ion batteries are analyzed. Gas analysis for thermally abused batteries at different SOCs are performed. 26 gases were detected in the gas products of the 100% SOC battery. Abstract: Temperature response, thermal decomposition, and gas generation are important metrics for evaluating thermal runaway hazards of lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, the hazards associated with thermally abused LiNi1/3 Co1/3 Mn1/3 O2 /graphite batteries at different state of charges (SOCs) are experimentally assessed. The results show that the maximum temperature of the battery during thermal runaway increases linearly with SOC, which is also accompanied by a linear decrease of the thermal runaway onset temperature. In addition, %%both the 90% and the 100% SOC batteries experienced some degree of gas deflagration and particle ejection that generated 1.22 g and 2.57 g of powders, respectively. While these powders are mostly contributed by the decomposition of battery cathodes, the gas deflagration can be mainly attributed to sparks that ignited the flammable gases released from the thermally abused batteries. Furthermore, this research also establishes a complete list of gas components observed at different SOCs, and the flammable ones are mainly carbon oxides, hydrocarbons, C2 H4 O2, and C2 H6 O. It is also observed that an increasing number of gas types will be generated at higher SOCs%, and some of these new components such as benzene can be harmful and toxic to the environment. Finally, this complete list of gas components can be used to identify characteristic gas types for an early warning mechanism of thermal runaway, which can be accomplished by installing appropriate gas sensors and monitoring their volume concentrations.