Can a lithium ion battery cause a gas explosion in energy storage station?

The numerical study on gas explosion of energy storage station are carried out. Lithium-ion battery is widely used in the field of energy storage currently. However, the combustible gases produced by the batteries during thermal runaway process may lead to explosions in energy storage station.

Why are explosion hazards a concern for ESS batteries?

For grid-scale and residential applications of ESS, explosion hazards are a significant concern due to the propensity of lithium-ion batteries to undergo thermal runaway, which causes a release of flammable gases composed of hydrogen, hydrocarbons (e.g. methane, ethylene, etc.), carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.

Can combustible gases cause an explosion?

The results showed that the combustible gases produced by a single battery module during thermal runaway will cause an explosion if the gas concentration is not timely reduced and the ignition source with enough energy appears. The main component of combustible gases is vaporized electrolyte (VE).

What happens if a combustible gas explodes in a battery module?

Considering that gas explosion may cause thermal runaway of battery module in the actual scene, the existence of high-temperature zone may be longer and the temperature peak may be higher. After the combustible gas got on fire, the gases volume expanded by high-temperature compresses the volume of the surrounding gases.

How does ESS design affect fire and explosion safety?

Several competing design objectives for ESS can detrimentally affect fire and explosion safety, including the hot aisle/cold aisle layout for cooling efficiency, protection against water and dust ingress into the enclosure, and the use of larger cells with increased energy density.

How does high explosive power affect venting efficiency?

Therefore, under high explosive power, the internal gas of vessel cannot be vented timely, and the higher reduced explosion pressure leads to lower venting efficiency. The venting efficiency decreases as the increases of vent panel's mass.