Thermal runaway requirements for energy storage cells

How to prevent thermal runaway propagation in battery packs?

Mitigating thermal runaway propagation in battery packs to prevent chain reactions and catastrophic failures. The method involves using thermal barrier materials in battery modules and packs to prevent heat transfer between cells when one cell experiences thermal runaway.

What is thermal runaway?

Thermal runaway is a critical safety concern, particularly in energy storage systems such as lithium-ion batteries. When batteries experience thermal runaway, a rapid and uncontrolled rise in temperature occurs, leading to hazardous consequences like fires, explosions, or toxic gas emissions.

What happens when a battery cell experiences thermal runaway?

When a battery cell in the module experiences thermal runaway, the expanding material cracks or breaks the heat transfer path between cells or between the module and cooling system. This prevents further spread of thermal runaway. The heat transfer member improves cooling during normal operation but breaks during runaway to prevent propagation.

What is thermal runaway testing?

Thermal runaway testing is a requirement in many industries and is governed by international standards that ensure the safety of battery systems. Key standards include: UN 38.3: This United Nations standard defines testing requirements for lithium batteries used in transport, including overcharge, short circuit, and thermal runaway tests.

How does a heat transfer module prevent thermal runaway?

The heat transfer member contains a thermally expandable material with a specific temperature range. When a battery cell in the module experiences thermal runaway, the expanding material cracks or breaks the heat transfer path between cells or between the module and cooling system. This prevents further spread of thermal runaway.

How can energy storage systems prevent heat propagation?

Mitigating thermal events in energy storage systems like lithium-ion batteries to prevent heat propagation and spread after cells experience thermal runaway. The approach involves adding insulation material between cells to isolate them and reduce heat transfer.