Vehicle Level Thermal Runaway & Battery Design Insights
- Baba Mulani
- Feb 26, 2024
- 2 min read
Experimental investigation of Thermal Runaway in an actual electric vehicle offers invaluable insights & recommendations for the design of lithium-ion batteries.
One such interesting study's findings are enlightening. When lithium-ion batteries are subjected to extreme conditions that lead to thermal runaway, the arrangement of cells within the battery pack plays a pivotal role in how the event unfolds. Vertically arranged cells were found to behave worse than those in a horizontal layout, indicating a higher susceptibility to damage and the propagation of thermal runaway. This discovery is critical for electric vehicle (EV) design and safety protocols, highlighting the importance of cell arrangement in mitigating the risks associated with battery fires.
One of the most striking observations from the burned test electric vehicle was the transformation of the cathode, anode, and separator after a thermal event. The cathode surfaces were covered with off-white floccules, a mix of decomposed separator materials, cathode material ash, and the remnants of exothermic reactions. This layering of debris indicates the intense chemical transformations occurring during thermal runaway, which not only compromise the battery's structural integrity but also its chemical stability.
The implications of this study carried out by Olona A.& Castejón L. for the design & safety of lithium-ion batteries in EVs are profound. The detailed analysis of cell damage and chemical changes provides invaluable insights into the vulnerabilities of lithium-ion batteries to thermal runaway. This knowledge is instrumental in guiding the development of safer battery designs, improving fire suppression and emergency response strategies, and informing regulatory standards for EVs.
Moreover, the study's insights into the distribution of elements and compounds formed during thermal runaway offer a roadmap for first responders dealing with EV fires. Understanding the chemical composition of battery residues can aid in the development of specialized fire suppression techniques and safety protocols, reducing the risks to emergency personnel and the public.
Studies such as this one are crucial stepping stones, providing the insights needed to navigate the challenges of thermal runaway and steer us toward a future where electric vehicles are synonymous not just with innovation and efficiency, but with unparalleled safety as well.
The comprehensive analysis, accompanied by illustrative photographs and a comparative review of both new and tested lithium-ion NMC pouch cell components, was remarkable, offering profound insights from this study. For further details and exploration, a link to the complete paper is available in the comment section below.
