Analysis of thermal runaway propagation and explosion risk of a large battery module for energy storage

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2024.0216

Abstract

Abstract:

Fires and explosions of energy storage systems caused by the thermal runaway (TR) of lithium-ion batteries restricts the their use in the industry. A 280 Ah lithium-ion battery and 1P48S battery module were used as research objects to investigate the propagation behavior of the TR and the explosion risk of large batteries and battery modules used for energy storage in real-life scenarios. Moreover, experimental studies were conducted on the heat and gas production characteristics of battery cells, as well as the TR propagation characteristics of the module under the condition of thermal abuse. Based on the gas production results, the explosion risk in two typical energy storage application scenarios caused by TR propagation within the module was analyzed. The results show that the maximum temperature of the cell caused by the TR was 380.1 ℃, the total gas volume during TR was 156.8 L, and the explosion limit of the mixed gas was 6.9%—35.5%. The heat insulation plate installed inside the module effectively inhibited the TR propagation, six battery cells without heat insulation plates experienced TR, the highest surface temperature of battery cells exceeded 1200 ℃, and the TR propagation speed was in the range 0.162—0.233 mm/s, meanwhile the upper surface temperature of the module box reached 281.3 ℃. Six cells that experience TR in the module will lead to a high explosion risk in a container-type energy storage system; thus, the TR propagation should be controlled within two cells, but the process from venting to the TR of one cell in the module will lead to a high explosion risk in the energy storage cabin for commercial and industrial use. This research can provide a guide for the safe design of battery modules and explosion-proof design of an energy storage system.

Key words: electrochemical energy storage, battery module, thermal runway propagation, explosion risk

CLC Number:

TM 911

Ye CHEN, Jin LI, Houfu WU, Shaoyu ZHANG, Yuxi CHU, Ping ZHUO. Analysis of thermal runaway propagation and explosion risk of a large battery module for energy storage[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2024, 13(8): 2803-2812.

Figures/Tables 15

Table 1

Fig.1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

Fig. 12

Fig. 13

Fig. 14

References 14

1	李晋, 王青松, 孔得朋, 等. 锂离子电池储能安全评价研究进展[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2023, 12(7): 2282-2301. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2023.0252.
	LI J, WANG Q S, KONG D P, et al. Research progress on the safety assessment of lithium-ion battery energy storage[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(7): 2282-2301. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2023.0252.
2	李磊, 李钊, 姬丹, 等. 过充电触发的LFP和NCM锂离子电池的热失控行为: 差异与原因[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2022, 11(5): 1419-1427. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2021.0548.
	LI L, LI Z, JI D, et al. Overcharge induced thermal runaway behaviors of pouch-type lithium-ion batteries with LFP and NCM cathodes: The differences and reasons[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2022, 11(5): 1419-1427. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2021.0548.
3	梅文昕, 段强领, 王青山, 等. 大型磷酸铁锂电池高温热失控模拟研究[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2021, 10(1): 202-209. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2020.0249.
	MEI W X, DUAN Q L, WANG Q S, et al. Thermal runaway simulation of large-scale lithium iron phosphate battery at elevated temperatures[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2021, 10(1): 202-209. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2020.0249.
4	HUANG Z H, YU Y, DUAN Q L, et al. Heating position effect on internal thermal runaway propagation in large-format lithium iron phosphate battery[J]. Applied Energy, 2022, 325: 119778. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119778.
5	YANG M J, RONG M Z, YE Y J, et al. Comprehensive analysis of gas production for commercial LiFePO₄ batteries during overcharge-thermal runaway[J]. Journal of Energy Storage, 2023, 72: 108323. DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2023.108323.
6	程志翔, 曹伟, 户波, 等. 储能用大容量磷酸铁锂电池热失控行为及燃爆传播特性[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2023, 12(3): 923-933. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2022.0690.
	CHENG Z X, CAO W, HU B, et al. Thermal runaway and explosion propagation characteristics of large lithium iron phosphate battery for energy storage station[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(3): 923-933. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2022.0690.
7	JIA Z Z, WANG S P, QIN P, et al. Comparative investigation of the thermal runaway and gas venting behaviors of large-format LiFePO₄ batteries caused by overcharging and overheating[J]. Journal of Energy Storage, 2023, 61: 106791. DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2023.106791.
8	张青松, 赵洋, 刘添添. 荷电状态和电池排列对锂离子电池热失控传播的影响[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2022, 11(8): 2519-2525. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2022.0177.
	ZHANG Q S, ZHAO Y, LIU T T. Effects of state of charge and battery layout on thermal runaway propagation in lithium-ion batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2022, 11(8): 2519-2525. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2022.0177.
9	王庭华, 翟宏举, 秦鹏, 等. 模组箱体空间内磷酸铁锂电池热失控及其传播行为研究[J]. 火灾科学, 2022, 31(1): 25-34. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5309.2022.01.04.
	WANG T H, ZHAI H J, QIN P, et al. Study on the thermal runaway and its propagation behaviors of lithium iron phosphate battery in module box space[J]. Fire Safety Science, 2022, 31(1): 25-34. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-5309.2022.01.04.
10	ZHOU Z Z, ZHOU X D, JU X Y, et al. Experimental study of thermal runaway propagation along horizontal and vertical directions for LiFePO₄ electrical energy storage modules[J]. Renewable Energy, 2023, 207: 13-26. DOI: 10.1016/j.renene. 2023.03.004.
11	SONG L F, HUANG Z H, MEI W X, et al. Thermal runaway propagation behavior and energy flow distribution analysis of 280 Ah LiFePO₄ battery[J]. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2023, 170: 1066-1078. DOI: 10.1016/j.psep. 2022.12.082.
12	WANG G Q, KONG D P, PING P, et al. Modeling venting behavior of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway propagation by coupling CFD and thermal resistance network[J]. Applied Energy, 2023, 334: 120660. DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy. 2023.120660.
13	王俊, 贾壮壮, 秦鹏, 等. 磷酸铁锂离子电池模组热失控气体扩散仿真[J]. 储能科学与技术, 2022, 11(1): 185-192. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2021.0193.
	WANG J, JIA Z Z, QIN P, et al. Simulation of thermal runaway gas diffusion in LiFePO₄ battery module[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2022, 11(1): 185-192. DOI: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2021.0193.
14	朱艳丽, 徐艺博, 王聪杰, 等. 不同荷电状态磷酸铁锂电池热失控温度与产气特性分析[J]. 安全与环境学报, 2024, 24(1): 143-151. DOI: 10.13637/j.issn.1009-6094.2023.0588.
	ZHU Y L, XU Y B, WANG C J, et al. Analysis of thermal runaway temperature and gas production characteristics of lithium iron phosphate batteries with different states of charge[J]. Journal of Safety and Environment, 2024, 24(1): 143-151. DOI: 10.13637/j.issn.1009-6094.2023.0588.

参数	数值
尺寸(宽×高×厚)/mm	174×207×72
标称容量/Ah	280
标称能量/Wh	896
工作电压/V	2.5~3.65
重量/kg	5.70
荷电状态/%	100

[1]	Zheng KOU, Zhenlong WANG. Effect analysis of energy storage equipment in the field of power Internet of Things [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2024, 13(8): 2785-2787.
[2]	Lijun XU, Lihong XU, Fangyuxuan SONG. System fault monitoring and diagnostic analysis of electrochemical energy storage power stations [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2024, 13(8): 2788-2790.
[3]	Chu ZHANG, Dongcai CHEN, Xiangping CHEN, Yongxiang CAI. Economic benefit analysis of optimal allocation of energy storage in multiple application scenarios [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2024, 13(6): 2078-2088.
[4]	Kun ZENG, Xiaoyan ZHENG, Huiling GONG, Bo ZOU, Kai CHEN, Zhongna YAN. Research progress in liquid metal batteries based on lithium negative electrodes [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2024, 13(1): 299-310.
[5]	Su YAN, Fangfang ZHONG, Junwei LIU, Mei DING, Chuankun JIA. Key materials and advanced characterization of high-energy-density flow battery [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2024, 13(1): 143-156.
[6]	Yimei OUYANG, Mengmeng ZHAO, Guiming ZHONG, Zhangquan PENG. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for probing interfaces in electrochemical energy storage systems [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2024, 13(1): 157-166.
[7]	Libo ZHANG, Gege WANG. Topic identification， evolution， and risk analysis of electrochemical energy storage battery technology [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(8): 2680-2692.
[8]	Qingsong ZHANG, Fangwei BAO, Jiangjao NIU. Risk analysis method of thermal runaway gas explosion in lithium-ion batteries [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(7): 2263-2270.
[9]	Qinpei CHEN, Xuehui WANG, Wenzhong MI. Experiential study on the toxic and explosive characteristics of thermal runaway gas generated in electric-vehicle lithium-ion battery systems [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(7): 2256-2262.
[10]	Guangjin ZHAO, Bowen LI, Yuxia HU, Ruifeng DONG, Fangfang WANG. Overview of the echelon utilization technology and engineering application of retired power batteries [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(7): 2319-2332.
[11]	Zhixiang CHENG, Wei CAO, Bo HU, Yunfang CHENG, Xin LI, Lihua JIANG, Kaiqiang JIN, Qingsong WANG. Thermal runaway and explosion propagation characteristics of large lithium iron phosphate battery for energy storage station [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(3): 923-933.
[12]	Jun SHENG, Yimin FU, Huigen YU. Structure simulation of large soft pack module for energy storage [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(2): 579-584.
[13]	Xuanliang ZHANG, Ting HE, Wenlong ZHU, Shen WANG, Jianhua ZENG, Quan XU, Yingchun NIU. A SOH estimation model for energy storage batteries based on multiple cycle features [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(11): 3488-3498.
[14]	Yang LIU, Weijun TENG, Qingfa GU, Xin SUN, Yuliang TAN, Zhijin FANG, Jianlin LI. Scaled-up diversified electrochemical energy storage LCOE and its economic analysis [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2023, 12(1): 312-318.
[15]	Hong LI, Qiang ZHANG. A review of energy storage science and technology projects supported by national key R&D program [J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2022, 11(9): 2691-2701.