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

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2024.0216

Abstract

Abstract:

Fire and explosion of energy storage systems caused by the thermal runaway (TR) of lithium-ion batteries restricts the development of the industry. To investigate the TR, its propagation behavior and explosion risk of large batteries and battery modules used for energy storage in the real scenarios, the 280 Ah lithium-ion battery and the 1P48S battery module were used as research objects, and experimental studies were conducted on the heat and gas production characteristics of battery cells, as well as the TR propagation characteristics of the real module under the condition of the thermal abuse. Based on results of gas production, 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 is 156.8L, and the explosion limit of the mixed gas is 6.9%~35.5%. The heat insulation plate installed inside the module effectively inhibit the TR propagation, the total of six battery cells without heat insulation plates experience TR, the highest surface temperature of battery cells exceeds 1200 ℃, and the TR propagation speed is in the range of 0.162~0.233mm/s, meanwhile the upper surface temperature of the module box can reach 281.3℃. Six cells experienced TR in the module will lead to a high explosion risk in the container-type energy storage system, thus the TR propagation should be controlled within two cells, but the process from venting to 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 safety design of the battery module and explosion-proof design of the energy storage system.

Key words: Electrochemical energy storage, Battery module, Thermal runway propagation, Explosion risk

CLC Number:

TM911

Ye CHEN, Jin LI, Houfu WU, Shaoyu ZHANG, Yuxi CHU, Ping ZHUO. Analysis on thermal runaway propagation and explosion risk of large battery module for energy storage[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, doi: 10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2024.0216.

Figures/Tables 15

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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

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