Simulation study on thermal runaway explosion hazards of lithium iron phosphate batteries in prefabricated cabins of energy storage power stations

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2025.0340

Abstract

Abstract:

In recent years, numerous fire and explosion accidents have occurred in energy storage power stations due to battery thermal runaway, causing severe casualties and property losses. Therefore, improving the safety of energy storage systems is an urgent priority. In this study, a physical model of a prefabricated energy storage cabin was established using FLACS software to simulate the leakage, diffusion, and explosion processes of combustible gases released during the thermal runaway of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Characteristic parameters, including concentration distribution, explosion pressure, and flame morphology of combustible gases, were analyzed under varying leakage durations and ignition heights, and their impacts on the safety of energy storage power stations were evaluated. The results indicate that following LFP thermal runaway, combustible gases accumulate preferentially beneath the cabin roof. With longer leakage durations, the high-concentration zone expands downward, nearly filling the entire cabin within 7 s. During the early leakage stage (0—3 s), the probability of explosion is high, and the explosion intensity increases with rising gas concentration. At later stages, oxygen inside the cabin becomes insufficient, reducing the probability of explosion; however, the explosion intensity reaches its maximum when the ignition height is 1.75 m. These findings highlight that LFP thermal runaway in energy storage cabins poses considerable diffusion and explosion hazards, particularly during the initial leakage stage and at specific ignition heights. Therefore, the design of energy storage power stations should carefully account for gas diffusion and explosion characteristics, with optimized deployment of pressure relief panels and protective measures to mitigate fire and explosion risks.

Key words: energy storage power station, lithium iron phosphate battery, thermal runaway, gaseous diffusion, numerical simulation

CLC Number:

U 492.83

Shaogang ZHANG, Runxiao ZHANG, Xiliang NIE, Yufan TAN, Jiahao LIU, Jinhui WANG, Jianghong LIU, Beihua CONG. Simulation study on thermal runaway explosion hazards of lithium iron phosphate batteries in prefabricated cabins of energy storage power stations[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2025, 14(11): 4264-4273.

Figures/Tables 13

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Table 1

Table of Explosion Hazard Conditions"

工况序号	点火时刻( $τ$ )	泄漏持续时间( $∆ t$ )	扩散持续时间(t)	热失控电池模组数量	点火源位置
1	2 s	1 s	1 s	10	X=13.4 m， Y=5.61 m， Z=1.75 m
2	3 s	2 s	2 s
3	4 s	3 s	3 s

4	4 s	4 s	4 s	10	X=14.7 m， Y=5.7 m， Z=1.75 m
5					X=14.7 m， Y=5.7 m Z=1.45 m
6					X=14.7 m， Y=5.7 m， Z=1.15 m
7					X=14.7 m， Y=5.7 m， Z=0.85 m
8					X=14.7 m， Y=5.7 m， Z=0.55 m

Table 1

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