Research on fire propagation characteristics and energy transfer mechanisms during the triggering process in double-layer energy storage batteries

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2025.0140

Abstract

Abstract:

In energy storage power stations, vertically arranged battery modules are commonly used. When thermal runaway gas produced by lower-layer batteries ignites, it can induce fire propagation to the upper-layer batteries. To investigate the fire propagation characteristics and energy transfer mechanisms during this triggering process, this study employed 100 Ah lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries as the research object. Three sets of fire propagation experiments were designed using double-layer battery modules with one, two, and three batteries per layer. The bottom batteries were heated to induce venting, and the thermal runaway gas was actively ignited. Experimental phenomena and temperature variations were recorded, and the temperature rise rates and stages were analyzed. Additionally, the cumulative energy transferred from each bottom battery to the top battery during fire propagation was quantitatively examined, and heat transfer via different paths was decoupled. Results indicate that three bottom batteries can simultaneously trigger thermal runaway in the top batteries. The maximum temperature rise of the top batteries was 115.9℃ (22.1%) higher than that of the bottom batteries, and the maximum temperature rise rate was 6.5 ℃/s (86.7%) higher. Prior to thermal runaway, the top batteries exhibited three temperature rise stages, with the average temperature rise rate during the flame jet stage approximately double that of the flame baking stage. During fire propagation, the cumulative energy transferred from the three bottom batteries to the top battery was 249.1 kJ, 334.3 kJ, and 379.7 kJ, respectively. Heat transfer through the bottom surface accounted for 47.5%, while transfer through the side surface accounted for 52.5%. This study provides important guidance and scientific support for the safety design of energy storage battery systems and fire propagation suppression.

Key words: energy storage power station, lithium iron phosphate batteries, thermal runaway, fire propagation

CLC Number:

TM 912

Chengshan XU, Han LI, Yan WANG, Languang LU, Xuning FENG, Minggao OUYANG. Research on fire propagation characteristics and energy transfer mechanisms during the triggering process in double-layer energy storage batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2025, 14(9): 3552-3563.

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参数	数值
标称容量	100 Ah
质量	(2245±5) g
尺寸	130 mm×36 mm×211.8 mm
正极	磷酸铁锂
负极	石墨
标称电压	3.2 V
截止电压上限	3.65 V
截止电压下限	2.5 V
荷电状态	100%
大面导热系数	21.24 W/(m·℃)

组别	方案	是否发生火蔓延
实验1(未蔓延组)	上下各1节电池	否
实验2(未蔓延组)	上下各2节电池	否
实验3(火蔓延组)	上下各3节电池	是

特征温度	T₁	T₂	T_v
含义	自产热温度	热失控起始温度	排气温度
数值	116.6 ℃	179.7 ℃	158.4 ℃