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Electrical Discharge Interaction with Lithium-Ion Battery Vent Gases: Investigations using High-Speed Imaging and Breakdown Analysis

Petersson, Alexander LU (2023) MVKM05 20231
Department of Energy Sciences
Abstract
The increasing drive for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation has made the electrification of cars a top priority in the energy and transportation sectors. Ensuring the safety of electrical vehicle (EV) batteries is of the utmost importance. This collaborative research project, conducted in partnership with Volvo Cars, focuses on optimizing battery safety by investigating the risks associated with battery fires.

This study focuses primarily on lithium-ion batteries and explores the possibility of electrical discharge within them, as well as ignition behaviors resulting from thermal runaway. By examining the combination of electrical discharge and combustible gases, the project delves into the uncertainties surrounding electrical... (More)
The increasing drive for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation has made the electrification of cars a top priority in the energy and transportation sectors. Ensuring the safety of electrical vehicle (EV) batteries is of the utmost importance. This collaborative research project, conducted in partnership with Volvo Cars, focuses on optimizing battery safety by investigating the risks associated with battery fires.

This study focuses primarily on lithium-ion batteries and explores the possibility of electrical discharge within them, as well as ignition behaviors resulting from thermal runaway. By examining the combination of electrical discharge and combustible gases, the project delves into the uncertainties surrounding electrical discharge as an ignition source in abused batteries to gain insights into associated risks and possible preventative design.

Through the use of high-speed imaging and laser diagnostics, two experiments were performed to assess this interaction. With one experiment focusing on electrical discharge through different gas media, and the other focusing on the behavior of the combustion of ignited vent gases, many significant aspects are investigated and analyzed. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insight for enhancing battery safety, and create a stepping stone into this relatively unstudied field. (Less)
Popular Abstract
Electrical Discharge Interaction with Lithium-Ion Battery Vent Gases: Investigations using High-Speed
Imaging and Breakdown Analysis
Popular Science Summary
Alexander Petersson

Due to the increasing motivation for sustainable and clean transportation, the electrification of
cars has become a top priority in the energy and transportation sectors. As the prevalence of
batteries continues to increase, safety becomes more important than ever. The work done in
the scope of thesis research is performed in collaboration with Volvo Cars and focuses on
optimizing battery safety in regards to electric vehicle battery fires. This research consisted of
designing, performing and analyzing two different experiments to further... (More)
Electrical Discharge Interaction with Lithium-Ion Battery Vent Gases: Investigations using High-Speed
Imaging and Breakdown Analysis
Popular Science Summary
Alexander Petersson

Due to the increasing motivation for sustainable and clean transportation, the electrification of
cars has become a top priority in the energy and transportation sectors. As the prevalence of
batteries continues to increase, safety becomes more important than ever. The work done in
the scope of thesis research is performed in collaboration with Volvo Cars and focuses on
optimizing battery safety in regards to electric vehicle battery fires. This research consisted of
designing, performing and analyzing two different experiments to further investigate the
ignition of battery vent gases due to electrical discharge occuring within the system.
Minimum breakdown voltage is the voltage value at which electrical discharge will occur in a
gas. This electrical discharge contains extremely concentrated heat, and in the presence of
combustible gases, can provide the ignition source required for combustion to begin.
Consequently, the lower the minimum breakdown voltage, the more likely it is that electrical
discharge will form. The first experiment done in this research investigated the effect of a
number of variables on this minimum breakdown voltage, including: gas flow rate, gas
temperature, gas composition, and electrode distance. The results of this experiment indicated
a strong dependency on synergistic effects within the gas molecules. The dependence on this
phenomena provides a stepping stone into further research and design surrounding electrical
vehicle battery design systems. Specifically, further research into battery geometry designs can
limit the occurrence of electrical discharge occuring due to geometric constraints, while
considering battery vent gases can limit the tendency for certain battery chemistries to produce
combustible battery vent gases.
The second experiment performed used high-speed imaging and laser diagnostics to investigate
the interaction between the electrical discharge and the battery vent gases, as well as the flame
behavior after ignition. This experiment was designed to better understand the risk associated
with battery fires that were caused by different gas compositions. As a result of this experiment,
it was determined that it is possible to analyze the electrical discharge-vent gas interaction, but
it would require a higher frame rate. Additionally, and most importantly, it was determined
using laser diagnostics that the combustion behavior of one of the gases analyzed (NCA gas) was
driven primarily by OH (hydroxide) radicals. This is significant because most venting systems and
extinguising methods consider oxygen driven combustion as the main reason for a flame.
Considering this information, it provides electrical vehicle battery manufacturers with an
incentive to further investigate the different factors that drive combustion for specific battery
chemistries. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Petersson, Alexander LU
supervisor
organization
course
MVKM05 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Electrical Discharge, Electrical Arc, Spark Discharge, Combustion, Ignition, Lithium-Ion Battery, Thermal Runaway, Vent Gases, Breakdown Voltage, Ionization, High-Speed Imaging
report number
LUTMDN/TMHP-23/5549-SE
ISSN
0282-1990
language
English
id
9133439
date added to LUP
2023-08-21 10:33:25
date last changed
2023-08-21 10:33:25
@misc{9133439,
  abstract     = {{The increasing drive for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation has made the electrification of cars a top priority in the energy and transportation sectors. Ensuring the safety of electrical vehicle (EV) batteries is of the utmost importance. This collaborative research project, conducted in partnership with Volvo Cars, focuses on optimizing battery safety by investigating the risks associated with battery fires. 

This study focuses primarily on lithium-ion batteries and explores the possibility of electrical discharge within them, as well as ignition behaviors resulting from thermal runaway. By examining the combination of electrical discharge and combustible gases, the project delves into the uncertainties surrounding electrical discharge as an ignition source in abused batteries to gain insights into associated risks and possible preventative design. 

Through the use of high-speed imaging and laser diagnostics, two experiments were performed to assess this interaction. With one experiment focusing on electrical discharge through different gas media, and the other focusing on the behavior of the combustion of ignited vent gases, many significant aspects are investigated and analyzed. The outcomes of this study provide valuable insight for enhancing battery safety, and create a stepping stone into this relatively unstudied field.}},
  author       = {{Petersson, Alexander}},
  issn         = {{0282-1990}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Electrical Discharge Interaction with Lithium-Ion Battery Vent Gases: Investigations using High-Speed Imaging and Breakdown Analysis}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}