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Ventilation for Lithium-Ion Battery Off-Gassing?

10/12/2022

10 Comments

 
[Moderator's note: since the first lithium battery question a few weeks ago, we've been flooded with more questions on the topic. We'll do our best to not overburden everyone here but still keep with the topics people are asking. As always, we're thankful for you all!]

Could anybody point out some publications that deal specifically with the ventilation of lithium-ion batteries during off-gassing and how the ventilation should be controlled?

I am familiar with FM Global Loss Prevention Datasheet, and NFPA 855, and I went through some publications such as FIA, however from those I only get that there should be sufficient ventilation.

I am more interested in the off-gas detection part of the design.

The ventilation should be turned on and ESS turned off at the first sign of explosive gasses, but what gasses should those be?

H2, CO, C2H4, CH4, or all mentioned in a combination?

Not sure how to proceed in this.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe
10 Comments
Christopher Nelson
10/12/2022 08:11:11 am

Not so much a standard but Honeywell has a new device called Li-ion Tamer which is directed to detect off gasing to facility early shutdown of power to prevent Thermal Runaway.
Hope this helps!

Reply
Christopher Nelson
10/12/2022 08:13:55 am

Focuses on the vented electrolyte liquid rather than products of combustion as that the vented liquid occurs before TR.

Reply
Dan Wilder
10/12/2022 08:47:08 am

NFPA 67, 91, 329, 820 all touch on the subject, but in this case, the hazard is too new to have a standard directly for this situation. It would take review of several other standard approaches to come up with a prescriptive/methodology-based approach (likely from an FPE or specialized ME).

Chapter 3
https://liiontamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019-1025-Technical-Reference-for-Li-ion-Battery-Explosion-Risk-and-Fire-Suppression-Rev-4.pdf

https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/NFPA-Today/Blog-Posts/2020/07/31/arizona-ess-explosion-investigation-and-line-of-duty-injury-reports-now-available

Page 19 for a list of previous incidents
https://www.aps.com/-/media/APS/APSCOM-PDFs/About/Our-Company/Newsroom/McMickenFinalTechnicalReport.ashx

Reply
Tim
10/12/2022 09:28:22 am

NFPA 20 the use of OS&Y valves

NFPA 20 Chapter 4.16.5 indicates that an OS&Y outside screw and yoke gate valve only shall be used on the suction side of a pump.

Further in the document NFPA 20 also indicate that OS&Y gate valves only shall be used closer than 50 ft of on suction from pump inlet flange.

There must be a technical reason why can someone enlighten me?

Tim

Reply
Moderator
10/12/2022 10:31:35 am

Hi Tim,

If you'd like to submit a new question, we'd be happy to receive it. Posting here won't get as much traffic as opening up a new question.

Anyone can submit a question here, for free:
https://www.meyerfire.com/forum-post.html

There's also a button on the right-hand side of the Forum for this too.

Thanks Tim!

MeyerFire Team

Reply
Alex
10/12/2022 10:42:58 am

Hi Tim,

That is based on the operation of the valves. When an OS&Y is in the open position, the gate is entirely out of the path of water. In contrast, a butterfly valve's disk remains within the water way, obstructing the flow of water, even when open. This creates turbulence within the pipe.

Thanks,
Alex

Reply
Jesse
10/12/2022 09:31:04 am

Dan's right in that the risk is too new. Like it or not, ours is a reactionary industry. If you've ever served on a NFPA technical committee you know what I mean.

We learn from our losses. And that learning curve is in what "doesn't work" more so than what does work.

You'll see standards in the coming years. In the meantime, we use sound engineering judgment and the existing codes and standards to try to mitigate the risk.

Reply
Matt C
10/12/2022 09:35:31 am

I suppose what you're looking to detect will be related to whatever battery chemistry you're dealing with. I do believe that H2 is a common one, though. There are multi-gas/multi-criteria detection devices available and pretty anything can be tied into a fire alarm system or building automation system nowadays. At early signs of off-gasing you could start ventilating the compartment to keep concentrations low or at safer levels - since you're dealing with flammable/combustible gases make sure the equipment in the space is intrinsically safe, and "explosion proof". Couple this with the Li-Ion Tamer (which I have heard good things about) if the batteries are in an ESS arrangement. The Li-Ion Tamer attempts to prevent the batteries in the system from getting to thermal runaway, however if they do then the exhaust fan (or inert gas system, maybe?) can kick in to reduce the concentrations to a desired level. I dunno just 'spitballing' here.

Also, as a related side note - has the new edition of the IFC been published yet? It's not used in my jurisdiction BUT there are requirements being added which deal with both battery storage and ESS. The requirements are quite hefty. I'm sure there's at least a draft floating around out there and I really do recommend checking it out.

Reply
Aviv link
10/12/2022 11:15:48 am

The 2021 IFC added a whole new section to address ESS (1207), which is quite comprehensive (though still evolving, obviously). It only kicks into effect when the MAQs stated in Table 1207.1.1. is exceeded. Gas detection is only required if used for activation of the exhaust system (1207.6.1.2.4); however, for Li-Ion specifically (MAQ of 20 kWh), exhaust ventilation is not directly required but explosion prevention/ explosion control is.
So, for example, gas detection could be used to activate an exhaust system for explosion prevention (via the 25% of LFL method), even though not directly required.
The way I would approach it would be to provide the UL9540A test results to whatever manufacturer you're working with to and asking if what products they might have that would suite the specific gas mixture composition observed in testing.

Reply
Colin Triming
10/12/2022 10:29:52 am

This is link to a one hour class that talks about all things lithium ion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUqS6beG52w

Reply



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