Electric Vehicle Batteries: The Hazards
Electric Vehicle Batteries (EVBs) represent a rapidly advancing technology that involves high concentrations of flammable liquids. As these industries evolve, regulatory codes often lag behind, making performance-based solutions essential to ensuring the safety of both workers and the public.
Failure of EVBs can pose significant hazards, including the release of toxic gases such as hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and hydrogen fluoride (HF), as well as the risk of fires and explosions due to the accumulation of flammable gases.
EVB failure is typically classified into four stages:
- Abuse
- Off-gas
- Smoke
- Fire.
Early detection of off-gassing is crucial to prevent thermal runaway—a condition where the rate of internal heat generation surpasses the rate of external heat dissipation. Proper management and detection systems are essential to mitigate these risks and enhance safety in facilities handling EVBs.
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April 19, 2019: The Arizona Public Service McMicken Energy Storage Facility in Surprise, AZ, which stores batteries for solar energy distribution, recently experienced an explosion related to electric vehicle batteries (EVBs). This incident resulted in injuries to eight firefighters.
September 20, 2022: At the PG&E substation in Monterey, CA, a Tesla Megapack battery caught fire, producing toxic fumes as it burned out. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the surrounding areas were affected by the hazardous smoke.
EVB: Methods of Protection
Given the significant health and safety hazards associated with electric vehicle batteries (EVBs), it is crucial to implement preventative measures to ensure proper protection. Addressing battery degradation early, during the “Golden Time,” is essential. Early warning gas detection equipment can identify the initial stages of thermal runaway as off-gassing begins.
EVB storage, research and development, manufacturing, test cells, and test chambers all require specialized gas detection systems capable of identifying various gaseous blends. Ino-Tek utilizes the Li-Ion Tamer Early Warning Thermal Runaway equipment to provide comprehensive protection across all sectors of the industry, enhancing safety and mitigating risks associated with EVB operations.
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