A battery tank for large energy storage system

Abstract

The present application provides a battery tank for a large energy storage system, including a shell, a lithium battery module, a partition, a positioning plate, and a high-level liquid tank, wherein the battery tank is divided into an electrical chamber, a cooling chamber, and a fire-fighting chamber by the partition and the positioning plate. There are multiple heat pipes in the cooling chamber, and the heat pipes are located in the lithium battery module, close to the outer shell of the battery core. One end of the heat pipe is connected to the fire-fighting chamber, and the fire-fighting liquid is the phase change material of the heat pipe. An explosion relief component is provided at the center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module, and an explosion relief channel is provided between the partition and the explosion relief device. When thermal runaway occurs, the explosion relief component will rupture, allowing the fire-fighting liquid to enter the lithium battery module through the explosion relief channel, and the effects of cooling, pressure relief, and termination of thermal runaway and thermal runaway spread are achieved by non-active means, thereby eliminating the risk of thermal runaway of the lithium battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to a battery tank for a large energy storage system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, lithium battery technology has developed rapidly and has been used in more and more fields. However, due to the principle and structural characteristics of lithium batteries, they often generate a lot of heat due to internal resistance during repeated use, and the heat will gradually increase. If the temperature rises further, the electrolyte and solvent inside will decompose, burn, and explode.

[0003] Traditional cooling systems mainly use forced ventilation, water cooling and natural convection cooling, all of which have certain application defects: forced ventilation and water cooling require fans, pumps, pipelines and other accessories, which make the structure bulky and complex. In addition, air cooling will affect the sealing of the lithium battery module package, and water cooling is too expensive and requires corresponding insulation treatment. They also consume battery energy and reduce the actual power density and energy density of the battery. Natural convection cooling is to optimize the battery pack structure to achieve the most efficient air cooling. The cooling effect is very limited when the air convection is not good.

[0004] CN112421159A discloses a high-energy lithium battery and a large energy storage system including the lithium battery. The lithium battery is immersed in a heat-conducting liquid for liquid cooling and heat dissipation. An explosion relief component is provided under the lithium battery housing. When thermal runaway occurs, the explosion relief component ruptures, allowing the flammable substances in the battery to be quickly guided into the fire-fighting cavity.

[0005] Both CN105633509A and CN106935937A utilize heat pipes for heat dissipation, and the condensation section of the heat pipes extends into the coolant, but neither is provided with an explosion relief device or an explosion relief channel. When thermal runaway of the battery occurs, it is impossible to prevent and control it in time, and the cavities with different functions are not separated.

[0006] The battery can support plate of the present application is provided with an explosion relief channel between the explosion relief component. After the explosion relief component of the lithium battery module ruptures, the fire-fighting fluid enters the lithium battery module through the explosion relief channel, thereby terminating thermal runaway and the spread of thermal runaway in a passive manner; the battery can is divided into three cavities, namely, an electrical cavity, a cooling cavity and a fire-fighting cavity, by a positioning plate and a support plate. The positive and negative electrodes of the lithium battery module are connected to the electrical cavity by wires. A control unit is provided in the electrical cavity, and the structure is more excellent; there are multiple heat pipes in the cooling cavity of the present application. The heat pipes are located in the lithium battery module, close to the outer shell of the battery cell, and the condensation section of the heat pipe extends into the fire-fighting cavity, so that a good heat dissipation effect is achieved by using the heat pipes.

[0007] The technical means of this application are significantly different from those of the above-mentioned patent documents, and achieve better heat dissipation and fire-fighting effects. Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of the present application is to solve at least the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages which will be described hereinafter.

[0009] The present application provides a battery tank for a large energy storage system, including a lithium battery module, a shell, a partition and a positioning plate, the battery tank is divided into an electrical chamber, a cooling chamber and a fire fighting chamber by the partition and the positioning plate, the lithium battery module includes a shell, an upper cover, a lower cover and at least one battery cell, characterized in that there are multiple heat pipes in the cooling chamber, the heat pipes are located in the lithium battery module, and are arranged close to the shell of the battery cell, one end of the heat pipe is connected to the fire fighting chamber, and the fire fighting chamber is filled with fire fighting coolant that can be used as a phase change material for the heat pipe. Furthermore, a positioning device is provided at the corresponding position of the positioning plate and the lithium battery module.

[0010] Furthermore, a pressure relief valve is provided at the bottom of the fire-fighting chamber.

[0011] Furthermore, the shell is made of aluminum alloy, or a metal material or non-metal material having a strength equivalent to that of aluminum alloy.

[0012] Furthermore, an explosion relief component is provided at the center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module, an explosion relief channel is provided between the partition and the explosion relief device, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower cover of the lithium battery module is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the explosion relief channel, so that the lithium battery module is sealed on the partition under the action of its own gravity. When thermal runaway occurs, the explosion relief component will rupture, allowing the fire-fighting fluid to enter the lithium battery module through the explosion relief channel.

[0013] Furthermore, an end face sealing gasket is provided in the horizontal direction at the connection between the lithium battery module and the explosion relief channel.

[0014] Furthermore, a radial sealing ring is provided in the vertical direction at the connection between the lithium battery module and the explosion relief channel.

[0015] Furthermore, each battery cell in the lithium battery module is provided with a first explosion relief unit; when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell, the first explosion relief unit on the battery cell is activated, and the substances generated by the thermal runaway are sprayed out of the battery cell and buffered in the lithium battery module; when the pressure in the lithium battery module reaches a threshold, the explosion relief component at the center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module is activated, opening the explosion relief channel, so that the fire-fighting fluid enters the lithium battery module through the explosion relief channel under the action of the liquid level difference of the high-level liquid tank.

[0016] Optionally, there is an electrical cavity above the positioning plate, a cooling cavity between the positioning plate and the partition, and a fire-fighting cavity below the partition; the fire-fighting cavity is arranged at the lower part of the battery tank, and the fire-fighting cavity is connected to a high-level liquid tank through a liquid inlet pipe, and the high-level liquid tank is arranged in the electrical cavity, and the high-level liquid tank is filled with a fire-fighting coolant that can be used as a phase change material for a heat pipe.

[0017] Optionally, there is an electrical cavity below the positioning plate, a cooling cavity between the positioning plate and the partition, and a fire-fighting cavity above the partition; the fire-fighting cavity is arranged on the upper part of the battery tank, and is filled with a fire-fighting coolant that can be used as a phase change material for a heat pipe.

[0018] Furthermore, a maintenance valve is provided on the liquid inlet pipe connected to the fire-fighting chamber.

[0019] Optionally, the fire-fighting coolant is perfluorohexanone.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. The battery tank for a large energy storage system provided in the present application, wherein the lithium battery module is sealed under the action of its own gravity; an end face seal and a radial sealing ring are provided in the horizontal direction at the connection between the lithium battery module and the explosion relief channel to enhance the sealing effect.

[0022] 2. The battery tank for a large energy storage system provided in the present application has a plurality of heat pipes in the cooling cavity. The heat pipes are located in the lithium battery module and are close to the outer shell of the battery cell. The heat generated by the lithium battery module is promptly discharged by using the heat pipes.

[0023] 3. In the battery tank for a large energy storage system provided in the present application, one end of the heat pipe is connected to the fire-fighting cavity, and the fire-fighting fluid is the phase change material of the heat pipe.

[0024] 4. The battery tank for a large energy storage system provided in the present application has an explosion relief channel between the support plate and the explosion relief component. The cross-sectional area of ​​the explosion relief channel is large, and a pressure relief hole is opened at the upper cover of the battery module. When thermal runaway occurs, the explosion relief gas can be discharged smoothly, and the fire-fighting fluid can also be fully poured into the lithium battery module to ensure that the liquid level inside and outside the lithium battery module is consistent.

[0025] 5. The battery tank for a large-scale energy storage system provided in the present application has fire-fighting fluid in the fire-fighting cavity and the high-level liquid tank. When thermal runaway occurs, the explosion-relief component will rupture, allowing the fire-fighting fluid to enter the lithium battery module through the explosion-relief channel under the action of the liquid level difference in the high-level liquid tank, thereby achieving the effects of cooling, pressure relief, and termination of thermal runaway and thermal runaway spread through passive means, thereby eliminating the risk of thermal runaway of the lithium battery module.

[0026] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present application will be reflected in part through the following description, and in part will be understood by those skilled in the art through study and practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the battery can provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 2 This is the second structural schematic diagram of the battery can provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 3 This is the third structural schematic diagram of the battery can provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the partial structure of a lithium battery module of a battery can provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 5 This is one of the partial structural schematic diagrams of the explosion venting and sealing parts of the battery can provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 6 The second schematic diagram of the partial structure of the explosion venting and sealing parts of the battery can provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Description of reference numerals:

[0035] 1-shell, 2-positioning plate, 3-partition, 4-radial sealing ring, 5-end face seal, 6-explosion relief component, 7-lithium battery module, 8-electrical cavity, 9-cooling cavity, 10-firefighting cavity, 11-heat pipe, 12-explosion relief channel, 13-high-level liquid tank, 14-liquid inlet pipe, 15-inspection valve, 16-pressure relief valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can implement it according to the description.

[0037] It should be understood that terms such as “having”, “including” and “comprising” used herein do not specify the existence or addition of one or more other elements or combinations thereof.

[0038] The technical solution of the present application is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] The battery tank for a large energy storage system provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 1, Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, it includes a housing 1, a positioning plate 2, a partition 3, a radial sealing ring 4, an end face sealing member 5, an explosion relief component 6, a lithium battery module 7, an electrical chamber 8, a cooling chamber 9, a fire chamber 10, a heat pipe 11, an explosion relief channel 12, a high-level liquid tank 13, a liquid inlet pipe 14, a check valve 15, and a pressure relief valve 16. In the embodiment of the present application, the battery tank is divided into an electrical chamber 8, a cooling chamber 9, and a fire chamber 10 by means of a positioning plate 2 and a partition 3. The electrical chamber 8 is located above the cooling chamber 9, and the fire chamber 10 is located below the cooling chamber 9. The fire chamber 10 contains perfluorohexanone and is connected to the high-level liquid tank 13 through a liquid inlet pipe 14. A check valve 15 is provided on the liquid inlet pipe, and a pressure relief valve 16 is provided at the bottom of the fire chamber 10 and at the top of the high-level liquid tank 13. The lithium battery module 8 is a cylindrical battery module, including a shell, an upper cover, a lower cover and a battery cell. An explosion relief component 6 is arranged at the center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module 7. An explosion relief channel 12 is arranged between the partition 3 and the explosion relief component 6. The cross-sectional area of ​​the lower cover of the lithium battery module 7 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the explosion relief channel 12, so that the lithium battery module 7 is sealed on the support plate 4 under the action of its own gravity. The connection between the lithium battery module 7 and the explosion relief channel 12 has an end face seal 5 in the horizontal direction and a radial seal ring 4 in the vertical direction to enhance the sealing effect. The positioning plate 2 is arranged above the battery can, and a positioning device is arranged at a position corresponding to the lithium battery module 7. The positive and negative electrodes of the lithium battery module 7 are connected to the electrical cavity 8 above the positioning plate 2 by wires. A control unit is arranged in the electrical cavity 8, and the control unit is: a battery management system, a bus bar and an energy storage converter.

[0041] A first explosion relief unit is also provided on each battery cell in the lithium battery module; when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell, the first explosion relief unit on the battery cell is activated, and the substances generated by the thermal runaway flow out from the explosion relief port of the battery cell and are buffered in the lithium battery module; when the pressure in the lithium battery module reaches a threshold value, the explosion relief component 6 at the center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module 7 is activated, and the explosion relief channel 12 is opened, so that the fire-fighting liquid enters the lithium battery module 8 through the explosion relief channel 12 under the action of the liquid level difference of the high-level liquid tank 13, and the effects of cooling, pressure relief and termination of thermal runaway and thermal runaway spread are achieved by non-active means.

[0042] The upper cover of the lithium battery module is also provided with at least one pressure relief hole, which can allow the explosion relief gas to be discharged smoothly when thermal runaway occurs, and can also balance the internal and external pressures, so that the fire-fighting liquid can fully flow back into the lithium battery module, ensuring that the liquid level height inside and outside the lithium battery module is consistent.

[0043] There are multiple heat pipes 11 in the cooling cavity 9, and the heat pipes 11 are located in the lithium battery module 7, close to the shell of the battery cell in the lithium battery module 7, and one end of the heat pipe 11 is connected to the fire fighting cavity 10, so as to conduct away the heat generated by the lithium battery module 7. The fire fighting fluid is perfluorohexanone, which can also be used as the phase change material of the heat pipe 11.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] The battery tank for a large energy storage system provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 As shown, it includes a housing 1, a positioning plate 2, a partition 3, a radial sealing ring 4, an end face sealing member 5, an explosion relief component 6, a lithium battery module 7, an electrical cavity 8, a cooling cavity 9, a fire cavity 10, a heat pipe 11, an explosion relief channel 12, and a pressure relief valve 16. In the embodiment of the present application, the battery can is divided into an electrical cavity 8, a cooling cavity 9, and a fire cavity 10 by means of the positioning plate 2 and the partition 3. The electrical cavity 8 is below the cooling cavity 9, and the fire cavity 10 is above the cooling cavity 9.

[0046] The fire-fighting chamber 10 contains perfluorohexanone, and the fire-fighting chamber 10 is connected to a pressure relief valve 16. The lithium battery module 8 is a cylindrical battery module, including a shell, an upper cover, a lower cover and a battery cell. The center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module 7 is provided with an explosion relief component 6, and an explosion relief channel 12 is provided between the partition 3 and the explosion relief component 6. The cross-sectional area of ​​the lower cover of the lithium battery module 7 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the explosion relief channel 12, so that the lithium battery module 7 is sealed on the support plate 4 under the action of its own gravity. The connection between the lithium battery module 7 and the explosion relief channel 12 has an end face seal 5 in the horizontal direction and a radial seal ring 4 in the vertical direction to enhance the sealing effect. The positioning plate 2 is arranged above the battery can, and a positioning device is arranged at a position corresponding to the lithium battery module 7. The positive and negative electrodes of the lithium battery module 7 are connected to the electrical chamber 8 above the positioning plate 2 by wires. A control unit is arranged in the electrical chamber 8, and the control unit is: a battery management system, a bus bar and an energy storage converter.

[0047] Each battery cell in the lithium battery module is also provided with a first explosion relief unit; when a battery cell has thermal runaway, the first explosion relief unit on the battery cell is activated, and the substances generated by the thermal runaway flow out from the explosion relief port of the battery cell and are buffered in the lithium battery module; when the pressure in the lithium battery module reaches the threshold, the explosion relief component 6 at the center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module 7 is activated, and the explosion relief channel 12 is opened, so that perfluorohexanone enters the lithium battery module 8 through the explosion relief channel 12 under the action of its own gravity, and the effects of cooling, pressure relief, and termination of thermal runaway and thermal runaway spread are achieved by non-active means. There are multiple heat pipes 11 in the cooling chamber 9, and the heat pipes 11 are located in the lithium battery module 7, close to the outer shell of the battery cell in the lithium battery module 7, and one end of the heat pipe 11 is connected to the fire fighting chamber 10 to timely export the heat generated by the lithium battery module 7. The perfluorohexanone in the fire fighting chamber 10 can be used as a fire fighting cooling medium, and can also be used as a phase change material for the heat pipe 11.

[0048] Although the embodiments of the present application have been disclosed as above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and the embodiments. It can be fully applied to various fields suitable for the present application. For those familiar with the art, additional modifications can be easily realized. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and the equivalent scope, the present application is not limited to the specific details and the illustrations shown and described here.

Claims

1. A battery tank for a large energy storage system, comprising a lithium battery module, a shell, a partition and a positioning plate, wherein the battery tank is divided into an electrical chamber, a cooling chamber and a fire fighting chamber by the partition and the positioning plate, wherein the lithium battery module comprises a shell, an upper cover, a lower cover and at least one battery cell, characterized in that: There are multiple heat pipes in the cooling cavity, the heat pipes are located in the lithium battery module and are arranged close to the outer shell of the battery core, one end of the heat pipe is connected to the fire-fighting cavity, and the fire-fighting cavity is filled with a fire-fighting coolant that can be used as a phase change material for the heat pipe; an explosion-relief component is arranged at the center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module, an explosion-relief channel is arranged between the partition and the explosion-relief component, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower cover of the lithium battery module is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the explosion-relief channel, so that the lithium battery module is sealed on the partition under the action of its own gravity; A first explosion relief unit is also provided on each battery cell in the lithium battery module; when a battery cell has thermal runaway, the first explosion relief unit on the battery cell is activated, and substances generated by the thermal runaway are sprayed out of the battery cell and buffered in the lithium battery module; when the pressure in the lithium battery module reaches a threshold, the explosion relief component at the center of the lower cover of the lithium battery module is activated, opening the explosion relief channel, so that the fire-fighting fluid enters the lithium battery module through the explosion relief channel under the action of the liquid level difference of the high-level liquid tank.

2. The battery can according to claim 1, wherein: A positioning device is arranged on the positioning plate at a position corresponding to each of the lithium battery modules.

3. The battery can according to claim 1, wherein: A pressure relief valve is arranged at the bottom of the fire fighting chamber.

4. The battery can according to claim 1, wherein: The shell is made of aluminum alloy, or a metal material or non-metal material having a strength equivalent to that of aluminum alloy.

5. The battery can according to claim 4, wherein: An end face sealing gasket is provided in the horizontal direction at the connection between the lithium battery module and the explosion relief channel.

6. The battery can according to claim 4, wherein: A radial sealing ring is provided in the vertical direction at the connection between the lithium battery module and the explosion relief channel.

7. The battery can according to claim 1, characterized in that: An electrical cavity is located above the positioning plate, a cooling cavity is located between the positioning plate and the partition, and a fire-fighting cavity is located below the partition; the fire-fighting cavity is arranged at the lower part of the battery tank, and the fire-fighting cavity is connected to a high-level liquid tank through a liquid inlet pipe, and the high-level liquid tank is arranged in the electrical cavity, and the high-level liquid tank is filled with a fire-fighting coolant that can be used as a phase change material for a heat pipe.

8. The battery can according to claim 1, characterized in that: An electrical cavity is provided below the positioning plate, a cooling cavity is provided between the positioning plate and the partition, and a fire-fighting cavity is provided above the partition; the fire-fighting cavity is arranged on the upper part of the battery tank, and is filled with a fire-fighting coolant which can be used as a phase change material for a heat pipe.

9. The battery can according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The fire-fighting coolant is perfluorohexanone.

10. The battery can according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: A maintenance valve is provided on the liquid inlet pipe connected to the fire-fighting chamber.

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