Battery Container Gas Venting and Flame Retardant Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation and storage of lithium batteries pose a risk of spontaneous combustion due to the generation of combustible gases, which can lead to chain reactions and explosions, especially in closed containers, and existing solutions like vermiculite are costly, time-consuming, and limit the container's capacity and recycling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A container with gas venting openings and a flame-retardant material layer, such as mineral wool or steel fibers, to safely release combustion gases and prevent external ignition, allowing for the safe transport and storage of lithium batteries without the need for fire-resistant fillers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vermiculite is used as insulating material, then spontaneous combustion propagation is prevented, but cost increases and placement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the fire-resistant filler from the container, eliminating the need for vermiculite placement entirely. The container relies on controlled gas venting through openings instead of surrounding each battery with insulating material, thus eliminating the time-consuming placement process while maintaining safety through a different mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces gas venting openings as an intermediary mechanism to manage combustion gases. Instead of using vermiculite to physically isolate batteries, the openings provide a controlled pathway for gas escape, preventing pressure buildup and explosion while avoiding the need for time-consuming manual placement of insulating material.
2Reliability
If vermiculite is used as insulating material, then spontaneous combustion propagation is prevented, but the amount of batteries that can fit into a container is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the fire-resistant filler entirely, the invention eliminates the space occupied by vermiculite. This allows maximum utilization of container volume for battery storage, increasing the quantity of batteries that can be transported or stored in each container while maintaining safety through gas venting openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the safety mechanism from physical isolation (vermiculite surrounding each battery) to pressure management (controlled gas venting through openings). This parameter change allows dense battery packing without compromising safety, as the openings provide collective protection for all batteries in the container.
3Reliability
If vermiculite is used as insulating material, then spontaneous combustion propagation is prevented, but vermiculite interferes with further processing and recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes vermiculite from the system entirely, eliminating the interference it causes during battery processing and recycling. Without vermiculite contamination, batteries can be processed and recycled more efficiently while safety is maintained through the gas venting openings in the container.
4Reliability
If closed container is used for transport and storage, then legal regulations are met, but explosion risk increases due to combustible gas accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful accumulation of combustible gases into a beneficial controlled venting process. By providing openings for gas escape, the container transforms the potential explosion hazard into a manageable gas release mechanism, maintaining closed container compliance while eliminating explosion risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows combustible gases to transition from a confined, pressurized state to an escaped, atmospheric state through the venting openings. This phase transition from enclosed gas pressure to open atmospheric release prevents explosion while maintaining regulatory compliance for closed container transport and storage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The container effectively prevents explosions by allowing safe gas release and extinguishes flames, ensuring the safety of the container and surrounding objects, while maintaining mechanical strength and allowing for efficient processing and recycling of batteries.
Implementation Method 1
one or more walls are provided with one or more openings for venting gas from the storage space to the outside air
Implementation Method 2
the container is provided with a layer of flame-retardant material extending over the one or more openings. This prevents flames, usually generated when batteries ignite, from passing through the openings outside the container
Data Source
AI summary
Container for the transport or storage of batteries, the container having an internal storage space having a volume, the container comprising walls surrounding the storage space on all sides, the container having a lid to close the storage space, wherein, in a state wherein the storage space is closed by the lid, the lid constitutes a top wall of the storage space, wherein one or more of said walls are provided with one or more openings for venting -gas under pressure from the storage space to the outside air, the one or more openings having a total surface area of at least 1.0 square centimeter per liter volume of the storage space, wherein a layer of flame-retardant material extends over the one or more openings, the flame-retardant material being made of steel fibers or mineral fibers.