Battery Module Coolant Feed Structure for Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems fail to quickly detect abnormal heat in battery modules and effectively prevent the propagation of thermal runaway phenomena to other modules, posing safety risks due to inadequate cooling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system comprising a module stack with venting detectors and a coolant supplier that rapidly detects venting in battery modules and supplies a coolant to prevent thermal runaway, featuring a venting detector integrated within the coolant supplier and a network of channels and ducts for efficient coolant distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cooling system is designed considering heat generation amount, then the battery module can be cooled under normal conditions, but the system cannot quickly detect and respond to abnormal heat generation that leads to thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The venting detector is pre-positioned within the coolant supplier to detect venting gases before thermal runaway propagates. The system performs preliminary detection and readiness actions, so when abnormal heat occurs, the coolant can be supplied immediately without delay in detection or system activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting detector acts as an intermediary that detects the presence of venting gases emitted during abnormal heat generation. This intermediary detection mechanism provides early warning of thermal runaway conditions, enabling timely coolant supply before the situation escalates to dangerous levels.
2Reliability
If the thermal runaway phenomenon propagates to adjacent battery cells, then the temperature of the entire energy storage system increases rapidly, but the existing cooling system cannot prevent this propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent coolant suppliers, each responsible for specific battery modules. When thermal runaway is detected in one module, only the corresponding coolant supplier activates to supply coolant locally, rather than requiring a complex system-wide response. This segmentation enables targeted intervention with simpler overall system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system provides localized coolant supply to specific battery modules experiencing thermal runaway, rather than uniformly cooling the entire system. The venting detector within each coolant supplier enables local detection and local response, applying cooling precisely where needed to prevent propagation while maintaining simplicity in non-affected areas.
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 system effectively prevents thermal runaway by rapidly discharging gases and introducing coolants into affected battery modules, thereby preventing temperature escalation and ensuring safety across the entire energy storage system.
Implementation Method 1
the gas may be rapidly discharged to the outside due to the increase of internal pressure of the battery module
Implementation Method 2
supplying a coolant into the battery module where the venting occurs
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system includes a module stack having a plurality of battery modules stacked vertically; a venting detecting unit configured to detect a venting when the venting occurs in at least a part of the plurality of battery modules; and a coolant supplying unit configured to supply a coolant to a battery module at which a venting occurs when the venting of the battery module is detected by the venting detecting unit.