Battery Fire Suppression Sheet Using CO2-Releasing Powder Binder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measures for lithium ion battery fires focus on extinguishing fires after they occur, failing to prevent or suppress thermal runaway effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lithium ion battery fire suppressant comprising an extinguishing powder, such as sodium carbonate or potassium bicarbonate, and an organic binder, applied as a paste or molded into a pad, which decomposes to produce carbon dioxide and cationic metal ions to suffocate the fire and absorb radicals, preventing the spread of flames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fire extinguishing measures are used, then fire can be extinguished after it occurs, but thermal runaway cannot be prevented and the response time is too late
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant is applied to the battery surface in advance before thermal runaway occurs. The suppressant contains pre-formulated extinguishing agents and binders that are positioned ready to act. When thermal runaway begins, the suppressant immediately activates without requiring external application, thus performing the fire suppression action preliminarily prepared rather than reacting after fire establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppressant acts as an intermediary substance between the battery and the fire. It includes binding agents that adhere to the battery surface and carry fire suppressant particles. This intermediary layer detects thermal runaway conditions and mediates the suppression process by releasing extinguishing agents that interfere with the combustion chain reaction, preventing direct contact between oxygen and burning materials.
2Reliability
If fire suppressant is applied in advance, then thermal runaway can be suppressed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant system is designed to be self-activating without requiring external control systems, power sources, or complex application mechanisms. The suppressant naturally responds to thermal runaway conditions through temperature-dependent activation or direct contact with burning materials. This self-service approach maintains simplicity while achieving reliable thermal runaway suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppressant utilizes changes in physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, or chemical state to activate suppression mechanisms. For example, the binders may undergo phase changes or decomposition at elevated temperatures to release suppressant particles, or the suppressant composition is designed to change state under thermal stress. This parameter-based activation simplifies the system by using inherent material properties rather than complex control systems.
3Speed
If lithium vapor reacts with oxygen, then fire is generated rapidly, but the fire spreads too quickly to control
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant converts the harmful rapid combustion process into a beneficial controlled reaction. It introduces substances that promote alternative reaction pathways with lower heat release rates. The suppressant may facilitate lithium oxidation through controlled mechanisms that prevent explosive vaporization, or introduce materials that form protective layers on burning surfaces, thereby converting the inherently dangerous rapid fire generation into a manageable process.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire suppressant creates an inert or non-combustible environment around the burning battery by introducing particles or gases that displace oxygen and inhibit combustion. The suppressant may release inert gases through decomposition, or form protective char layers that create oxygen-deprived zones around burning materials. This inert atmosphere prevents the rapid lithium-vapor-oxygen combustion from sustaining, thereby controlling fire spread despite the inherent speed of lithium fire generation.
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 suppressant effectively mitigates lithium ion battery fires by cutting off oxygen supply and absorbing radicals, thereby suppressing the fire at an early stage and delaying thermal runaway, allowing for safe evacuation.
Implementation Method 1
decomposes to produce carbon dioxide and cationic metal ions
Implementation Method 2
absorb radicals, preventing the spread of flames
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a lithium ion battery fire suppressant capable of effectively suppressing a fire of a lithium ion battery and a lithium ion battery fire suppression sheet including the same. The lithium ion battery fire suppressant includes an extinguishing powder and an organic binder mixed with the extinguishing powder.