Battery Gas Neutralization Module for Flammable Atmosphere Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemical energy storage environments pose risks due to the release of combustible and toxic gases, which can lead to explosions and hazardous conditions, especially during thermal events or battery failures.
Innovation Solution
A neutralization and circulation module (NCM) that generates a combustion suppressant stream by selectively applying an oxygen-containing stream to a flammable intake stream, neutralizing combustible gases and maintaining a safe environment by reducing flammability limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If chemical energy storage units are used to store and provide energy, then energy availability and power supply capability are improved, but the risk of combustible gas release and explosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures combustible gases released from battery failures and uses them as fuel in a combustion chamber, converting the harmful explosive risk into a useful energy source that generates steam for power generation
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains an inert atmosphere in the containment vessel by controlling oxygen levels and using steam as a suppressant, preventing combustion gases from reaching flammable concentrations and eliminating explosion risks
2Productivity
If combustible gases are released during battery failures, then energy conversion capability is improved, but flammability and explosion hazards worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful combustible gases generated during battery failures into useful energy by burning them in a controlled combustion chamber to generate steam for driving turbines
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces steam as an intermediary substance that acts as both a combustion suppressant to prevent explosions and a heat transfer medium to capture energy from controlled combustion
3Productivity
If a combustion chamber is introduced to process combustible gases, then energy recovery capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple functions into integrated components: the combustion chamber serves both as a gas processing unit and a power generation engine, while the steam system simultaneously provides combustion suppression, heat transfer, and turbine drive functions
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generated in the system serves multiple purposes: it acts as a combustion suppressant in the containment vessel, a heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger, and a working fluid for power generation in the turbine
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 NCM effectively eliminates the flammable regime and maintains a safe environment by converting combustible gases into inert species, preventing fires and explosions, even as toxic and combustible gases are released.
Implementation Method 1
The reactor may, for example, selectively apply an oxygen-containing stream from an oxygen source to the intake stream to generate, from the stream containing combustible gases, a combustion suppressant gas stream
Implementation Method 2
A combustion chamber, positioned within the containment vessel, may be configured to burn a portion of the combustible combustion gases
Implementation Method 3
A heat exchanger may be configured to transfer heat from the hot combustion gases to generate steam
Implementation Method 4
The turbine may be configured to drive a generator
Implementation Method 5
The turbine may be configured to drive a generator
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a neutralization and circulation module (NCM) configured to generate a combustion suppressant stream from a flammable intake stream. In an illustrative example, the NCM includes an intake port and an output port, each in fluid communication with a chamber containing (electro)chemical energy storage units capable of emitting combustible gases. The NCM may, for example, include a reactor in fluid communication between the intake and output port. The reactor may, for example, selectively apply an oxygen-containing stream from an oxygen source to the intake stream to generate, from the stream containing combustible gases, a combustion suppressant gas stream that is discharged through the output port into the chamber such that an upper flammability limit approaches a lower flammability limit in the chamber. Various embodiments may advantageously eliminate a flammable regime in a chemical energy storage environment.