Battery Thermal Runaway Mitigation via Phase-Change Pouch

The invention divides the storage package into multiple compartments, with each compartment capable of containing a single battery or a small group of batteries. This segmentation prevents thermal runaway from spreading across the entire package, as the fire-resistant walls between compartments block the propagation of heat, flames, and gases. Each compartment acts as an independent containment zone, maintaining storage efficiency while mitigating chain reaction risks.

The invention introduces fire-resistant barriers and thermal insulation materials as intermediary elements between adjacent batteries. These intermediaries act as thermal buffers that absorb and block heat transfer, preventing the thermal runaway process from propagating from one battery to another. The fire-resistant materials serve as mediators that maintain physical contact between batteries for storage efficiency while blocking harmful thermal and chemical interactions.

The invention implements different material properties in different regions of the storage package. Thermal insulation materials with high heat resistance are placed between adjacent batteries to block heat transfer, while heat dissipation structures such as ventilation channels and thermally conductive surfaces are provided at strategic locations to facilitate heat removal. This local differentiation allows high storage density while maintaining adequate heat dissipation capability through spatially optimized thermal management.

The invention addresses heat dissipation by introducing vertical and lateral ventilation channels that create three-dimensional heat flow paths. Instead of relying solely on horizontal spacing between batteries, the design incorporates vertical airflow passages and lateral heat sinks that enable heat to escape in multiple dimensions. This dimensional approach allows batteries to be stored in close proximity while maintaining effective heat dissipation through multi-directional thermal management.

The invention utilizes phase change materials (PCMs) with specific melting points selected to match the thermal runaway temperature thresholds of lithium-ion batteries. The pouch material is engineered to undergo phase transition at predetermined temperatures (e.g., 100-200°C), absorbing large amounts of latent heat during melting. This parameter-based approach allows the pouch to maintain structural integrity at normal operating temperatures while providing intensive cooling through phase change when thermal runaway occurs, effectively resolving the contradiction between strength and cooling effectiveness.

The invention employs composite pouch structures combining multiple material layers with complementary properties. The pouch consists of an outer structural layer providing mechanical strength and containment, an intermediate thermal insulation layer reducing heat transfer, and an inner phase change material layer providing active cooling. This composite construction integrates materials with different functions, allowing the pouch to maintain structural strength while delivering effective cooling through the synergistic interaction of its multi-layer composition.