Firefighting Composition for Lithium Battery Thermal Runaway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current firefighting methods for lithium battery fires often result in short circuits due to the presence of salts, posing safety risks and inefficiencies in extinguishing or abating such fires.
Innovation Solution
A firefighting composition comprising a surfactant component with non-ionic surfactants, a polysaccharide component, and water, with specific weight percentages and optional additives like organic solvents and biocides, is administered to lithium battery fires to effectively extinguish or abate them without causing short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional firefighting methods are used for lithium battery fires, then the fire can be extinguished, but short circuits occur due to salt presence causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the firefighting agent by using deionized water instead of conventional water, and formulating a specific composition with non-ionic surfactants (0.1-25 wt%), polysaccharides (0-1.5 wt%), and deionized water (at least 50 wt%). This parameter change eliminates salts that cause short circuits while maintaining fire extinguishing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces non-ionic surfactants and polysaccharides as intermediary substances that facilitate the interaction between water and lithium battery components. These intermediaries enable effective fire suppression while preventing direct harmful electrical contact, thus eliminating short circuits.
2Temperature
If water is used to extinguish lithium battery fires, then cooling effect is achieved, but salt content causes short circuits and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the purity parameter of water from conventional water to deionized water, removing salt content while preserving the cooling effect. The formulation specifies deionized water at least 50 wt%, ensuring both thermal cooling capability and electrical safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite firefighting composition combining non-ionic surfactants, polysaccharides, and deionized water. This composite material provides both the cooling effect of water and the safety benefits of salt-free composition, preventing short circuits while maintaining temperature control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If salt-free composition is used, then short circuits are prevented, but fire extinguishing effectiveness must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-ionic surfactants and polysaccharides as intermediary agents that enhance the fire extinguishing effectiveness of the salt-free water-based composition. These intermediaries facilitate heat transfer and fire suppression without introducing salts, thus maintaining both safety and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite firefighting formulation combining non-ionic surfactants (0.1-25 wt%), polysaccharides (0-1.5 wt%), and deionized water (at least 50 wt%). This composite material achieves effective fire extinguishing while preventing short circuits, resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity.
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 solution prevents short circuits and enhances safety by facilitating the interaction and cooling effects of water with lithium battery components, effectively controlling thermal runaway events and extinguishing fires without salt-related hazards.
Implementation Method 1
facilitating the interaction and cooling effects of water with lithium battery components
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant component including one or more non-ionic surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
A method of extinguishing or abating a lithium battery fire includes administering to the lithium battery fire a firefighting composition including a surfactant component including one or more non-ionic surfactants; a polysaccharide component; and water.