Double-Walled Hazard Containment System for Battery Fire Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large capacity batteries in electric vehicles pose a significant risk of fire, explosion, and environmental contamination due to uncontainable and reigniting fires, requiring a cost-efficient, deployable, and safe containment and extinguishment system.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled hazard containment system using a reusable outer shipping container made of corten steel and an inner liner constructed from sturdy materials, with optional fire suppression measures and a gap for fire-retardant materials, allowing for the containment and transportation of hazardous materials, including battery fires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional containment methods are used for battery fires, then initial fire suppression may be achieved, but reignition occurs hours or days later and fires burn longer than typical automobile fires
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system divides the containment function into separate components: an inner liner that directly contacts the battery and an outer shell that provides structural containment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the inner liner focusing on fire suppression and the outer shell on structural integrity and longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies fire suppressant material to the battery before ignition occurs, and maintains this preliminary suppression state throughout the containment period. The inner liner is pre-filled with fire suppressant that continuously acts to prevent reignition, rather than merely responding to fire after it starts.
2Reliability
If more water or extinguishment material is used to suppress battery fire, then initial fire extinction is improved, but the system becomes less cost-efficient and harder to deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The inner liner is constructed as a flexible, thin-walled container that can be easily manufactured and deployed. This thin-film approach allows the fire suppressant to be contained in a lightweight, easily transportable structure rather than requiring massive amounts of water or heavy extinguishment equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner liner is designed as a disposable component that is replaced after each use, while the outer shell is reused. This approach is more cost-efficient than attempting to recover and reuse the fire suppressant materials, and allows for simple, rapid deployment of fresh containment systems for each battery incident.
3Reliability
If a robust containment structure is built to withstand extreme temperatures and explosions, then safety is improved, but the system becomes less cost-efficient and less readily deployable
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system divides the containment function into separate components: an inner liner that directly contacts the battery and an outer shell that provides structural containment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the inner liner focusing on fire suppression and the outer shell on structural integrity and longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite construction with an inner liner made of fire-resistant material and an outer shell made of structurally strong material. This composite approach provides both fire resistance and structural integrity without requiring the entire system to be made from heavy, expensive, complex materials.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If hazardous battery materials are contained and transported to recycling agencies, then environmental safety is improved, but the risk of leakage and contamination during transport increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner liner is constructed as a flexible, thin-walled container that can be easily manufactured and deployed. This thin-film approach allows the fire suppressant to be contained in a lightweight, easily transportable structure rather than requiring massive amounts of water or heavy extinguishment equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies fire suppressant material to the battery before ignition occurs, and maintains this preliminary suppression state throughout the containment period. The inner liner is pre-filled with fire suppressant that continuously acts to prevent reignition, rather than merely responding to fire after it starts.
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 contains and prevents re-ignition of battery fires for extended periods, enabling safe transportation and recycling while withstanding extreme temperatures and potential explosions, providing a cost-effective and readily deployable solution for hazardous material management.
Implementation Method 1
The HCS 10 may contain the hazardous materials present after a fire for weeks preventing the re-ignition of the fire
Implementation Method 2
The HCS 10 includes an outer liner 20, which is based on the re-use of available shipping containers, and an inner liner 30 thus providing a 'double walled' system
Implementation Method 3
The gap between the liners may be filled with a fire suppressant material
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a hazard containment system (“HCS”) and method of using the same. The HCS includes an outer liner, which is based on the re-use of available shipping containers, and an inner liner thus providing a “double walled” system.