Liquid Fluoropolyether Composition for Li-Ion Battery Fire Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current compositions for abating Li-ion battery combustion, while effective, can be enhanced to provide more robust combustion abatement, particularly in scenarios where thermal destabilization and multiple modes of action are required to prevent or extinguish fires effectively.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising liquid fluoropolyether and a combustion abatement agent, along with a Lewis acid catalyst, which can be in a liquid or semi-solid state, utilizing heat absorption, dilution, intumescence, char formation, and volatile depletion to suppress combustion, with the semi-solid state ensuring stability and adherence to the battery surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a thermally destabilizable fluoropolymer or PTFE micropowder is combined with a fluorinated composition, then the combustion abatement effect is enhanced, but the mixture becomes semi-solid in state which may reduce mobility and ease of application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion abatement effectVSAvoidmobility and ease of application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fluorinated composition from solid/semi-solid to liquid by using low molecular weight fluorinated compounds. This maintains combustion abatement effectiveness while dramatically improving mobility and ease of application, allowing the composition to flow and coat battery surfaces effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transition by selecting fluorinated compounds that are liquid at operating temperatures rather than solid particulates. This phase change from solid to liquid state enables the composition to maintain fire suppression properties while achieving superior fluidity and applicability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Ease of operation

If the fluorinated material is used as a liquid under normal conditions, then ease of application is improved, but the combustion abatement effect may be reduced compared to semi-solid mixtures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of applicationVSAvoidcombustion abatement effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite liquid composition by combining multiple fluorinated compounds with different molecular weights and functional properties. This composite approach maintains the liquid state for ease of application while incorporating components that provide robust combustion abatement through multiple mechanisms including vapor suppression and heat absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple combustion abatement mechanisms are implemented, then combustion suppression reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecombustion suppression reliabilityVSAvoidcomposition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorinated composition is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it suppresses combustion through vapor depletion, absorbs heat during decomposition, forms protective barriers, and maintains liquid mobility. This multi-functionality within a single composition reduces the need for separate systems while achieving reliable combustion suppression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 composition effectively prevents or quickly extinguishes Li-ion battery combustion by emitting non-combustible volatiles, forming barriers, and absorbing heat, thereby containing the fire to the affected battery, even in the presence of multiple batteries.

Implementation Method 1

additionally containing a Lewis acid as a decomposition catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

a decomposition catalyst... upon heating exhibits combustion abatement effect by such modes of action as... (v) depletion of combustibles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 3

exhibits combustion abatement effect by such modes of action as (i) heat absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

forming barriers... effectively prevents or quickly extinguishes Li-ion battery combustion by emitting non-combustible volatiles, forming barriers, and absorbing heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarrier formation:

Implementation Method 5

exhibits combustion abatement effect by such modes of action as... (iii) becoming intumescent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIntumescence: Intumescent Materials

Implementation Method 6

exhibits combustion abatement effect by such modes of action as... (v) depletion of combustibles... emitting non-combustible volatiles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolatile depletion: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3170222B1Compositions for abating combustion of li-ion batteries

Publication Date: 2020.01.15 THE CHEMOURS CO FC LLC

AI summary

A composition is provided that is capable of abating combustion of a Li-ion battery, comprising liquid fluoropolyether and at least one combustion abatement agent being other than fluoropolymer, examples of such agent including one or more compounds that exhibit one or more of the following characteristics of being a hydrate, carbonate, bicarbonate or sulfate, or are phosphorus or bromine containing or that form a char and/or exhibit intumescence upon heating.