Shipping Container with Expanded Glass Granulate for Lithium-Ion Fire Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shipping containers for lithium-ion batteries are inadequate in preventing and extinguishing internal fires and protecting against external fires, being either too fragile, impractical for large quantities, or excessively costly, and lack effective fire suppression mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A steel container with a rolled steel liner and free-flowing expanded glass granulate that provides fire insulation, suppression, and smoke absorption, featuring strategically placed vent holes and a dielectric coating for enhanced safety and oxygen displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional steel drums are used for shipping lithium-ion batteries, then the container provides minimal protection from outside heat and basic structural integrity, but it cannot suppress internal fires and may explode when batteries undergo thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into multiple functional layers: an outer steel shell for structural integrity, an inner ceramic fiber lining for fire insulation, and a fire suppressant material filling the cavity between them. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, achieving fire suppression without compromising structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs composite construction by combining steel (for strength), ceramic fiber (for heat insulation), and fire suppressant materials (for fire extinction). This composite approach creates a multi-functional container that simultaneously provides structural integrity, thermal protection, and active fire suppression, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Reliability
If ceramic fiber lined boxes are used for small scale battery shipping, then they provide some fire insulation, but they are too fragile for commercial shipping of large quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic fiber lining is nested within the robust steel container shell, creating a protected inner layer. The strong outer shell shields the fragile ceramic fiber from mechanical damage during shipping, while the ceramic fiber provides its fire insulation function. This nested structure allows the combination of fragile fire-insulating material with a durable protective shell.
3Reliability
If robust fire-proof containers are manufactured with adequate fire suppression capabilities, then they can contain and suppress fires effectively, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fire suppressant material used in the container cavity is a porous, lightweight substance that can be easily poured and distributed. This material provides effective fire suppression through its physical properties (smothering flames, absorbing heat) without requiring complex manufacturing processes or expensive specialized components, thereby maintaining cost-effectiveness while achieving reliable fire containment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If standard steel drums are used for battery shipping, then they provide basic structural protection, but they offer no protection against external fires and can heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit causing thermal runaway
Solution Approach 1:
The ceramic fiber lining acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the external environment and the batteries inside the container. This intermediate layer insulates the batteries from external heat sources, preventing the temperature from reaching the 450 degrees Fahrenheit threshold that triggers thermal runaway, while allowing the container to maintain its simple steel drum structure.
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
Effectively isolates and extinguishes internal fires, protects against external fires, and meets UN certification for safe transportation of hazardous goods, while being cost-efficient and scalable for various sizes.
Implementation Method 1
free-flowing expanded glass granulate having fire insulating, fire suppressing and smoke absorbing properties
Implementation Method 2
free-flowing expanded glass granulate having fire insulating, fire suppressing and smoke absorbing properties
Implementation Method 3
a liner or insert 10 provided within the container at a fixed distance from its interior wall
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a shipping container adapted to isolate and extinguish a fire within the container, the container comprising a container body having a bottom, an interior wall defining an internal region, an opening into the internal region, a cover positionable over the opening, an insert or liner provided within the container and at a fixed distance from its interior wall, the insert having apertures extending therethrough, the region between the container's interior wall and bottom and the insert containing a free-flowing expanded glass granulate having fire insulating, fire suppressing and smoke absorbing properties.