Superabsorbent Blocking Sheet for ESS Thermal Runaway Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Energy Storage Systems (ESS) face challenges in effectively extinguishing and cooling flames that have spread within a sub-ESS, potentially leading to thermal runaway and safety hazards in adjacent battery modules.
Innovation Solution
The proposed ESS incorporates a superabsorbent sheet interposed between sub-ESSs and battery modules, which can absorb and contain cooling water, thereby preventing flame propagation. This system includes sensors to detect temperature and smoke, a fire extinguisher, and a cooler to efficiently manage cooling water distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amount of cooling water is supplied to extinguish and cool flames inside sub-ESSs, then the fire extinguishing effectiveness is improved, but the system complexity and water management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The superabsorbent sheet acts as an intermediary material between the cooling water supply system and the battery modules. It absorbs and stores cooling water, then releases it where needed to extinguish flames and cool battery modules, simplifying the overall water distribution system while maintaining effective fire suppression
Solution Approach 2:
The superabsorbent sheet is pre-loaded with cooling water before a fire event occurs. This preliminary action allows the sheet to immediately release stored water when activated by heat or smoke, eliminating the need for complex real-time water distribution systems during emergency conditions
2Reliability
If cooling water is supplied to prevent thermal runaway propagation, then the safety of adjacent battery modules is improved, but the amount of cooling water required increases system resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The superabsorbent sheet provides localized cooling water release at specific positions between battery modules and sub-ESSs. This targeted approach ensures cooling water is delivered precisely where thermal runaway propagation risk exists, maximizing safety effectiveness while minimizing overall water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The superabsorbent sheet changes its physical state and water release parameters in response to thermal conditions. It absorbs cooling water under normal conditions and releases it when exposed to heat or smoke from thermal runaway, dynamically adjusting water delivery based on temperature parameters
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 enables effective extinguishing and cooling of flames within a sub-ESS, preventing the spread of fire to adjacent modules and ensuring safer operation of the ESS by minimizing thermal runaway risks.
Implementation Method 1
a superabsorbent sheet interposed between sub-ESSs and battery modules, which can absorb and contain cooling water
Implementation Method 2
The first blocking sheet may include an absorbent fiber capable of absorbing and containing 20 g to 200 g of cooling water per 1 g
Data Source
AI summary
An ESS (Energy Storage System) is disclosed, which includes a sub ESS stack including a plurality of sub ESSs, each having a plurality of battery modules and a battery rack for accommodating the plurality of battery modules; an ESS housing configured to accommodate the plurality of sub ESSs; a sensor installed in the ESS housing to sense at least one of temperature and smoke inside the ESS housing; a first blocking sheet interposed between the sub ESSs adjacent to each other; a fire extinguishing device configured to supply a fire extinguishing agent into the ESS housing; and a cooling device configured to supply a cooling water to the first blocking sheet.