Lithium Batteries and Marine Seismic

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Lithium Batteries and Marine Seismic

• An HSE perspective
• S.Dale

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Lithium Battery and Marine Seismic

• Particulars of Lithium batteries
• Tests and results of Lithium batteries
• Lithium Battery exposure in Marine Seismic
• Lithium Battery best practices

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Why Lithium batteries?
Particulars of Lithium batteries
Power Density
400
TNT

• Superior Energy Density
• Low self discharge (lt 2/year)

The same properties which result in a high
energy density also contribute to potential
hazards if the energy is released at a fast,
uncontrolled rate.
bobbin spiral
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Battery Stored Chemical Energy
Particulars of Lithium batteries

• Controlled release of this energy gives
  electrical power in the form of current and
  voltage
• Uncontrolled release of this energy (venting,
  fire or explosion) can result in shrapnel,
  burning molten Lithium and the release of toxic
  materials gases.
• A venting/burning or exploding Lithium
  Thionyl-Chlorid will release
• HCl Hydrochloric Acid
• Fuming hydrochloric acid forms acidic mists. Both
  the mist and the solution have a corrosive effect
  on human tissue, with the potential to damage
  respiratory organs, eyes, skin, and intestines.
• H2 Hydrogen gas
• Hydrogen gas is highly flammable and will burn in
  air at a very wide range of concentrations
  between 4 and 75 by volume (forms oxyhydrogen
  or Knallgas)
• SO2 Sulfur Dioxide
• is an allergen to which some consumers are
  sensitive. SO2 is associated with increased
  respiratory symptoms and disease, difficulty in
  breathing, and premature death
• LiOH Lithium hydroxide
• May be fatal if swallowed. Eye contact may cause
  serious, irreversible damage. Corrosive - causes
  burns. May cause severe eye irritation or burns.
  Chronic exposure may cause CNS, liver or kidney
  damage.

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Tests of Lithium batteries
Tests and results of Lithium batteries

• Statoil, Gassco, Kongsberg Maritime Norwegian
  Defense Research Establishment conducted a series
  of tests following an explosion in a Pipe Pig in
  1999.
• Fugro, Gexcon fire test

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Findings
Tests and results of Lithium batteries

• A fast and uncontrolled release of energy in a
  Lithium Battery can be devastating

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Findings
Tests and results of Lithium batteries

• Relatively low temperatures can result in a
  violent reaction

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Findings
Tests and results of Lithium batteries
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Fugro Lithium battery test, Bergen 2007
Tests and results of Lithium batteries
Test of IonGeo SLB-150 and Electrochem 3PD0932
FINDINGS Commonly used batteries on seismic
vessels can explode violently when exposed to
heat. Battery packaging material was of
sufficient combustible material to cause a
battery explosion if put on fire.
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Fugro test
Tests and results of Lithium batteries
Explosion of one Electrochem 3PD0932
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Battery requirement

• Lithium Battery exposure in Marine Seismic

• A 148000 meter streamer configuration can deploy
  more than 750 Lithium batteries (Birds,fins
  acoustics)
• A vessel would then carry onboard
• 750 in use
• 750 new (30 kg metallic Lithium)
• 750 used
• 2250

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Lithium Battery Life Cycle Risk Analysis

• Lithium Battery exposure in Marine Seismic

• Primary Mitigation
• Procedures
• Storage facilities
• PPE

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• Lithium Battery best practices

Lithium Emergency Response Kit (LERK)
The kit is only intended used for a single or
very small quantity battery anomalies
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Lithium Battery storage containers, Geo Caribbean

• 90 minutes fireproof according to DIN 4102, full
  fire test on unit (to protect from external
  heat!)
• Explosion proof climate-control unit
• (AC/heater gt 15-20C)
• Temperature monitoring/alarm
• Explosion relief hatch
• Fixed water sprinkler/flood installation

Container capacity 2000 batteries
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Water and Lithium batteries?

• Lithium Battery best practices

• There is an industry misconception on the use of
  water to fight or prevent Lithium fires.
• Water has better extinguishing properties on
  burning Lithium batteries
• Water will cool down the battery and the
  surrounding batteries preventing an escalation
• Water can be applied from a safer distance
• Water is readily available
• Our batteries are hermetically sealed and direct
  contact with Lithium metal is not possible on
  intact batteries

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Discard overboard

• Lithium Battery best practices

• Most literature recommends
• Evacuate area
• Call professional fire fighters Not an option
  offshore
• Our main philosophy on lithium anomalies
• The HSE considerations of the vessel takes
  priority over the environmental concerns of
  discarding a lithium cell overboard.
• Any cell/device anomaly
• Immediately discard overboard
• The battery will slowly deplete, consuming the
  active components- Very little or no harm to the
  environment especially compared to the
  potential loss of ship

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Best Practices

• FIFO storage
• Segregate new and used batteries
• Fireproof, climate controlled storage facility in
  open air
• Keep away from other combustible material
• Have generous water supply available everywhere
  you use/store Lithium batteries
• Use proper PPE during anomalies
• Everyone onboard must be familiar with the risks
  of Lithium batteries
• Immediately discard suspected batteries/devices
  overboard
• Perform regular lithium emergency response
  training
• Ship off used batteries at first opportunity

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• noncardiogenic pulmonary edema