Passive Fire Protection for Lithium Battery Shipments

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Passive Fire Protection for Lithium Battery
Shipments
ICAO
FAA Fire Safety
09-11-2014
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Results Over-Pack Box
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Results Steel Drum
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Results Density Reduction
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Separation Distance Tests
State of Charge Two sheets of cardboard (.3 thick) Three sheets of cardboard (.45 thick) Five sheets of cardboard (.75 thick)
60      
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Results (Separation Distance)

• Larger separation distances were not very
  effective at reducing cell temperatures.
• Separation distance did however have a
  significant impact on the rate of propagation.

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Results (Material SOC) Temperature

• The average maximum temperature of the cells
  increased as state-of-charge increased.
• Insulative materials decreased the temperatures.

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Results (Material SOC) propagation time

• The time required for the entire package to burn
  increased as state-of-charge decreased.
• Insulative divider materials increased the
  propagation time of the package.

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Results Packet of Water

• A Packet of water placed above the cells stopped
  propagation.

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Effect of Dividers on the Propagation of Thermal
Runaway
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8 cell ICAO Packaging Regulation
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Summary

• An O2 overpack box didnt contain a battery fire.
• A steel drum didnt contain a battery fire.
• A 50 reduction in packaging density didnt stop
  propagation.
• Extra cardboard between cells reduces the rate of
  propagation but failed to prevent it.
• Insulative materials between the cells reduced
  the rate of propagation.
• A decrease in SOC decreased propagation rate and
  temperature.
• Thermal Runaway didnt propagate at 30 SOC.
• A water packet above the cells prevented
  propagation.
• Battery dividers painted with intumescent paint
  failed to prevent propagation.
• 8 cell ICAO packaging regulation failed to
  prevent propagation.