Session: 09-01: Photovoltaic & Electrochemical Technologies

Paper Number: 138171

138171 - Li-Ion Battery Fire Propagation Risk Assessment With Monte Carlo Simulation 

Abstract: 

Li-Ion Battery Fire Propagation Risk Assessment with Monte Carlo Simulation

Soroush Roghani, Nicole Braxtan, Tiefu Zhao, Shenen Chen, Eric Huhn and Navanit Shanmugam

 

Abstract

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the cornerstone of modern sustainable energy technology, fueling the devices we use daily, from smartphones to large-scale energy storage. The surge in Li-ion battery use, essential for net-zero targets, raises concerns about fire hazards, especially in applications like electric vehicles and other electrified transports. Their high energy density and chemical composition make them susceptible to thermal runaway result in overheating, and fires or explosions when subjected to overcharging, physical and structural damage, or manufacturing defects. While Li-ion batteries offer clean energy solutions, their potential fire risks demand comprehensive research and mitigation strategies. In the past decade, a series of incidents involving Li-Ion battery fires and explosions has spurred manufacturers and researchers to conduct comprehensive investigations into battery performance when subjected to a range of abuse mechanisms, including mechanical, electrical, and thermal stress, which can trigger thermal runaway and pose a significant risk of fire or explosion. the lack of testing, simulation, and risk assessment on a large scale is much more felt because most of the research focuses on cell-level investigation or one pack. In this study, combining numerical modeling with risk assessment as a basic and applied research of translational Li-ion battery fire safety integration has been demonstrated for fire propagation and probability analysis. This concept serves as a link between fundamental scientific research, on-site battery fire inquiries, and the dissemination of insights to professionals and field experts. Analyzing fire propagation risk in Li-Ion batteries at the cell level involves sophisticated simulation methods to understand and predict how fires might spread within battery systems and beyond. However, cell-level simulation does not represent correctly the large-scale fires experienced by battery packs, which may include several hundreds or thousands of cells.  The Monte Carlo simulation conducted as hybrid modeling and applied risk analysis approach within an energy storage system (module level) to evaluate fire hazards associated with Li-Ion batteries offer crucial insights into potential risks. The fire propagation model within the battery facility involves a two-dimensional representation of a battery stack in a 16x54 rectangular grid. These battery stacks are positioned closely together, and the fire initiation is assumed to begin from a single battery cell. The spread occurs randomly, with an allocated probability, from the initial cell to its adjacent cells. The progression at each time interval relies on the condition of the cell itself and its neighboring cell. Using Monte Carlo simulation, 100,000 randomly generated simulations were performed and the simulations not only refines prior research but also significantly enhances the accuracy in determining the probability of fire spread. The results demonstrate attaining full combustion of the entire stack encompasses approximately 42 timesteps. Furthermore, within the random probability of fire incident initiation for 0.1 probability, 0.33 % of batteries will burn while beyond 0.6 to 1 probability, approximately entire battery facility will face a total burn.

Presenting Author: Soroush Roghani University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Presenting Author Biography: PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering- Infrastructure and Environmental Systems (INES) Major
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

Research on Energy & Environment Topics:
Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage, Risk and Environmental Impact Assessment, Battery Fire Safety, Heat Transfer and Thermo-Fluid, GHG Emissions Control, Techno-Economic Analysis, and Feasibility Study.

Authors:

Soroush Roghani University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Nicole Braxtan University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Tiefu Zhao University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Shenen Chen University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Eric Huhn University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Navanit Shanmugam University of North Carolina at Charlotte