A Lithium-ion battery works by allowing lithium ions to flow in between two electrodes which are separated by an electrolyte. This movement produces electricity. However, in case of a damaged battery or short circuit in the battery, the above process can go out of hand. The electrolyte in these batteries is flammable and its exposure to heat or short circuit leads to a fire outbreak. Also, the thermal runaway effect which is a cause of subsequent reactions linked with an elevation in temperature is hazardous since it leads to explosions and fires.
2. Electrolyte Breakdown: The organic electrolyte (usually ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and so on) is combustible and can decompose at high temperatures:
3. Thermal Runaway: When this heat is not removed it rises steeply to the extent that the electrolyte and the cathode materials start to decompose. The reaction of the electrolyte with lithium further accelerates the heat production.
To be very safe in the use of batteries and prevent such fires, there is a need to understand what led to such fires. Here are top 8 reasons why lithium-ion batteries catch fires.
Overcharging a battery forces it to store more energy than its capacity, generating heat and damaging the electrolyte. This can lead to a dangerous condition known as thermal runaway, where heat production increases in a cycle, potentially causing the battery to fail or, in extreme cases, explode if gases are released.
Throwing, piercing, or even bending a battery can compromise the internal layout making the anode and cathode will come into contact. This will cause short-circuiting leading to overheating and subsequent fire.
Some minor manufacturing imperfections such as Impurities on the battery material or improperly aligned electrodes will have direct contact and result in internal short circuits, causing overheating and fire formation.
It''s important to note that replacing laptop or gadget batteries with low-quality or counterfeit ones can be dangerous. These batteries often lack essential safety features and proper quality control, making them more prone to failure, overheating, and even fire compared to standard batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries should not be disposed of through ordinary trash because they are easily damaged. The impact or compression can cause a chemical reaction and as a result, fires may occur. When it comes to the topic of recycling there should be certain protocols to be followed.
When a battery is exposed to high temperatures, the internal components, like the electrolyte, can become unstable. This instability can cause chemical reactions that generate excessive heat, leading to swelling, leakage, or even a short circuit. In extreme cases, this buildup of heat can ignite the flammable materials inside the battery, resulting in a fire.
Wiring and connection problems leading to short circuits may result in excess heat generation. It is mainly due to electrical problems that cause fire and are prevented by routine check-ups and maintenance.
Some of lithium-ion batteries is equipped with protection circuits as overcharging and short-circuiting of the battery can be very dangerous. If any of these fails or is not present, the dangers of having fires are greatly heightened.
In case of a lithium-ion battery fire, evacuate the area, use a Class D fire extinguisher only, and call the fire department. It is recommended that you never reuse or recharge the damaged battery because this is very dangerous. Besides this, you can opt for the following measures.
Evacuate the Area: Make certain that all the persons are clear out of the reach of the fire. Lithium-ion battery fires are quite common, and they cause toxic fumes, the fire is also often self-sustaining.
Use an Appropriate Fire Extinguisher: First, if possible, attempt to use a Class D fire extinguisher meant for metal fires. This mainly include lithium-ion fires which cannot be put out with water.
Do Not Use Water: Explosives are sensitive to water and therefore water can increase the fierceness of the fire and cause more explosions. ALWAYS use the right fire extinguisher depending on the kind of fire to be doused which can be electrical or metal fires.
Call Emergency Services: Phone the fire department immediately. Having realized that even after the first fire appears to be out, there may be other dangerous elements remaining there. So, a person should not rush to grab items.
It is important to confirm that lithium-ion batteries are well used and stored. So, you can easily avoid any mishap and at the same time extend their durability. Observing precautionary measures minimizes fires and the proper utilization of lithium batteries. Besides this, you can safely use or store lithium batteries by following these practices.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Remember it is also important to avoid exposing batteries to heat and the sun''s radiation as this leads to overheating of the batteries.
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