Lithium-ion Battery Fire Suppression in Submarine Battery Compartments

摘要

Lithium-ion main storage batteries have the potential to improve the endurance of diesel-electric submarines through superior energy storage and charging capabilities when compared with traditional lead-acid batteries. A review of lithium-ion batteries has found that they pose a potential fire risk and conventional fire suppression systems may not provide an adequate level of safety in the event of a lithium-ion battery fire. Studies have identified water-based fire suppression as effective for lithium-ion battery fires. Water extinguishes flames and cools the battery inhibiting exothermic reactions within the battery during a thermal runaway event. The application of liberal amounts of water or submerging the battery in water has been shown to achieve extinguishment of lithium-ion battery fires. However, these firefighting methods are not appropriate for submarines because the excessive volume and weight involved may result in submarine stability requirements not being met. Water mist fire suppression systems have the extinguishing and cooling capability of sprinklers or deluge systems whilst using a lower volume of water and are therefore potentially applicable for spaces such as submarine battery compartments. In collaboration with Victoria University's Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE), Defence Science and Technology Group is investigating the effectiveness of water mist fire suppression for lithium-ion battery fires. The aim of this work is to experimentally determine the extinguishing criteria for lithium-ion battery fires and develop Computational Fluid Dynamics models to predict the fire extinguishing capabilities of water mist on lithium-ion battery fires. This paper describes why lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to fire, why water mist is seen as a promising fire suppression system for lithium-ion battery fires, and presents some of the preliminary experimental results of the collaborative research with CESARE.