The European Union report concerning marine lithium battery fires moves on from battery design concerns to electronic battery management. “The source of lithium-ion battery fires often comes from the battery control unit itself,” it claims. This is because we are over-relying on electronics to prevent fire events.
The Role of Electronic Battery Management Systems in Fires
The authors of the report are concerned that many lithium-ion systems still do not have battery management system (BMS) protection. Instead, their engineers rely on battery management electronics to prevent fire events.
“The commonest cause of lithium fires – besides charging-related ones – is designing the battery safety concept exclusively around the BMS. A management system will only confirm a fire,” they add. However, it will not be able to stop or contain it once it breaks out.” Because its primary responsibility is only to measure voltage, current, and temperature.
Battery management systems are hence unable to prevent lithium marine fires when voltage, current, and temperature are in range. Therefore, battery developers must assume there are no on board measures to prevent calamities.
Their last resorts are so-called ‘external measures’. These include metal housings, non-flammable materials, fuses, and fire suppression systems. The authors are concerned that battery developers overlook these points, while “putting too much faith in the system to provide the backbone of the batteries” safety concept”.
“Charging Procedures Are the Main Culprit of Most Battery Fires”
The authors conclude this part of their report by noting batteries spend 90% of their time attached to chargers. They are either in float mode during this period, they observe, or turned off or delivering energy.
They believe “the risk exposure during charging is massively underestimated, and consequently, the main source of most battery fires. The causes are varied, but may include charging too fast, and using the wrong or unauthorised chargers.”
Related
Causes of Marine Lithium Battery Fires EU Update 5
Containing a Lithium Battery Fire: EU Update 4
Preview Image: Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Building
