With over 1,000 spontaneous lithium battery fires reported each week, it’s crucial for all yacht owners to make informed decisions about lithium battery storage.
Lithium-ion batteries can cause fires or explosions due to thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when a lithium-ion battery cell creates more heat than it can effectively disperse
Lithium-ion batteries can start fires :
The incorrect charger is used,
The device or battery has been damaged,
There is a system fault or product defect.
To prevent lithium-ion battery overheating, consider the following safety measures:
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Monitor Charging Temperatures:
- Charge batteries within safe temperature ranges.
- Use chargers specifically designed for lithium-ion batteries with built-in temperature monitoring.
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Avoid Overcharging:
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Cooling Provisions:
- Implement cooling mechanisms such as fans or heat sinks to dissipate excess heat from the battery pack.
- Link cooling provisions to a Battery Management System (BMS) to reduce battery pack temperature if it gets too hot.
- Ensure proper monitoring of the BMS to prevent indirect failure of the lithium-ion batteries.
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Insulation and Thermal Management:
- Use insulation materials to protect batteries from extreme temperatures.
- Optimize thermal management systems to prevent thermal runaway and ignition of fire.
Remember that proper education, storage, and recycling of lithium-ion batteries are crucial for safety. Let’s keep our energy storage technology secure and reliable.
For more information contact:
European Marine Services Ltd
Marine Surveyors & Consultants | ADR & Mediation | Expert Witness
www.europeanmarinesurveys.com
Tel: (44) 01603 327 123
