On flammability limits of battery vent gas: Role of diffusion, radiation and chemical kinetics

Ruiguang Yu, Jie Liu, Wenkai Liang, Chung K. Law, Hewu Wang, Minggao Ouyang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

An experimental and computational investigation has been conducted on the determination of the flammability limits of the multi-component NCA (Nickel, Cobalt, and aluminum) battery vent gas (BVG) blended with an inert gas (CO2, H2O, and N2), and on the understanding of associated limit phenomena in general. The simulation results based on detailed chemical kinetics and transport properties agree well with the experimental data from low to high inert gas ratios for both lean and rich limits. In addition, when the inert gas ratio is very high, an absolute limit state exists, at which the lean and rich limits merge, and beyond which flame propagation is not possible. The combustible regime increases in the order of CO2, H2O and N2. The effects of each inert gas on the flame temperature, laminar flame speed, flame broadening, diffusion and radiation are identified and investigated. Furthermore, a linear growth law of the normalized sensitivity with the dominant chain termination reaction rate to the chain branching reaction rate was found near the lean flammability limit. Based on first principle concept of competition between the dominant chain branching and termination reactions, the criterion of a unified flammability exponent is extended to the current multi-component mixture system. This outcome yields useful insight into the fundamental processes of flammability limits, and scrutinizes the heat loss and chain termination effects of flammability limits. Results of this study provide guidance for hazard mitigation and fire suppression for the thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number112631
JournalCombustion and Flame
Volume249
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2023
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

Keywords

  • Battery vent gas
  • Flammability limits
  • Inert gases
  • Thermal runaway

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