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Title: Experimental quantification of vent mechanism flow parameters in 18650 format lithium ion batteries

Journal Article · · Journal of Fluids Engineering
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4042962· OSTI ID:1498760
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. New Mexico Inst. of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM (United States)
  2. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Lithium ion batteries have a well documented tendency to fail energetically under various abuse conditions. These conditions frequently result in decomposition of the electrochemical components within the battery resulting in gas generation and increased internal pressure which can lead to an explosive case rupture. The 18650 format cell incorporates a vent mechanism located within a crimped cap to relieve pressure and mitigate the risk of case rupture. Cell venting, however, introduces additional safety concerns associated with the flow of flammable gases and liquid electrolyte into the environment. Experiments to quantify key parameters are performed to elucidate the external dynamics of battery venting. A first experiment measures the vent burst pressure. Burst vent caps are then tested with a second experimental fixture to measure vent opening area and discharge coefficient during choked-flow venting, which occurs during battery failure. Vent opening area and discharge coefficient are calculated from stagnation temperature, stagnation pressure, and static pressure measurements along with compressible-isentropic flow equations and conservation of mass. Commercially-sourced vent caps are used with repeated tests run to quantify repeatability and variability. Validation experiments confirmed accuracy of opening area and discharge coefficient measurement. Moreover, trials conducted on vent caps from two sources demonstrate the potential for variation between manufacturers.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Electricity (OE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1498760
Report Number(s):
SAND-2018-9403J; 667391
Journal Information:
Journal of Fluids Engineering, Journal Name: Journal of Fluids Engineering; ISSN 0098-2202
Publisher:
ASMECopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 18 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (15)

Safety focused modeling of lithium-ion batteries: A review journal February 2016
Thermal runaway caused fire and explosion of lithium ion battery journal June 2012
Insight into the Gassing Problem of Li-ion Battery journal December 2014
Studies on the Thermal Breakdown of Common Li-Ion Battery Electrolyte Components journal January 2015
Effects of thermal hazard on 18650 lithium-ion battery under different states of charge journal April 2015
Energetics of lithium ion battery failure journal November 2016
An experimental study on burning behaviors of 18650 lithium ion batteries using a cone calorimeter journal January 2015
In-operando high-speed tomography of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway journal April 2015
Physical and chemical analysis of lithium-ion battery cell-to-cell failure events inside custom fire chamber journal April 2015
Overcharge and thermal destructive testing of lithium metal oxide and lithium metal phosphate batteries incorporating optical diagnostics journal October 2017
Safety mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries journal April 2006
A lumped model of venting during thermal runaway in a cylindrical Lithium Cobalt Oxide lithium-ion cell journal March 2016
Discharge Coefficients for Circular Side Outlets journal March 2018
Discharge coefficients for compressible flow through small-diameter orifices and convergent nozzles journal January 1991
Thermal-runaway experiments on consumer Li-ion batteries with metal-oxide and olivin-type cathodes journal January 2014

Cited By (14)

Energetics of lithium ion battery failure journal November 2016
In-operando high-speed tomography of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway journal April 2015
Discharge Coefficients for Circular Side Outlets journal March 2018
A lumped model of venting during thermal runaway in a cylindrical Lithium Cobalt Oxide lithium-ion cell journal March 2016
Safety mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries journal April 2006
Physical and chemical analysis of lithium-ion battery cell-to-cell failure events inside custom fire chamber journal April 2015
An experimental study on burning behaviors of 18650 lithium ion batteries using a cone calorimeter journal January 2015
Safety focused modeling of lithium-ion batteries: A review journal February 2016
Discharge coefficients for compressible flow through small-diameter orifices and convergent nozzles journal January 1991
Studies on the Thermal Breakdown of Common Li-Ion Battery Electrolyte Components journal January 2015
Thermal runaway caused fire and explosion of lithium ion battery journal June 2012
Effects of thermal hazard on 18650 lithium-ion battery under different states of charge journal April 2015
Overcharge and thermal destructive testing of lithium metal oxide and lithium metal phosphate batteries incorporating optical diagnostics journal October 2017
Insight into the Gassing Problem of Li-ion Battery journal December 2014

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