Extinguishing agents for battery fires / burning lithium-ion batteries
In particular defective or damaged lithium-ion batteries (short Li-ion batteries) and lithium polymer batteries (short LiPo batteries) pose a significant source of danger due to their composition and stored energy, which can lead to a battery fire. Burning Li-ion batteries are difficult or impossible to fight with common extinguishing agents such as water, CO2, foam, or powder. Accordingly, in recent years, special extinguishing agents have been developed to combat battery fires in a fast and safe way, for example when extinguishing e-bike batteries.
Genius PyroBubbles® - an extinguishing agent for acute firefighting and filler during transport
PyroBubbles® from Genius are a novel extinguishing agent based on silicon dioxide, developed specifically for the challenges of burning lithium batteries and lithium-ion batteries.
Extinguishing battery fires with Genius PyroBubbles®
PyroBubbles® are temperature resistant up to approximately 700°C. If a lithium-ion battery catches fire, high temperatures develop and the granulate melts, forming a closed and thermally insulating layer around the ignition source (Li-ion battery or LiPo battery). The ignition source is deprived of oxygen, while thanks to the porous structure of PyroBubbles® additional reaction gases are reduced. In addition, the PyroBubbles® shield flammable material outside the active fire source due to their low thermal conductivity. In addition to fires of lithium-ion batteries / lithium-ion cells, Genius PyroBubbles® are also suitable for extinguishing metal fires.
Please note: Active battery firefighting with Pyrobubbles requires a special fire protection design.
Fire prevention with PyroBubbles® from Genius
In addition to combating burning Li-ion and LiPo batteries, PyroBubbles® are also used as a filler in transit containers for lithium batteries and lithium-ion batteries. Especially during transport of damaged batteries problems can arise quickly, and then PyroBubbles® function as an extinguishing agent and the battery fire is fought directly inside the transport container, so that it does not endanger the surroundings. By default, PyroBubbles® extinguishing agents are used, for example in Lio Guard transport containers, but can of course also be used in battery transport containers of other series or manufacturers.
Properties of PyroBubbles® as an extinguishing agent
Genius PyroBubbles® are an ideal extinguishing agent for lithium-ion batteries and are suitable for flammable substances of fire class D. The grain size is on average 2 to 6 mm. The extinguishing agent is water-repellent and age-stable, so that PyroBubbles from Genius still have their protective and extinguishing effect even after longer storage.
Special extinguishers for battery fires
The classic extinguishers with CO2, powder or foam show only limited effectiveness when lithium batteries or LiPo batteries catch fire. Accordingly, extinguishers for lithium-ion batteries are usually filled with different extinguishing agents to perfectly meet the requirements of a battery fire.
Fire extinguishers for Li-ion batteries with extinguishing agent Lithium-X
The extinguishing agent Lithium-X can be used in extinguishers for A-class and D-class fires, and especially against fires of lithium-ion batteries and LiPo batteries. Other metal fires are also effectively cooled by the lithium-ion fire extinguishers, preventing uncontrolled spread of the battery fire. The extinguishing agent is a aqueous dispersion in which natural silicon crystals are held in suspension in an aqueous solution. By spraying onto burning metal or accordingly burning lithium batteries, the water evaporates, the silicon plates swell and fuse into an impermeable barrier layer.
Gel fire extinguishers with Water-Glue as the extinguishing agent
The gel fire extinguishers for battery fires work with a gel-like extinguishing agent that can be used for Class A fires and burning lithium-ion batteries / LiPo batteries. The direct cooling effect of the gel and the high heat capacity ensure that heat is drawn away from the burning Li-ion battery under an oxygen-deprived environment. The gel extinguishers with Water-Glue as the extinguishing agent are primarily used for smaller, less powerful batteries, e.g., for extinguishing e-bike batteries, LiPo batteries from model making, etc.
Fire extinguishers with Pyrobubbles as extinguishing agent
Not only gel- or silicon-based extinguishers are common for extinguishing batteries; Pyrobubbles can also be used as an active extinguishing agent. The Pyrobubbles extinguishing granulate developed by Genius is primarily used during the transport of Li-ion batteries, e.g., as a passive extinguishing agent in the battery transport containers. In specially designed extinguishers, Pyrobubbles are also used to actively extinguish battery and cell fires.
Fillers for the Transportation of Damaged Lithium-Ion Batteries at a Glance
The transport of damaged lithium-ion batteries poses a significant challenge. Lithium-ion batteries are widespread in many electronic devices and offer high energy density with relatively low weight. However, defective batteries carry a high risk of overheating, short circuits, or even fires. These hazards are amplified by mechanical damage, faulty electronics, or improper storage.
In addition, strict regulations apply to the transport of these batteries, particularly with regard to international dangerous goods transport. To minimize risk, it is necessary to take special precautions that go beyond simple packaging solutions.
Why are special fillers for transport necessary?
Lithium-ion batteries can enter a thermal runaway when defective or mechanically damaged, leading to intense heat generation and potentially triggering fires. Simple packaging materials such as cardboard or plastic do not provide sufficient protection in such cases. This is where special fillers come into play, designed to ensure safety during transport.
The task of these fillers is to insulate the batteries, absorb potential heat development, and prevent the outbreak of flames. Without these special fillers, the transport of defective lithium-ion batteries would be practically unfeasible.
What fillers are there?
There are various fillers developed specifically for the transport of lithium-ion batteries. They can be broadly divided into two categories: inert fillers and actively cooling fillers.
Inert fillers
Inert fillers primarily serve physical insulation and protect the surroundings from potential hazards. They do not conduct heat and help cushion mechanical shocks.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a mineral that expands when heated and is therefore especially suitable for insulation. It is commonly used as loose filler material and provides very good heat and impact dampening.
Advantages of vermiculite:
- Very heat resistant
- Good shock absorption
- Cost-effective
Disadvantages of vermiculite:
- Relatively heavy
- No active cooling
Perlite
Similar to vermiculite, perlite is a porous mineral material that also provides good insulation. It is often used for the transport of dangerous goods because it is flammable and can withstand high temperatures.
Advantages of perlite
- Low weight
- High temperature resistance
Disadvantages of perlite
- Lower mechanical damping compared to other fillers
Active cooling fillers
Active cooling fillers go a step further by not only insulating but also actively absorbing the heat that can develop in a defective battery. They can lower the temperature of the battery and thus reduce the risk of thermal runaway.
Pyrobubbles
Pyrobubbles are small, hollow glass bubbles that exhibit high temperature resistance and can effectively absorb thermal energy. They have excellent insulating capabilities and are non-flammable, making them an ideal filler for the transport of defective batteries.
Advantages of Pyrobubbles
- Extremely heat resistant
- Lightweight
- Environmentally friendly
Disadvantages of Pyrobubble
- Higher cost than inert fillers
Special gels and mats
In some cases, special gels or mats are also used, which have the ability to absorb the heat generated and actively cool the battery. However, these materials are often more expensive and more complex to handle.
Advantages of gels and mats
- Active cooling
- High protection under extreme conditions
Disadvantages of gels and mats
- High cost
- Complex application
Pros and cons of fillers
While inert fillers such as vermiculite and perlite are characterized primarily by their cost efficiency and easy handling, they do not provide active protection against thermal hazards. They only insulate and reduce the effects of mechanical shocks. Actively cooling fillers such as Pyrobubbles or special gels are more expensive, but offer substantially higher protection by the ability to actively absorb heat and thus significantly reduce the risk of fire.
