Battery safety assessment using calorimetry, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

For LIB, a holistic safety assessment is in the focus, because the thermal runaway can have multiple interacting causes and effects. A test in an Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC) reveals the entire process of the thermal runaway with the different stages of exothermic reactions. As a result quantitative and system relevant data for temperature, heat and pressure development of materials and cells are provided. In addition it will be explained how calorimeters can be combined with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to analyse the gases, which are occurring during abuse tests.

There is still a lack of thermal and safety data of Li-ion cells that are publicly available. However, such data are urgently needed for a better understanding of the processes that could end up in thermal runaway. Even before the thermal runaway explosive or toxic gases can be released during venting of the cell that represent a potential hazard due to their rapid and widespread distribution. Therefore, it is important to get more insight into the volume of the released gases and their qualitative and quantitative composition. All these information will lead to an earlier prediction and prevention of events that can lead to thermal runaway and thus for improved thermal management and safety systems. ... mehr

The audience will get insights into the use of battery calorimetry to record thermal and safety data of cells of different sizes from coin cells to hardcase prismatic cells. It will be made clear how these data help to understand thermal behavior and the exothermic reactions triggering thermal runaway. In addition, delegates will be introduced to the use of gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy for analyzing venting gases.