Research on Safety Isolation Schemes for Lithium-Ion Battery Containers in Mixed-Storage Yards of Class 9 Dangerous Goods Containers
Abstract
1. Introduction
- (1)
- TR features across different LIB types;
- (2)
- Fire hazard characteristics;
- (3)
- Fire suppression methods and their effectiveness.
- The polyolefin separator may melt at elevated temperatures, altering its dimensions and shape, or even causing rupture, leading to short circuits and ignition [6];
- Cathode decomposition: Due to the high-energy P=O bonds in (PO4)3− within lithium iron phosphate crystals, the P-O bonds in the cathode remain robust and resistant to breaking during decomposition reactions, releasing small amounts of oxygen [19];
- Anode–electrolyte reactions: The decomposition of the separator, particularly the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, releases heat. Without the protection of the separator, the electrolyte comes into direct contact with the lithium-intercalated anode, leading to redox reactions at high temperatures that release significant amounts of heat [20].
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Problem Statement
2.2. Methodology
- To prevent the concentration of large quantities of LIB containers, which could lead to excessive heat release during TR events and ignite adjacent LIB containers;
- To utilize general cargo containers as thermal barriers, confining the impact of TR incidents and preventing domino effects.
2.3. Fire Characteristics of LIBs
- Neglecting thermal conductivity differences between container walls and interior cargo;
- Ignoring variations in thermal conductivity among different types of cargo within general containers.
2.4. Mathematical–Physical Model of Heat Transfer in General Cargo Containers
- The total heat generation and peak temperatures during TR;
- The resultant air temperature on the opposite side after heat transfer through general cargo container barriers.
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Numerical Analysis of LIB Container TR
- Unit weight range: 35–40 metric tons;
- Battery capacity range: 3.72–5 MWh.
- State of Charge (SOC) Dependence
- The heat release rate exhibits a strong positive correlation with SOC;
- A SOC increase from 10% to 100% yields a 298% enhancement in heat release rate.
- Capacity Influence
- Larger battery capacities generate higher heat release rates;
- Container energy capacity expands from 3.72 MWh to 5 MWh, enabling a 19.4% higher heat release rate;
- This near-linear relationship remains consistent across operational capacity ranges.
- TR Escalation
- Increased container clustering leads to higher participation in cascade failures;
- Peak heat release rate (PHRR) demonstrates positive correlation with container quantity.
- Diminishing Growth Rate
- The PHRR increase factor decays with container quantity;
- 30-container clusters exhibit 7.7× PHRR versus single-container incidents.
- Energy Release Characteristics
- Total thermal energy output shows weak dependence on stacking density;
- The PHRR-to-quantity relationship follows sublinear progression.
3.2. Numerical Analysis of Heat Transfer in General Cargo Containers
3.2.1. Surface Properties of Conventional Containers
- Surface Properties of Conventional ContainersTraditional containers feature corrugated panel surfaces, which constitute structured surfaces. The surface emissivity (ε) is dependent on the following:
- Corrugation profile geometry;
- Surface area characteristics.
- Current methodologies for calculating emissivity of structured surfaces primarily include the following [26]:
- Empirical formula methods;
- Monte Carlo methods;
- Simulation verification methods.
3.2.2. TR Process
4. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
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UN Number | Name and Description | Class and Division | Hazardous Chemical | Packing Group | Subsidiary Hazard | Physical State | Mixed Storage Allowed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UN3480 | LIBs (including polymer LIBs) | 9 | No | II | None | Solid | No |
UN3481 | LIBs packed with or contained in equipment | 9 | No | II | None | Solid | No |
N3536 | LIBs installed in cargo transport units (e.g., energy storage cabinets) | 9 | No | — | None | Solid | Yes |
UN3171 | battery-powered vehicles or equipment | 9 | No | — | None | Solid | Yes |
UN3091 | Lithium metal batteries packed with or contained in equipment | 9 | No | II | None | Solid | No |
Phase | Characteristics |
---|---|
I. Decomposition phase | Gradual temperature increase; separator melting; heat and gas accumulation; and internal pressure buildup, leading to battery expansion |
II. TR phase | Rapid temperature escalation, and vent rupture with spark ejection and explosive sounds |
III. Self-heating termination phase | Temperature decline, and smoke dissipation following ejection cessation |
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Gao, Y.; Deng, J.; Zeng, C. Research on Safety Isolation Schemes for Lithium-Ion Battery Containers in Mixed-Storage Yards of Class 9 Dangerous Goods Containers. Fire 2025, 8, 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire8070249
Gao Y, Deng J, Zeng C. Research on Safety Isolation Schemes for Lithium-Ion Battery Containers in Mixed-Storage Yards of Class 9 Dangerous Goods Containers. Fire. 2025; 8(7):249. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire8070249
Chicago/Turabian StyleGao, Yuan, Jian Deng, and Chunlei Zeng. 2025. "Research on Safety Isolation Schemes for Lithium-Ion Battery Containers in Mixed-Storage Yards of Class 9 Dangerous Goods Containers" Fire 8, no. 7: 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire8070249
APA StyleGao, Y., Deng, J., & Zeng, C. (2025). Research on Safety Isolation Schemes for Lithium-Ion Battery Containers in Mixed-Storage Yards of Class 9 Dangerous Goods Containers. Fire, 8(7), 249. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire8070249