Lithium battery and fire

Discussion in 'Chemistry' started by timojin, Nov 18, 2016.

  1. timojin Valued Senior Member

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    What causes fire in the battery ?
     
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  3. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    1) Short circuits that provide an ignition source (a spark) and heat
    2) Aqueous electrolyte that decomposes to oxygen
    3) Flammable materials (plastic separator, graphite anode)
     
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  5. timojin Valued Senior Member

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    How what kind of short do you refer ?
    Do they use aqueous electrolyte ?
     
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  7. DaveC426913 Valued Senior Member

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  8. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    Shorts caused by dendrite growth (caused by fast charging) material defects or mechanical damage.
    Yes.
     
  9. timojin Valued Senior Member

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    I had an impression they use methylcarbonate
     
  10. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, they use materials like ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carboate and diethyl carbonate. All those contain oxygen. Note that this is just the solution that the lithium salts are dissolved in; the salts are the active material.
     
  11. timojin Valued Senior Member

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    I am not sure water is really necessary . In the past as I worked with polyglycols some if them dissolve chloride salts so I would not be surprising if the salts have to be solubilised in water . I assume the main solvent is methyl carbonate, but welcome to contradict me if you have the real information . I am willing to learn .
     
  12. billvon Valued Senior Member

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    It's not. The organic solvents above do not contain water, for example. Lithium ion batteries are made with both. Modern batteries generally use organic solvents like ethylene carbonate.
     
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  13. timojin Valued Senior Member

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    So what causes fire in lithium battery ?
     
  14. Ophiolite Valued Senior Member

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    Refer to posts 2 and 4. If you are having problems with the English language there is a section for that.
     
  15. timojin Valued Senior Member

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    I don't think I have problem. Tell me do you have a problem with this explanation

    #1 aqueous solution will not burn. That is for your criticism # 2
    # 2 dendrite grow in metallic surfaces.

    Now I believe during charging or overcharging the cobalt oxide anode can release oxygen and in presence of organic solvent a fire ca be initiated in the cell
     
  16. karenmansker HSIRI Banned

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    Overall cause? Trying to cram too much energy, too quickly, into a limited capacity storage device . H-m-m-m-m-m- . . . . reminds me of another similar circumstance that happened 13.5 by (or so) ago . . . . . called "Big Bang! tee hee)
     
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  17. Beaconator Valued Senior Member

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    Lithium is the power source and has many different isotopes. Most are radioactive. So while some materials are the source for ignition the cause is the lithium itself.

    I recommend adding iridium to key points if you are attempting to make your own battery. Good for sunglasses

    Arnnett
     
  18. timojin Valued Senior Member

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    Why are you mentioning good for sun glasses
     

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