Explosion Characteristics of NCM Lithium-Ion Battery Vent Gases After Thermal Runaway Under High Temperature Conditions

doi:10.12068/j.issn.1005-3026.2025.20230268

Abstract

Abstract:

In order to evaluate the risk of deflagration in high temperature environments caused by NCM lithium-ion battery vent gas （BVG） after thermal runaway， the explosion characteristics and laminar burning velocity of BVG at different initial temperature θ₀ （25~120 ℃） were tested using an 8 L explosive chamber and a Bunsen burner. At the same time， the influence mechanisms of laminar burning velocity（S_L） at room temperature and high temperatures were further analyzed by CHEMKIN numerical simulations. The results show that the LFL doesn’t change significantly with the increase of the initial temperature， and UFL increases. When θ₀ increases to 120 °C， p_max decreases from 0.62 MPa to 0.45 MPa， and the relationship with θ₀ is exponential. Affected by both positive and negative effects，（dp/dt）_max decreases to different degrees with the increase of θ₀； LOC decreases exponentially from 7.39% to 7.03%； S_L increases with the increase of θ₀. It is also found that C₂H₄ and H₂ are the decisive factors affecting the combustion and explosion damage degree of BVG. The research results can provide a reference for the risk assessment and prevention of environmental deflagration caused by thermal runaway in NCM lithium-ion batteries.

Key words: lithium-ion battery, thermal runaway, explosion characteristics, limiting oxygen concentration（LOC）, laminar burning velocity, mechanism analysis

CLC Number:

X 932

Gang LI, Xiu-peng ZHANG, Wei-da CHANG, Wei ZHOU. Explosion Characteristics of NCM Lithium-Ion Battery Vent Gases After Thermal Runaway Under High Temperature Conditions[J]. Journal of Northeastern University(Natural Science), 2025, 46(4): 78-86.

Figures/Tables 16

Table 1 Fire and explosion accidents caused by thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries

序号	时间	事故描述	事故原因
1	2010年3月	两台iPod Nano音乐播放器过热起火，日本	锂离子电池过热^[4]
2	2011年4月	电动出租车起火，中国杭州	短路导致电解液燃烧
3	2013年10月	6辆特斯拉Model S新能源汽车起火	因碰撞造成电池短路、电池自燃等
4	2015年4月	电动公交车在充电过程中起火，中国深圳	BMS故障导致蓄电池过充
5	2017年10月	电动汽车起火，奥地利	撞车后汽车的锂离子电池起火
6	2019年4月	1个2 MW的储能系统发生爆炸，美国亚利桑那州	电池内部缺陷^[5]
7	2021年4月	电化学储能系统发生爆炸，中国北京	单体电池内部发生短路^[6]
8	2023年6月	新能源汽车碰撞收费站设施后起火	因碰撞造成电池短路、电池自燃等

Table 2 Typical components of NCM lithium-ion

气体种类	CO₂	CO	H₂	CH₄	C₂H₄
体积分数	37.3	28.9	0.7	5.4	5.7

Fig.1 8 L explosion characteristic test system

Fig.2 Test system of laminar burning velocity

Fig.3 Laminar burning velocity of pure methane

Fig.4 Influence of initial temperature on explosive limits and explosive range

Fig.5 Changes in maximum explosion pressure at different initial temperatures

Fig.6 Maximum explosion pressure of the optimal concentration at different initial temperatures

Fig.7 Maximum explosion pressure and its arrival time at different initial temperatures

Fig.8 Changes of maximum pressure rise rate at different initial temperatures and volume fractions

Fig.9 Change of maximum pressure rise rate with initial temperature at optimal concentration

Fig.10 Changes of LOC for BVG at different initial temperatures

Fig.11 Laminar premixed flame images of BVG at different initial temperatures

Fig.12 Laminar burning velocity of BVG at different initial temperatures

Fig.13 Numerical analysis on the explosion mechanism of binary fuel blends

Table 3 Maximum laminar burning velocity of H2

温度/℃	燃烧速度/（cm·s^-1）
温度/℃	H₂	C₂H₄	CH₄
25	311.06	9.27	37.51
120	468.34	140.07	60.61

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