Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Batteries: Incidents, Kinetics of the Runaway and Assessment of Factors Affecting Its Initiation

A study of thermal runaway phenomena in Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIB) was conducted following different approaches. Risks related to thermal runaway are presented based on a series of incidents involving overheating, fires and explosions with these batteries in different devices; significant cases that have occurred in airplane battery cells are shown. An overview of the possible promoters for the thermal event is presented by studying compounds and reactions involved. Kinetic parameter calculations were performed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) data available from the literature. Preliminary molecular simulations were made in order to understand mechanisms and related paths proposed. Finally, the system was studied from the perspective of process safety and the theory of runaway reactions. (C) 2016 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.