04-Oct-17

Lithium

Duta Mas Fatmawati

Blok B 2 No. 28-29 JL. R.S Fatmawati No. 39 Jakarta Selatan
Telp : 021-7269639/40
Fax : 0217269441

Overview

Types of Lithium Batteries

Uses
What makes Lithium Ion batteries different
How constructed
How they Fail
Hazards Associated with Failure
Main causes of failure

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Overview (continued)

Actions to take in case of failure

Standards, regulations and lessons learned
Statistics and cases

Two types of Lithium Batteries

Lithium Metal Batteries

Non-rechargable, one use
Watches, flashlights , ELTs, DFDR/CVR pingers

Lithium Ion Batteries

Rechargable
Cell phones, cameras, laptop computers, power
tools, motorcycles

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Lithium Metal Batteries

Lithium primary
Can look similar to a non-lithium battery
Single unit (cells)
Generally smaller than lithium ion

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Lithium Ion Batteries

Not a simple cell
Best called battery packs ( a battery is not a battery in
the common usage)
Multi-component electrical device
Contains a micro-processor (onboard computer)
Numbers in existence
Start degrading immediately after
manufacture, 2-3 years useful life, exceptions

Lithium Ion

Prefer partial discharge

Complete discharge ruined
Sensitive to heat

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Lithium Ion Battery Components

What makes Lithium Batteries

Different?
Materials
Power
Difficulty of Manufacture
Handling Considerations

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Materials
Li-on pressurized, metal case
Vent for overpressure
Primary Lithium lithium metal electrode
Lithium ion Lithium Cobalt Oxide LiCoO2,
also Lithium Iron Phosphate, Lithium
Manganese Oxide
Li-ion Anode carbon, graphite
Flammable electrolyte

Power

Lithium ion stores 150 watt hours per 1 kg

NiMH Nickle Metal Hydride -100 watt hours
per 1 kg
Lead Acid 25 watt hours per 1 kg

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Difficulty of Manufacture

First discovered in 1970s

1979-1989 development around the world
1991 Sony & Asahi Kasei introduces first
commercial lithium ion
2002-2004 MIT substantial improvements
2011- li-ions were 66% of rechargeable market
in Japan

Handling Requirements

Tesla recall adds aluminum shielding to deflect

road debris
Careful handing to prevent dropping and
puncture especially as cargo
Sensitive to heat and cold, no charging below
0 Celsius.
Must ensure external electrodes do not
connect

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How They Fail

Thermal run-away
Excessive discharge
Short circuit, usually internal short
Short circuit uncontrolled flow of electrons
from one electrode to another
High pressure buildup

How They Fail

Separator sheet keeps positive and negative
electrodes apart -puncture
High energy discharge not moderated by
internal regulator
Temperatures initiate adjacent cells
Venting
Flammable electrolyte
Fire, continued thermal run-away
Puncture to vent-fire could take seconds to
hours

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Hazards

Fire
Smoke
High Temperatures
Explosion
Initiate adjacent cells

Main Causes of Failure

Short circuits most common cause of fires

Puncture causing internal short circuit
Handling also common cause of failure
Incorrect charging
Substandard materials or substandard
counterfeit manufacture

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Actions to Take

IATA Guidance on Handling Dangerous Goods

Incidents and Lithium Battery Fires in the Passenger
Cabin May, 2012
Lithium Batteries are classified as Dangerous
Goods and regulated for transport by air.
UN 3090 Lithium metal
UN 3480 Lithium ion

IATA Guidance

IATAs DG regulation are IAW ICAO technical

instruction
Crew members and pax are permitted to carry
lithium battery powered equipment in
checked and carryon baggage
Crew members and pax are permitted to carry
spare batteries for those devices

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IATA Guidance
Spare batteries musts be carried in carry on
baggage
To be permitted in crew and pax baggage:
Lithium metal batteries must not have more
than 2 grams of lithium , not larger than AA
Lithium ion must not have watt-hour rating of
more than 100 watt hours typical laptop is 53
watt hours
Airlines may grant exceptions for up to 160 watt hours

IATA Guidance

Spare batteries must be in carryon baggage

and not more than 2 spares per person
Airlines should have clear procedures
A lithium battery fire should NOT be treated
as a Class D fire.

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IATA Guidance Fighting a Lithium

Battery Fire
Remove external electrical power source
Extinguish the fire
Cool the remaining cells to prevent thermal
runaway
Halon or Halon replacement and/or water
extinguishers can be used to control the fire
and prevent it spread to surrounding
flammable material

IATA Guidance- Fighting a Lithium

Battery Fire
Follow extinguishment of the fire with
immediate dousing with water and/or other
non-flammable liquid from any available
source to douse the fire
Monitor for re-occurrence and continue to
pour liquids until cells cool
Examples: water, juice, coffee, tea, soft drinks

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IATA Guidance- Fighting a Lithium

Battery Fire
Do not pick up or attempt to move a burning
or smoking device
Do not use ice, this insulates
Notify the pilot in command
Notify authorities upon landing

Lessons Learned

Never disassemble a cell or battery pack

Avoid placing on hot surfaces
Use PPE when responding
Heat is the enemy, large amounts of water
Avoid batteries, flashlights, and other battery
powered devices from countries and sources
you are not 100% sure of

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None of the incidents involved consumer-type

batteries in their retail packaging
Only use original equipment chargers
DHL will not accept defective or damaged cells
(confirmed or suspected)
A hot cell is a red flag
Dropped cells or battery packs should be
treated as a hot cell.
Smoke is a major hazard as well as fire and
high temperatures

Summary

Reduce number and size of lithium batteries

on board
Protect from mishandling and puncture
Only charge with manufacturer equipment
Lithium ion battery packs composed of
multiple cells
Thermal runaway

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