Evaluating the fire spread in energy storage systems due to thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries using CFD modelling

The fire spread in energy storage systems (ESS) due to the thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries have become a critical part of society in the everyday lives of humans. The existing research undertaken on Lithium-ion batteries with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling primarily relates to thermal properties of the batteries during use and the way in which they vent. However, very little research has been undertaken to develop full scale modelling of energy storage systems and to understand the fire spread due to the fire incident of lithium-ion batteries. This study aims to develop a FDS model that can predict the fire spread of Lithium-ion batteries in the event of thermal runaway and can be used by Fire Safety Engineers. To achieve the aim of this study, numerical study using FDS has been conducted to understand the effect of different parameters. Literature Review has been conducted in the first stage and then developed FDS model and verified with test data. After that, a parametric analysis has been undertaken utilising the FDS model. The results of the FDS showed that the presence of barriers and the location of the fire had a significant impact on the overall intensity and duration of the fire. It was also noted that the ventilation condition of the barrier had little impact on the results provided the barriers were designed to withstand the fire for the duration of the event. The final verified model could be utilised by Fire Safety Engineers to prepare Performance Solutions in relation to the E1D17 and E2D23 in relation to special hazards for LFP batteries.