Hazards Associated with Lithium Battery Overvoltages

Energy storage technologies, including lithium batteries, are indispensable to the process of decarbonization. This study is concerned with the behavior of lithium batteries with a manganese dioxide cathode in the event of overvoltage and the associated hazards. A dynamic battery model was employed in this study, which utilized a variety of battery configurations, including new and used batteries arranged in single, series, and parallel combinations. This research yielded the following primary findings. New batteries demonstrate a rapid temperature rise, even in response to low overvoltages. This phenomenon can result in gas leakage and, in extreme cases, battery fire. At high overvoltages, the temperature rises significantly in partially discharged batteries, while in discharged batteries, the temperature increase is minimal. A notable increase in temperature was observed in parallel battery configurations relative to series arrangements, with the highest temperature recorded in the parallel-connected battery. The findings of this study are of significant value in the context of the adoption of thermal insulation measures, safety measures against fires and explosions, and safer arrangements of batteries when used in isolation or with series or parallel connections.