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Mining Contract: Evaluating the Inherent Safety of Li-ion Batteries in Portable Electronics Used in Underground Mine Environments
Keywords: Batteries Ignitions
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Contract #
200-2013-56808Start Date
9/25/2013End Date
5/31/2016Research Concept
This contract aims to provide a better understanding of the potential risk of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries as an ignition source in an underground mine environment contaminated by methane-air mixtures. The inherent safety of representative Li-ion cells can be studied and experimentally evaluated as a function of cathode and anode chemistry, electrolyte solvent, and state-of-charge, under crush-inducing internal short circuit abuse conditions.Topic Area
Electrical Safety
Contract Status & Impact
This contract is complete. To receive a copy of the final report, send a request to mining@cdc.gov.
Li-ion batteries have become one of the most popular types of rechargeable battery for portable electronics. Li-ion technology provides enhanced energy storage capabilities that lengthen device runtime, shorten the recharge time, and extend the life of the battery. Beyond consumer electronics, Li-ion batteries are now growing in popularity for usage in underground mine safety equipment such as cap lamps, hand-held gas detectors, hand tools, and communications and tracking devices. Li-ion batteries also have well-known thermal runaway safety concerns. MSHA has issued a Program Information Bulletin regarding safety precautions for charging of Li-ion or lithium polymer batteries. With the tendency for Li-ion battery chemistries to undergo thermal runaway—creating a potential ignition source in a mine—it is important that the use of different Li-ion battery chemistries be evaluated as a means for reducing this hazard.
Under this contract, the University of Kentucky evaluated the inherent safety of a variety of Li-ion batteries used in portable electronics. Experiments involved crushing the Li-ion cells to produce internal short circuits while placed within methane-contaminated atmospheres to simulate the mining hazard. The potential ignition hazard was evaluated as a function of cathode and anode chemistry, electrolyte solvent, and state-of-charge (SOC).
The final report from this research recommended lithium titanate battery chemistry as the safest choice of those studied for underground mining environments. Lithium iron phosphate/graphite battery chemistry was deemed appropriate for use in mining environments, although not quite as safe as the lithium titanate battery chemistry. Battery cells featuring cobalt oxide or nickel manganese cobalt cathodes and graphite anodes were shown to be inherently more violent and energetic when crushed and are not recommended for use in underground mining environments. All of the battery chemistries tested in this research can be considered to be “safe” at 50% SOC.
See Also
Are lithium-ion cells intrinsically safe?
Battery Safety Enhancements for Underground Coal Mines
The Brookwood Disaster and Electrical Requirements for Hazardous (Classified) Locations
Further Study of the Intrinsic Safety of Internally Shorted Lithium and Lithium-ion Cells Within Methane-air
Ignition of Methane-Air Mixtures by Laser Heated Small Particles
Methane-Air Mixtures Ignited by CW Laser-Heated Targets on Optical Fiber Tips: Comparison of Targets, Optical Fibers, and Ignition Delays
Methods to De-Energize Batteries
Performance and Safety Investigation of Emergency Backup Batteries and Battery Charging Systems for Underground Mining Applications
Technological Aspects of Solid-State and Incandescent Sources for Miner Cap Lamps
Technology News 473 - The Explosion Hazard From Hydrogen Gas Generation Inside Sealed Frames
Page last reviewed: November 22, 2016
Page last updated: November 22, 2016
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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