Lithiumsafety

What Takes Place Inside Lithium Batteries?
Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer cell technology, possesses a fantastic gravimetric power-to-weight ratio, making it particularly attractive to aero-modellers . It is for this reason that it isespecially well suited to the latest electric models, because although motors have become moreefficient, the current required to power the models, particularly when performing 3D aerobatics hassteadily increased. The expectations of the user to access this energy safely, is behind many ofthe problems being experienced today.
In the 1970s and 1980s, cell manufacturers introduced commercial rechargeable cells based onmetallic Lithium. Unfortunately, some of these batteries quickly earned a dubious reputation forsafety. Metallic Lithium in rechargeable batteries has now been replaced by Lithium kept in itsionic state, usually in the form of Lithium-Cobalt-Oxide. In this way most of the electrochemicalbenefits of Lithium-based cells can be reaped without the safety issues associated with the volatilemetallic Lithium.
In order to maintain safety, the present Lithium-Ion technology must still be treated responsiblyand with respect. It appears that many users of this technology are being lulled into a false senseof security, for it is perfectly possible to implement this technology poorly, resulting in a potentiallydangerous battery. To this effect, and with past history behind it, the International Civil AviationOrganisation (ICAO) has introduced stringent regulations that preclude the transportation ofLithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer batteries without a Manufacturer’s Air Transportation Certificate.
The certificate attests that the product being transported meets those regulations (falsedeclarations incur severe penalties). In addition, batteries with more than 8g ‘Lithium EquivalentContent’*, are considered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as ‘Class 9Dangerous Goods’ and must be transported in a specific way if transported by air.
Potential Dangers
Despite the aforementioned advances in electrochemical structure, Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer batteries remain inherently intolerant of overcharge, over-discharge, high current abuseand excessive temperatures, and all reputable batteries in other industries contain electronicprotection circuits that are designed to protect both the battery and the user if these conditions arebrought about.
Overcharge
The target charging voltage of a Lithium-Ion cell is 4.2V +/- 0.05V per cell, with +0.150V being the
extreme at which most protection circuits will operate to prevent over-volting the cell, as consistent
overcharging can cause the plating of metallic Lithium within the cell. Bringing metallic Lithium
back into the equation will cause instability, especially if the cell is of lower manufactured quality,
and especially if any moisture has been introduced inadvertently during the production process.
Over-discharge
Over discharging can cause copper plating that leads to internal shorting within the cell. The
protection circuits should stop discharge well before the battery gets below 2.5V per cell. Some
protection circuits permanently disconnect if a voltage below 1.5V is observed, rendering the pack
permanently inoperable for safety reasons.
High Current Abuse
If the battery is discharged at an excessive rate, the excessive transition of Ions can bring about a
breakdown in the crystalline-layered structure of the plates of a cobalt oxide Lithium-Ion or
Lithium-Polymer cell. This can lead to a sudden rise in temperature that could possibly ignite the
organic solvent of the electrolyte (which will not self extinguish).
High Temperature Abuse
As with high current abuse, if the battery reaches excessive temperatures, an excessive transition
of Ions can occur, bringing about a breakdown in the crystalline-layered structure of the plates of a
cobalt oxide Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer cell. This can lead to a further rise in temperature,
eventually leading to ‘Thermal Runaway’ igniting the organic solvent of the electrolyte (which will
not self extinguish).
Quality Considerations
Quality
Quality, branded cells are a vital prerequisite to the creation of a safe Lithium-Ion or Lithium-
Polymer battery. Poor quality cells may develop internal shorts, or their electrolyte may be
contaminated, giving rise to further problems. It is rather concerning to note that such products are
potentially being imported into the model market at present.
A quality product, is designed around safety protection at every level. As the electronic protectioncircuits are vital for the safe operation of a Lithium-Ion battery, it is essential that they, in turn,should be protected by correct layout. The top manufacturers use conformal coating on theircircuit boards for an even higher level of protection. The electrolyte is a highly corrosive andconductive organic solvent. If the electrolyte were to be liberated for whatever reason, perhaps asthe result of impact or a manufacturing defect, an electrical potential between them, such as thevoltage across the battery terminals or two points on a pcb can result in a conductive path beingbuilt-up through the electrolyte, this can then lead to ignition.
Summery
If a Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer battery cuts out, behaves strangely, or becomes excessively
hot consider why this may have happened. Check the state of charge of each cell and ensure the
load applied is not unsuitable. It is not good practice to draw excessive current over extended
periods routinely. Operating a Lithium-Ion battery within its correct rating will enable the battery to
achieve its expected cycle life and capacity. Always operate within the manufacturers rating but be
aware that some manufacturers like to exaggerate the rating of their products. Whatever the
subtleties of chemistry employed, all Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer batteries remain similar in that
they can be potentially dangerous or designed and manufactured to be safe.
* The revised version of the 44th edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, Section 2, (effective Jan 2003)states that the maximum lithium equivalent content for conventional air transportation of rechargeable lithium batteriesmust not exceed 8g. If the lithium equivalent content exceeds 8g then the battery must be transported as ‘Class-9Dangerous Goods’, with the appropriate approved packaging, and clearly marked as such. The battery also has to betested and approved by an independent test house. To calculate the lithium equivalent content of a lithium battery thefollowing formula is used: n x C x 0.3, where n = the number of cells, and C = the Ah rating of each cell.
Let’s take an example, a 4Sx4P (4-in-series x 4-in-parallel) battery pack made up of 2.0Ah Li-Po cells would be (n)16x (C) 2.0 x 0.3 = 9.6g lithium equivalent content, making our example a ‘Class-9’ battery. So as you can see, it onlytakes a 14.8V 8Ah (118Wh) battery to enter the ‘Class-9’ classification.
Mark Hopkins March 2005 www.markhopkins.co.uk/docs/LithiumSafety.pdf

Source: http://www.markhopkins.co.uk/docs/lithiumsafety.pdf