Fire for electronic waste recyclers: lithium-ion battery as a perpetrator?

Fire for electronic waste recyclers: lithium-ion battery as a perpetrator?

Friedland, Deutschland - On Monday afternoon there was a fire in the production hall of New Environplasma VerwertungsCenter GmbH in the Mecklenburg Lake District district. The fire broke out for electronic waste in a sorting and shredding system, which, according to initial investigations, could have been caused by an incorrectly disposed lithium-ion battery. However, a fire expert was able to dispose of the suspicion of negligent arson, such as euwid-recycling

While the employees initially tried to extinguish the fire themselves, a colleague apparently had to struggle with possible flue gas poisoning and had to be taken to the hospital. A total of 83 strengths of several fire brigades were in fire. The property damage is estimated at up to 30,000 euros, which is significantly below the first police estimates of 100,000 euros. The investigation into the exact cause of the fire continues to run.

The dangers of lithium-ion batteries

The use of lithium-ion batteries, which are widespread in many devices and energy storage systems, carries certain risks. In the event of defects, these batteries can cause thermal accumulation (thermal runaway), which leads to a sudden and violent release of energy. The reasons for this dangerous reaction range from overheating to mechanical damage, such as ifsev mentioned.

Important security requirements must be observed when installing and using such inpatient energy storage systems. This includes protection against extreme temperatures, as well as direct sun rays, and dust. Standards such as DIN EN 61427-1 VDE 0510-40 offer clear guidelines on how dangerous situations can be avoided.

meet the fire-threatening lithium-ion battery

In the discussion about the safety of battery storage systems, the selection of the right technology is particularly important. Lithium-iron phosphate batteries (LIFEPO) are considered more secure than their counterparts such as Nickel-Mangan-cobalt batteries (NMC), which can achieve extremely high temperatures of over 700 degrees Celsius in the event of overheating. Opportunities for risk reduction include integrated fire extinguishing systems and effective battery management systems that monitor temp and tension. PV-Magazin emphasizes that the correct technology and safety measures are decisive.

The integration of battery storage is not only important for individual energy use, but also for the overarching, sustainable energy supply. By storing electricity at low prices, users can also benefit at expensive times and reduce their operating costs. In addition, it was found that only 10 fires occurred with over 130,000 photovoltaic stores installed, with nine of them being due to lithium-ion batteries.

The previous events in Friedland serve as an urgent memory that both attention and the necessary specialist knowledge are required when dealing with lithium-ion batteries. Fire brigade and companies are required to always ensure the security of using and storing energy storage in order to avoid such incidents.