Cargo ship carrying almost 3,000 cars aflame off Dutch coast

There is a huge amount of electrical energy stored inside those batteries. If things go south, all of that electrical energy is rapidly released as thermal energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed into a different form.
 
Last edited:
Thermal runaway. All that water does not extinguish the fire. It just keeps the surrounding material a little cooler while the battery does it's thing.
 
Many enclosed and underground parking lots are banning battery powered cars. Some homeowners policies are also restricting them being parked in an attached garage. Fire is something you don't want to mess with. Unless lighting a fine cigar.. :)
 
oldbrownhat said:
Interesting article on fire suppression for li-ion batteries

mar_22_university_of_extrication_pic_3__IMG_5190__v2.61f8025751734.png

After initial knockdown, the remains of a burnt Tesla Model S received copious amounts of water for almost two hours. Note some of the more than 7,000 rechargeable battery cells on the street in the runoff from this fire.
"...Copious amounts of water. Fire Protection ResearchFoundation burn tests revealed that battery reignitions are a real probability until the rechargeable cells are cooled sufficiently and the thermal runaway process is stopped. ...

...In one of the six full-scale li-ion battery test fires that the group carried out, researchers found that more than 2,600 gallons of water were required to extinguish the fire in an approximately 600-lb. li-ion battery..." :eek:​

With the cargo ship, water supply won't be a problem, but getting it onto the burning batteries might be.
Click to expand...

Sounds a bit similar to the China syndrome!

Who know just what is possible as more of those electric Charlie Foxtrots hit the roads and garages?
 
Retired W4 said:
Thermal runaway. All that water does not extinguish the fire. It just keeps the surrounding material a little cooler while the battery does it's thing.
Click to expand...
Another problem, from what I have been reading, is that the batteries in EVs are enclosed in a battery box, so getting water onto the actual batteries is a problem. One company has developed a very high pressure water nozzle to pierce the battery box, but this is a system designed for professional fire crews rather than domestic use.

Not surprisingly, an online search for "suppressing lithium-iron battery fires" turns up a lot of hits!
 
No EV for me-there's a reason there is a glut of them for sale on car lots.

Pretty sure the electric tanks will be a big hit though.

:(
 
oldbrownhat said:
Interesting article on fire suppression for li-ion batteries

mar_22_university_of_extrication_pic_3__IMG_5190__v2.61f8025751734.png

After initial knockdown, the remains of a burnt Tesla Model S received copious amounts of water for almost two hours. Note some of the more than 7,000 rechargeable battery cells on the street in the runoff from this fire.
"...Copious amounts of water. Fire Protection ResearchFoundation burn tests revealed that battery reignitions are a real probability until the rechargeable cells are cooled sufficiently and the thermal runaway process is stopped. ...

...In one of the six full-scale li-ion battery test fires that the group carried out, researchers found that more than 2,600 gallons of water were required to extinguish the fire in an approximately 600-lb. li-ion battery..." :eek:​

With the cargo ship, water supply won't be a problem, but getting it onto the burning batteries might be.
Click to expand...

When you are a rural fire department who relies on tankers for water supply, an EV fire is a nightmare. 1st due engine has a 1000 gallon tank. That should put out a normal vehicle fire.

We have apps on our phones that lists all the specs on EV's. Battery locations, power relay locations, etc.

I will never, ever own an EV. Period.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top