Posted on 06/02/2008 7:31:32 PM PDT by Flavius
Lithium-ion batteries are both a blessing and a curse when it comes to mobile electronics
The topic of exploding lithium-ion batteries has been debated to death in the wake of massive battery recalls over the last couple of years. Amidst the deft public relations maneuvering and finger-pointing, however, the question as to why they explode in the first place is still shrouded in mystery for many.
The most important thing to understand here is that lithium-ion technology is considerably more volatile compared to other forms of rechargeable battery technologies. Defects in the insulating membrane can result in a mini-explosion that rips a battery open to release steam in excess of 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
BlackBerry Curve battery: Cells made in Japan, but assembled where? (Source: Paul Mah)
The trick? The Tesla Roadster is powered by 6,831 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries – the same cells that run a laptop computer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeWq6rWzChw
I’ve raised this issue many a time.
Bad enough when a laptop battery explodes, at least you can jump up and run away. You may not be able to do that in a car.
"In case of fire where lithium ion batteries are present, flood the area with water. If any batteries are burning, water may not extinguish them, but will cool the adjacent batteries and control the spread of fire. CO2, dry chemical, and foam extinguishers are preferred for small fires, but also may not extinguish burning lithium ion batteries. Burning batteries will burn themselves out. Virtually all fires involving lithium ion batteries can be controlled with water. When water is used, however, hydrogen gas may be evolved which can form an explosive mixture with air. LITH-X (powdered graphite) or copper powder fire extinguishers, sand, dry ground dolomite or soda ash may also be used. These materials act as smothering agents.
"Fire fighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus. Burning lithium ion batteries can produce toxic fumes including HF, oxides of carbon, aluminum, lithium, copper, and cobalt. Volatile phosphorus pentafluoride may form at a temperature above 230° F."
whos going to be carrying that in their green car
Lemme guess: the Li-Ion batteries would be made in China...
Lithium Ion batteries burn when they are crushed. A bad crash between a Tesla and a gas-powered vehicle is a recipe for an ugly fire.
China BAK to supply Li-ion batteries for HP notebooks
Posted : 15 Aug 2007 Add to Favorites Print Version Email Send inquiry
Intersil Corporation
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Lithium-based battery maker China BAK Battery Inc. has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Hewlett-Packard Co., under which both parties will partner to reach a definitive agreement for BAK to supply Li-ion battery cells to HP.
http://www.eetasia.com/ART_8800475813_765245_NT_799a043b.HTM
And how much does each of these batteries weigh?
What kind of batteries dose the Prius use?
. The Prius they ran around still uses the Prius’s current nickel-metal hydride battery packs—a pair, actually, with the charging system jimmied in between them—though Toyota hopes to switch to lithium ion,
I'm still waiting for the horror stories of the hazmat clean ups, and thermal runaways, that are bound to happen with these hybrids sooner or later.
Pretty hard to do also when the gas in a fuel tank explodes. Looks like its a risk, no matter what you drive.
( of course if we wish to be totally risk averse, we can always let big brother take care of it for us (-sickly grin-)
you have a gasoline powered cellphone in your pocket
LOL
Ever see a BA5598 after it got wet?
Batteries of all kinds can be dangerous....
No, I’m just happy to see you.
August 6, 2009: "A test run of Tesla's new offshore racing hydroplane goes horribly wrong"
Could be worse, though:
It is BS for the industry to steal Nikola Tesla’s name this way.
If he had his way, there would be no battery in the car, you’d be using wireless current.
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