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When Lithium-ion Batteries Explode-(Tesla has 6340 per car)
dailytech ^ | May 27, 2008 6:47 P | Paul Mah

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)


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: batteries; energy; fire; tesla
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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

1 posted on 06/02/2008 7:31:33 PM PDT by Flavius
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To: Flavius

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.


2 posted on 06/02/2008 7:34:58 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (OVERPRODUCTION......... one of the top five worries for American farmers.)
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To: Flavius

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeWq6rWzChw


3 posted on 06/02/2008 7:38:25 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
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To: Flavius
Also there is another disadvantage to these type of batteries when used in transportation. When they die, they're gone compared to a lead acid battery that can work in a degraded condition and be jump started.
4 posted on 06/02/2008 7:39:24 PM PDT by Hillarys Gate Cult (The man who said "there's no such thing as a stupid question" has never talked to Helen Thomas.)
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To: Flavius
"If fire or explosion occurs when batteries are on charge, shut off power to charger.

"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."

Lithium Ion Battery Product Data Sheet

5 posted on 06/02/2008 7:39:42 PM PDT by Left2Right ("Democracy isn't perfect, but other governments are so much worse (especially Iran's)")
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To: Left2Right

whos going to be carrying that in their green car


6 posted on 06/02/2008 7:44:07 PM PDT by Flavius (war gives peace its security)
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To: Flavius

Lemme guess: the Li-Ion batteries would be made in China...


7 posted on 06/02/2008 7:46:00 PM PDT by Redbob (WWJBD - "What Would Jack Bauer Do?")
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To: Balding_Eagle

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.


8 posted on 06/02/2008 7:46:13 PM PDT by MediaMole
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To: Redbob

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


9 posted on 06/02/2008 7:47:13 PM PDT by Flavius (war gives peace its security)
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To: Flavius
The Tesla Roadster is powered by 6,831 rechargeable lithium-ion batteries –

And how much does each of these batteries weigh?

10 posted on 06/02/2008 7:47:28 PM PDT by umgud
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To: Flavius

What kind of batteries dose the Prius use?


11 posted on 06/02/2008 7:47:40 PM PDT by chaos_5
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To: chaos_5

. 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,


12 posted on 06/02/2008 7:48:55 PM PDT by Flavius (war gives peace its security)
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To: Flavius
Thanks!

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.

13 posted on 06/02/2008 7:51:48 PM PDT by chaos_5
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To: Balding_Eagle

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-)


14 posted on 06/02/2008 7:56:17 PM PDT by MCCRon58 (Freedom does not mean you are free from the consequences of your own freely made decisions.)
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To: Flavius
Sorry, not an effective argument against the electric car.

When gasoline explodes.
15 posted on 06/02/2008 7:56:26 PM PDT by mysterio
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To: mysterio

you have a gasoline powered cellphone in your pocket


16 posted on 06/02/2008 8:00:47 PM PDT by Flavius (war gives peace its security)
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To: MCCRon58

LOL

Ever see a BA5598 after it got wet?

Batteries of all kinds can be dangerous....


17 posted on 06/02/2008 8:06:54 PM PDT by ASOC
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To: Flavius

No, I’m just happy to see you.


18 posted on 06/02/2008 8:09:10 PM PDT by mysterio
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To: Flavius; Balding_Eagle; MediaMole; chaos_5
Exclusive! From our Freeper Future-Cam® !

August 6, 2009: "A test run of Tesla's new offshore racing hydroplane goes horribly wrong"

Could be worse, though:

Ford Nucleon


19 posted on 06/02/2008 8:14:45 PM PDT by atomic conspiracy (Victory in Iraq: Worst defeat for activist media since Goebbels shot himself.)
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To: Flavius

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.


20 posted on 06/02/2008 8:15:40 PM PDT by weegee (Obama 2008 motto; Get on the bus, or prepare to be thrown under it.)
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