10 Best Ways to Store Lithium Batteries Safety

Lithium batteries are used in more and more fields because of their large capacity and no memory effect.

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If lithium batteries are improperly stored and maintained, they may be damaged or even cause fires, explosions and other accidents. So, how should lithium batteries be safely stored?

Part 1. Lithium battery storage warehouse

Warehouses storing lithium batteries should meet the following requirements.

1. Lithium batteries and lithium battery packs are dangerous goods. To ensure the safety of subsequent handling and transportation, all lithium batteries and lithium battery packs must pass the UN38.3 test.

2. Due to the characteristics of lithium batteries, the storage environment must be within 18-25°C. (The lithium battery testing environment must also maintain this temperature).

The higher the temperature, the faster the battery capacity decays.

When lithium battery cells are stored at room temperature or below, more than 90% of the remaining capacity can be obtained after 54 months.

3. Effectively control the humidity of the lithium battery warehouse. Avoid warehouses exposed to extreme humidity (relative humidity above 90% or below 40%) for long periods.

4. Lithium battery warehouses need to be physically separated by brick walls. Warehouses must use closed, explosion-proof, or other safety electrical lighting equipment.

5. Places storing flammable and explosive items should be equipped with sufficient variety and quantity firefighting equipment. And always in good condition. (Dry powder fire extinguisher must be equipped with a fire bucket filled with water for firefighting).
6. Where there are lithium batteries, fireworks, and smoking must be strictly prohibited.
7. Stacking flammable and explosive substances in the storage environment is strictly prohibited.

Part 2. Li-ion battery storage environment

1. Lithium batteries should be stored in a well-ventilated, dry, or cool place. High temperature and high humidity damage lithium batteries and erode the surface of lithium batteries.
2. Lithium battery cartons should not be stacked beyond the specified height. If too many cartons are stacked together, the lithium battery on the bottom layer may be deformed, and there is a risk of battery leakage.
3. Batteries should be stored away from direct sunlight or rain. If the battery is exposed to water, the insulation resistance will decrease, and self-discharge and rust may occur.
4. Do not stack batteries randomly, as this may cause short circuits or damage the battery.
5. Items likely to cause combustion or explosion when in contact with each other and items with different fire extinguishing methods should be stored in isolation.

Part 3. How to safely transport lithium batteries?

• When handling lithium batteries, handle them properly to prevent materials from falling or being damaged.
• Issues such as load, stacking, and directionality should be considered when handling lithium batteries.
• When using a forklift or cart, the loading method should be heavy first and then light. Load and unload carefully to prevent damage to the lithium battery circuit.

Part 4. 10 best ways to store lithium batteries

1. If the lithium battery is not used for a long time, it should be kept at a 50%-60% state of charge. A supplementary charge should be carried out every three months. It should be charged and discharged every six months.
2. During transportation, lithium batteries should be protected from moisture and moisture. They should be protected from extrusion, collision, etc., to avoid battery damage.
3. Do not use or place lithium batteries under high temperatures (in hot sunlight or in very hot cars). Otherwise, it may cause the battery to overheat, catch fire, malfunction, and shorten its life.
4. Storing in places with strong static electricity and strong magnetic fields is prohibited. Otherwise, damaging the lithium battery safety protection device is easy, causing hidden dangers.
5. If the battery emits a strange smell, generates heat, changes color, deforms, or appears abnormally abnormal during use, storage, or charging, immediately remove the battery from the device or charger and stop using it.
6. The warehouse for storing lithium battery cells and lithium battery packs should be set up independently. The storage area should have a conspicuous &#;No Fireworks&#; sign. Piling up combustibles and flammable items around is strictly prohibited.
7. Battery and cell warehouses should be equipped with video surveillance and smoke and temperature alarm devices. The alarm signal should be transmitted to a 24-hour manned location.
8. Batteries and cells should be placed neatly. Do not stack them too high. Storage facilities should be made of non-combustible materials, and anti-static measures should be taken.
9. The temperature of batteries and battery cell warehouses should be controlled within the range of 20±5&#;. The maximum temperature shall not exceed 30&#;, and the relative humidity shall not exceed 75%. Keep the warehouse clean, dry, well-ventilated,and free of other items.
10. Discarded lithium batteries should be wrapped with insulating paper to wrap the electrodes. To prevent fire and explosion.

Part 5. How to deal with dangerous lithium batteries?

What should I do if the lithium battery gets hot?

Lithium batteries generate heat when charging and discharging (when in use). But the temperature is usually below 60 degrees. In the event of an internal or external short circuit in the lithium battery, the temperature will reach hundreds or even hundreds of degrees.

At this time, the lithium battery must be isolated and placed in the sand. Be careful not to touch the lithium battery directly with your hands; otherwise, you will be burned. Wait for the lithium battery temperature to drop to normal temperature before scrapping it.

What should I do if the lithium battery burns or explodes?

It is very dangerous if a lithium battery burns or explodes. People must stay away. Battery burning will not create an open flame. Under the premise of taking protective measures, if a single or very few lithium batteries burn or explode, they can be directly covered with sand. If a large fire area occurs, cool down with water first and then put out the fire with a dry powder fire extinguisher.

Part 6. Summary

Lithium batteries are widely used in various consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones, power supplies, new energy vehicles, etc. It has high hopes for its advantages such as high energy density, long life, small size, and lightweight. Because of its very active chemical properties, lithium metal&#;s processing, storage, and use have very high environmental requirements.

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A slight carelessness (such as a short circuit, high temperature, extrusion and impact, overcharging, etc.) may cause the lithium battery to explode. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the manufacturing and storing lithium-ion batteries. During use and storage, relevant safety management methods and specifications for lithium batteries must be strictly followed.

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Gerald

Electronic Engineering Writer

Li-Ion Battery Positioning and Placement During Storage

Secure the batteries: Store batteries such that they are not at risk of being dropped, falling, crushed, or punctured. Physical damage can lead to internal short circuits causing battery failure.

Store batteries upright: Storing batteries upright helps:

• Prevent leaks of the flammable electrolyte in case they are not sealed properly.
• Ensure batteries equipped with venting systems work properly avoiding internal pressure buildup.
• Avoid physical damage from falls or tipping over.
• Maintain uniform distribution of electrolytes which improves service life and performance.
• Prevent internal components from shifting which can cause short circuits and battery failure.

Protect batteries from loose metal objects: Keep batteries away from loose metal objects, such as screws, nails, tools, etc. to prevent short circuits.

Maintain separation from other batteries/objects: Batteries and battery packs should never be stacked on top of each other or have items placed on top of them. Rather, batteries should be stored in a single layer or in properly designed racks that prevent them from touching or applying pressure to each other. Doing so helps avoid risks such as:

• Physical damage which can cause internal short circuits and/or leaking electrolyte.
• Battery terminals contacting each other potentially creating a short circuit and rapid discharge which generates heat and can catch fire.
• Interference with heat dissipation, particularly during charging.
• Stability problems because improperly stacked batteries are far more likely to fall or tip over.

Long-Term Battery Storage

When storing li ion batteries for periods of one month or longer, there are a few additional precautions to take that improve the batteries&#; service life and performance as well as safety.

During long-term storage, batteries should never be continuously charging, nor should they be fully charged or fully discharged. The rationale for each is as follows:

• Continuously charging: Battery failure is most likely to occur during charging. Continuously charging over long periods of time greatly increases the risk. Additionally, continuous charging stresses the battery and can greatly shorten its service life.
• Fully charged: A fully charged state creates more internal stress on the battery. This can accelerate degradation of internal components and increase the risk of swelling and/or leakage. Either of these will degrade battery performance and service life and can create a safety hazard.
• Fully discharged: Li ion batteries have protection features built in that depend on a minimum voltage threshold to function properly. Storing a fully discharged battery for extended periods can cause irreversible damage which can render the battery inoperable. It can also cause conditions allowing the creation of copper filaments inside the lithium-ion cell which can lead to short circuits and battery failure.

Most battery manufacturers recommend storing batteries with a 30% to 50% state of charge (SOC) for optimal performance and service life. Interestingly, the amendments to  International Fire Code (IFC) regarding li ion battery storage grant waivers to their storage requirements when li ion batteries are stored with an SOC that does not exceed 30%. Batteries with 30% or less charge are considered less hazardous for storage purposes and have less chance of catastrophic failure.

Along with storing li ion batteries at the proper SOC, they should also be regularly monitored and inspected while in storage. The charge level of the batteries should be checked every few months. If the battery experiences self-discharge below 30%, the battery should be recharged back to not more than 30% SOC to maintain battery health.

The batteries should also be visually inspected for any signs of damage or swelling. Damaged or swollen batteries are a safety risk and should be removed and properly disposed of or recycled.

Short-Term Battery Storage

Short-term storage is considered to be a few days up to one month. While conditions such as the level of charge are not as critical, it is still recommended to store them at an SOC not greater than 30%. As with long-term storage, batteries should never be continuously charging while in the short-term.

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