FTIR gas analysis at thermal runaway and battery fires

Battery Testing & FTIR

As a result of the rapid growth of electric vehicles, large-scale production and storage of batteries has emerged. Currently, the lithium battery is the most widely used type for EVs. Battery manufacturers are therefore strongly interested in research related to safety during storage and use of these batteries. In this context, the following key focus areas can be identified:

1. Safety during thermal runaway and the release of gases and vapours during a battery fire;
2. Leakage of hazardous substances or gases;
3. Combustion products generated during a battery fire;
4. Gas detection in storage and logistics of battery energy systems.

Thermal runaway and battery fire

A thermal runaway is an unwanted chemical process in which the temperature of a single cell rises sharply. This heat can spread to adjacent cells, potentially leading to a chain reaction throughout the battery pack. During this process, a flammable and toxic gas mixture is released. Faulty wiring or damaged enclosures can trigger such a thermal runaway event.

GT6000 for battery fire testing

To identify and quantify gases and vapours released during a battery fire, reliable gas analyzers and measurement systems are required. Recent studies have increasingly adopted FTIR technology for this purpose. The Gasmet GT6000 is highly suitable for such applications. This system uses FTIR as its measurement principle and performs the entire sampling and online analysis at 180 °C. This ensures that no changes or losses of gases occur due to cooling or condensation prior to analysis.

Because FTIR covers practically the entire infrared spectrum, it not only quantifies selected target components but also qualifies other (toxic) gases and vapours. This provides valuable insights for assessing risks and potential health effects. For the determination of concentrations, Gasmet provides dedicated gas libraries integrated into the instrument. These are calibration files of important components for battery testing, available in different measuring ranges. With the highly user-friendly CALCMET software, accurate multigas analysis can be performed directly online.

All recorded spectra are stored, ensuring that raw measurement data remains available for later processing and evaluation.

Ravebo as your partner

At Ravebo, we can support you in applying this technology. Proper installation and operation of Gasmet FTIR analyzers, as well as assistance with spectral interpretation, belong to our core expertise. Applications such as these where the gas matrix is not always fully known, can be complex. Ravebo can advise and support you in these challenges. Please feel free to contact us for more information.