LITHIUM-ION BATTERY STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS
THE RISING POPULARITY OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have gained a massive amount of attention in recent years as the preferred power source for a variety of applications, including power tools and e-bike batteries. This advanced battery technology has enabled consumers, businesses, and industrial operations to reduce their dependence on traditional, non-renewable sources of energy.
As a result, lithium batteries are quickly becoming the go-to option for powering many different kinds of devices and equipment. The main reason why these batteries have become so popular is that they offer an incredibly efficient source of energy compared to traditional battery types. Specifically, lithium-ion batteries are able to store more energy than other types of rechargeable batteries while using less space and weight.
This makes them an ideal power source for anything from electric vehicles and drones to portable electronics like cell phones and laptops. Furthermore, because they can be recharged multiple times without losing their capacity, they can last significantly longer than other types of batteries as well.
On top of these inherent advantages, lithium-ion batteries are also capable of being charged much faster than other battery types. This means that users can get their devices up and running much quicker than with other kinds of batteries. Additionally, when compared to alkaline or NiMH batteries (Nickel Metal Hydride), lithium-ion cells generate significantly less heat during charging which makes them safer to use in many applications.
Another huge factor behind the rising popularity of lithium batteries is that they are environmentally friendly in comparison to alkaline or NiMH cells. The majority of li-ion cells are now rechargeable which means that it’s possible to recycle them instead of throwing them away after just one use, like with alkaline or NiMH cells. Recycling these lithium batteries helps conserve natural resources while also reducing waste overall, something that has become increasingly important as we move towards a more sustainable future.
THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries must take a number of safety measures to ensure that the batteries are safe for consumers to use. This includes using cells with thicker separator layers, adding extra insulation, reducing gas buildup, and improving the performance of voltage regulators. However, even when taken those steps properly, lithium-ion batteries can still carry risks due to their tendency to overheat or catch fire.
The most common cause of battery fires is improper charging. When users charge their devices too quickly or let them sit at a high voltage for too long, it can lead to thermal runaway – a chain reaction that results in excessive heat buildup inside the battery, which then causes it to spark or even explode.
In addition, extreme temperatures outside of a certain range can also cause problems inside the battery; both extremely hot and cold temperatures increase the risk of thermal runaway and other related incidents, such as thermal shock (when sudden temperature changes cause internal cracks).
Another potential hazard with lithium-ion batteries is short-circuiting due to physical damage caused by dropping or crushing them. This can occur when metal particles break off from within the battery cell and short circuit two points in contact with each other – leading to sparks and even flame if not managed correctly.
Even seemingly minor damage, such as dents on the casing, could potentially lead to serious issues down the line, so it’s important for all users of lithium-ion batteries to handle them carefully, especially during battery storage and transport. Lastly, another risk associated with lithium-ion batteries is chemical leakage. Under certain circumstances, these chemicals may leak out from within the battery cells, creating toxic fumes or hazardous materials which could be dangerous if inhaled or ingested by humans or animals alike.
Liability issues may arise from this if proper safety precautions have not been taken when dealing with worn-out or damaged lithium-ion batteries – including proper disposal methods for any hazardous waste created during their usage.
WHAT TO DO WITH DEFECTIVE OR RETIRED
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
As with any type of battery, the lifespan of a lithium-ion battery is finite, and eventually, it will need to be retired. Once retired, there are several options available for dealing with them. Of course, the first option should always be recycling, as this can help preserve natural resources and reduce environmental impacts.
But what if your lithium-ion batteries can't be recycled? What happens then? Unfortunately, in many cases, the batteries end up in landfill sites where they can remain for hundreds of years before finally degrading into small pieces that may pollute waterways or leak toxic chemicals into the soil. This is why it's important to find an alternative to disposal when retiring lithium-ion batteries.
One such alternative is storage and transportation solutions from CRS’s partner Americase. Americase offers secure storage containers that can be used to safely store and transport already discharged or defective lithium-ion batteries until such time as they can be properly disposed of or recycled.
The containers are designed to safely contain any flammable gases that could be released from the batteries, providing a safe environment for handling them securely until their eventual disposal or recycling.
By taking advantage of Americase’s comprehensive storage and transportation solutions, you can ensure your company’s safety when it comes to handling retired lithium batteries - giving you peace of mind knowing your products won't cause any harm when it comes time for disposal or recycling.
LITHIUM BATTERY STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION SAFETY
The primary concern when storing and transporting lithium batteries is thermal runaway. This occurs when excessive heat builds up within the cells, causing a chain reaction of rapid temperature increases that can result in fires or explosions. In order to prevent this from occurring, several precautions should be taken. These include ensuring proper ventilation and air circulation around the batteries, keeping the cells away from combustible materials, monitoring the temperature of the cells during charging, and avoiding overcharging or discharging them beyond their rated capacity.
It’s also important to use certified storage containers that are designed specifically for lithium-ion batteries. These will help protect against shorts and other electrical risks while providing adequate ventilation for cooling purposes. When transporting lithium batteries over long distances, it’s important to choose a secure method of transportation, such as a freight truck where temperature control is better managed than with air transport or shipping by sea. Heat levels should also be monitored closely during transport so that any potential issues can be caught before they turn into major disasters.
In addition to these measures, manufacturers have developed technologies such as active thermal management systems that work to monitor temperatures within the cells and prevent them from reaching unsafe levels by cutting off the power or enabling cooling fans in response to increased heating. Such systems can reduce the risk of fires or explosions significantly if properly implemented into products containing a lithium-ion battery.
Finally, safety protocols must be observed at all times when dealing with Li-ion cells; any mishandling can greatly increase the chances of an incident occurring, so it’s essential that personnel handling them are well-trained in all relevant safety procedures.
LITHIUM-ION BATTERY CASES
Since Li-ion batteries are highly flammable, any product made with them must meet certain criteria established by industry standards such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This ensures that the risk of fire or explosion is minimized and users can operate their devices with peace of mind. The best lithium-ion battery cases use advanced technologies to protect their contents from damage caused by shock, vibration, overcharging, or other mishandling.
For example, some cases feature a built-in circuit breaker that automatically cuts off power if the case gets too hot or too cold. This helps prevent thermal runaway incidents from occurring as well as protecting against mechanical failure related to excessive vibrations.
THE CRITICAL RISK SOLUTION
CRS’s partner Americase is an industry leader in the safe storage and transport of lithium-ion batteries. Organizations around the world turn to Americase for their expertise in hazardous material handling and management.
With our comprehensive understanding of safety regulations, combined with their decades of experience, we provide clients with custom solutions for any situation. Because our partner sits on the UN board developing regulations for the transportation of lithium-ion, we are ahead of the market in terms of knowing what regulations are coming. This ensures that any task can be completed quickly and safely, all while adhering to local regulations.
STORAGE & TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS
At Critical Risk Solution, we know one thing to be true: lithium-ion fires happen, and nothing you can do about it other than talk to your battery mfg. Knowing that, you need to ask yourself the following: Do you want a fire to take out a whole building, or would you rather it be contained with a safe and regulation-based storage solution? This is why investing in a regulation-compliant storage solution for your Li-ion batteries is so vitally important - and it's also why we take our role in this process so seriously.
When it comes to thermal runaway testing, our efforts go above and beyond the most extreme conditions and scenarios. This is because we want to ensure that all potential risks are completely negated. Through our products, companies of all sizes have saved millions of dollars that would have been spent on retrofitting storage spaces in order to comply with fire-rated rooms suitable for containing Li-ion fires. The average cost for a 20x20 room retrofit is close to $200k – but when using our cases and cabinets, the price tag drops significantly to only thousands of dollars.
are actually meant for hazardous chemicals instead. To address this problem, we construct cases custom-made according to both the size and requirements of your batteries. Furthermore, those who desire an extra layer of safety can opt for NRTL certification – which we also offer at competitive prices.
Our devotion to quality and reliability doesn't stop there – as part of our commitment to superior performance, every case or cabinet undergoes rigorous thermal runaway testing before being delivered to customers. This painstaking process ensures not only safety but also long-lasting peace of mind – something only possible when you choose a dependable solution like ours.
In addition, our DDR (damaged defective ruptured) transportation cases are under our partners' special permit, allowing you to transport these volatile batteries to the recycler with safety and confidence. These DDR cases are small and portable, significantly reduce unnecessary handling of “bad” batteries, and bring the DDR case as close to the point of harvesting of the battery as possible.
COMPLETE LITHIUM-ION SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS
We have partnerships with the largest Li-ion recyclers and second-life vendors to complete the lifecycle of your Li-ion supply chain. Through that partnership, we have built complete supply chain systems utilizing the cases, from the mfg to destination to recycling back to OEM, including:
Environmentally friendly re-usable cases
Ultimate protection of batteries while in transit
Saves on average 25% in space in shipping and warehouse since cases can be stacked
Eliminates significant amount of double handling of batteriesInsurance risk underwriters consider our solution the best in the market, hence reducing your risk premiums
SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION TODAY
If you’re ready to take steps toward reducing the risks associated with the storage and transportation of Li-ion batteries, then consider scheduling a consultation today with Critical Risk Solution.
With our wealth of knowledge and experience in assessing risk management scenarios, we can provide invaluable insight into how best to protect your company from the risks associated with storing and transporting these powerful and popular batteries. Don’t wait any longer – contact Critical Risk Solution now and start down the path toward improved safety measures for your business.
