Effect of ambient pressure on the fire characteristics of lithium-ion battery energy storage container

Abstract

As lithium-ion battery energy storage gains popularity and application at high altitudes, the evolution of fire risk in storage containers remains uncertain. In this study, numerical simulation is employed to investigate the fire characteristics of lithium-ion battery storage container under varying ambient pressures. The findings reveal that the peak heat release rate of fires at normal pressure is significantly higher than at lower pressure. Specifically, the heat release rate at 100 kPa is 9215 kW, exceeding the value at 40 kPa by 42%, which is only 3900 kW. This peak heat release rate also demonstrates a power function relationship with ambient pressure. In addition, fires tend to last longer in lower pressure, where high-temperature areas expand and spread rates increase. Moreover, higher pressures produce elevated peak concentrations of CO and CO₂, while smoke spreads faster in lower pressure, despite lower peak smoke concentrations. The study findings can serve as a foundation for assessing the fire hazards and designing fire protection measures for lithium-ion battery storage containers exposed to varying ambient pressures.