Experimental study on thermal runaway in 18650 lithium-ion battery modules within a confined space: Effects of PVS and top partitions

作者：Meilin Liu, Haozhi Zhou, Zhenxiang Tao, Biao Zhou · 发表于：Case Studies in Thermal Engineering · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.csite.2025.107010 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Advanced Battery Technologies Research、Advancements in Battery Materials、Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies

: Lithium-ion battery use in confined spaces exacerbates thermal runaway propagation (TRP). This study experimentally compared TR evolution in open and confined spaces within a pressure-tight container, testing modules with/without stainless steel top plate partitions and porous vacuum silica (PVS) insulation. Without insulation, the partition design significantly worsened TR: multiple pressure peaks occurred, affected batteries increased from 2 to 8, and gas production surged. Conversely, the PVS insulation layer effectively suppressed explosion intensity: TR batteries remained at 2, the first battery's valve opening and TR triggering times doubled, and final tank pressure and total gas production decreased markedly. The maximum pressure in confined space rose by 58.5% relative to the open space, whereas PVS reduced it by 54.2%, highlighting its significant suppression capability. PVS also reduced surface temperature fluctuations, minimized damage, and improved module integrity. Gas analysis showed H 2 generation earliest, CO 2 highest cumulative production, and HF lowest peak concentration/total quantity. Confinement via the top plate significantly increased CH 4 and CO 2 production. The PVS layer delayed HF release (reducing toxicity) and promoted conversion of CO to less toxic CO 2 . This provides key experimental basis for battery safety protection design in transport and applications.