Assessing fire dynamics and suppression techniques in electric vehicles at different states of charge: Implications for maritime safety

Abstract

The maritime transportation of electric vehicles (EVs) poses significant fire risks due to the potential for thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries, particularly when the state of charge (SOC) varies. This study uniquely examines the effects of SOC on fire behavior and suppression efficacy, going beyond previous research by focusing on the maritime environment. Experiments were conducted on EV battery packs at SOC levels of 70 %, 50 %, and 30 %, and on a full-scale EV at 50 % SOC, to evaluate fire dynamics and the effectiveness of suppression methods, including seawater injection and fire blankets. Results showed that higher SOC levels are associated with significantly increased heat release rates and extended fire durations, while lower SOC levels (30 %) reduce fire intensity yet necessitate continuous monitoring for re-ignition risks. Moreover, the combination of seawater injection and fire blankets showed promise in cases where rapid cooling and containment of fire spread were priorities, illustrating a potential strategy for managing EV battery fires during maritime transport. These findings underscore the need for strategic SOC management, recommending lower SOC thresholds to minimize fire severity, and the use of combined suppression techniques to enhance EV fire safety during maritime transport.

Keywords

• Thermal runaway
• State of charge
• Heat release rate
• Radiative heat flux
• Fire suppression