Lithium-ion Batteries

[johnboy]

Another fire and subsequent death (5 this year in Vancouver alone) caused by an exploding lithium-ion battery in an e-bike. Dangerous tech? Have seen video of these battery fires and they are INTENSE and impossible to extinguish.

[Thumper]

Wow! Any idea if it was a particular brand (bike or battery)?

[DeputyDog]

Lithium fires are tough. The lithium reacts with water and produces hydrogen gas which fuels the fire.

We used to have a company locally that was a large producer of wheels including magnesium ones for the auto industry. The fire department had to make sure they had plenty of a special foam to extinguish any fires there because of the reaction between burning magnesium and water.


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[johnboy]

No mention of any particular brand being worse or better than the others. I think the problem is that the technology is fragile. Any damage to a battery, no matter how slight, can cause them to combust, especially under charge. Seen vids of cell phones exploding in peoples pockets, car fires, laptops, e-bikes etc. Going to be a bigger problem as more e-machines are used.

[BarryBobPosthole]

That’s some scary shit!
Noteto self: phone to back pocket

[quercus alba]

Lithium huh? My son has been given a project at work trying to extract lithium from waste water. He’s been given the nickname “the lithium guy.”

Next time I see him I’ll try to get some insight on the subject