Comments on the failure and termination of development of the lithium battery regeneration device (dendrite remover),the reasons are...
We conducted research with lithium LFP batteries to develop a lithium battery restoration device (for removing dendrites) utilizing our proprietary high-frequency pulse desulfurization technology for lead-acid batteries, but it failed. We believed that it was the only lithium battery regeneration solution that could melt the lithium dendrites back into lithium ions and return them to the Anode while the battery discharged using high-frequency pulses optimized for lithium batteries. Lithium-ion batteries were at high risk of fire due to our company's location in the Bucheon Technopark complex in South Korea, so we could not proceed with actual development in the building complex.
However, we found almost no regeneration effect on lithium LFP batteries, so we terminated the whole development and were just about to test it with the lithium NCM battery series from Q2 of 2024. However, on June 24, 2024, the risk of lithium battery ignition and explosion was seriously highlighted when a large battery fire occurred at the Arisel factory in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, which was producing the primary lithium batteries. The fire killed 23 workers and injured 8 others. This devastating event led us to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of safety to discontinue the development of lithium battery restoration equipment.
Another reason we decided to discontinue the development of the lithium battery regeneration equipment is the potential for unfair blame in a fire investigation. If a lithium regenerator is used and a fire or explosion occurs in one of the other unrestored cells, the fire in that one cell could quickly spread to the entire battery, destroying any evidence of the cause of the fire. This could lead to a situation where there can be insufficient evidence in a fire investigation, potentially resulting in all the blame being centered on the 'regenerator'.
In fact, the PRIME technology-based lithium battery regenerator is a solution that can fundamentally prevent lithium battery fires because it removes and dissolves the dendrites that harden and grow like twigs on the surface of the cathode, damaging the separator. However, if the cause of the fire is found to be a battery problem, it would be a significant issue for the lithium battery supply business.
Therefore, there is a lot of scope for lithium battery manufacturers to claim that our lithium battery regenerator caused the battery fire. In this case, if a lithium battery fire causes massive property damage and loss of life, we, as a developer and manufacturer of restoration equipment, get a wrongful lawsuit without knowing the exact cause of the fire. That is why we officially stopped and abandoned the development of our lithium battery regenerator in July 2024.
Lithium-ion batteries were never attempted, so it was not a complete development failure. Still, we decided not to proceed with further development for fear of ignition and tremendous chain fires and damage. In conclusion, we learned that lithium batteries are much more challenging to handle than we thought.
EV-caused fire in Incheon raises concerns about lithium-ion batteries: On August 1, 2024, the flames and smoke from a burning Mercedes-Benz EQE electric sedan spread rapidly through the underground parking lot of an apartment complex in South Korea this month. The fire damaged almost 900 cars, and 23 people suffered smoke inhalation.
When a lithium battery fire breaks out, it can turn everything around it into ashes. On August 16, 2024, a fire that started in a Tesla electric car at around 6 p.m. burnt more than 200 vehicles in a rental car lot near Umberto Delgado International Airport in Lisbon, Portugal.
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Unraveling the Characteristics of ESS Fires in South Korea: An In-Depth Analysis of ESS Fire Investigation Outcomes
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Li-ion/LFP batteries are not suitable for reuse in solar ESS, etc..
LFP batteries, including scooters and other devices, have also been involved in fires. As such, countries around the world are experiencing frequent EV and ESS lithium battery fires, and safety concerns will only increase in the future.
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The causes of in-use lithium battery explosions
Although exact percentages for the causes of lithium battery explosions can vary depending on actual data, the percentages of known causes of battery accidents while using lithium-ion batteries can generally be estimated as follows.
1. Internal short circuit: Approximately 30% of internal short circuits caused by manufacturing defects, physical damage, electrolyte impurities, etc., are some of the leading causes of lithium battery explosions.
2. Overcharging: Approximately 20%: Overcharging a battery can cause it to explode due to electrolyte decomposition and increased internal pressure. This usually happens when the battery management system (BMS) is not working well.
3. Dendrite Formation: Approximately 15%: Dendrites are mainly formed when charging too fast or overcharging, which can cause an internal short circuit.
4. Overdischarging: Approximately 10%: Over-discharging a battery can cause the voltage to drop too low, destabilizing the internal structure and increasing the likelihood of an internal short circuit upon recharging, which can lead to an explosion.
5. Physical Damage: Approximately 25%: If a battery is dropped or subjected to an external impact, the internal cells can be damaged, resulting in an internal short circuit or electrolyte leak.?
These percentages are general estimates based on several studies and lithium battery incident reports. They may vary for each battery manufacturer and usage environment. With prolonged reuse, the most likely cause is fire due to dendrite formation and the destruction of separators.
Reusing used lithium batteries is really dangerous. Suppose even one cell in an old lithium battery continues to grow dendrites and touches the positive electrode. In that case, it can cause an internal short circuit in the cell, resulting in an explosion of the lithium metal cell. Therefore, reusing these old lithium batteries poses a significant risk.
How dendrite affects lithium-ion batteries
All lithium-ion batteries that have been used in EVs for a long period already have many dendrites, which are hardened lithium solids on the cathode surface. Dendrites are the growth of spiky, twig-like crystals on the surface of the negative electrode during the charging process of all Li-ion batteries. When lithium crystals form on the surface of the electrode and grow and pile up in all directions, they are called "dendrites" because they resemble spiky bumps.
Dendrite is considered to be a major cause of reduced lifespan and safety of lithium-ion batteries. When dendrites begin to form on the surface of the cathode surface inside the battery, they can impede the movement of lithium ions, which must actively move back and forth between the anode and cathode, making the battery less energy efficient and reducing its lifespan. Dendrites can also damage the battery's core material, the "separator," as they grow and increase in size. The separator is a thin film of insulating material that keeps the anode and cathode from touching each other. However, if the separator is damaged, the anode and cathode materials can come into direct contact, causing an internal short circuit and resistance. (to quote Battery LAB)
Many media outlets have reported that these EV battery packs are replaced after about 10 years of use when they reach 80% state of charge (SoH). The lithium batteries are then made into cell-equalized reusable products for reuse in ESS, which can be reused for about 5-10 years down to 60% SoH. However, this is only a theory. No one can guarantee safety from lithium battery fires because it hasn't been proven yet.
All used lithium batteries already have dendrites forming on the cathode surface, so reusing them increases the chance of a fire even more. Over time, reusing used EV lithium batteries causes dendrites to continually form on the cathode surface in all lithium batteries, more so than when used in EVs. The sharp nature of these dendrites makes it very likely that they will grow like twigs and dig into the separator, eventually piercing the separator that separates the cathode from the anode materials.
The scariest thing is that if even one cell of the entire lithium battery module/pack in use is damaged by dendrites, any separator between the cathodes and anodes will be damaged, resulting in ignition and a full-blown fire, and there is no way to avoid it. In addition, most deaths are caused by poisoning by toxic gases from the fire, and they occur within a few seconds without giving people around them time to escape. There is almost no way out of this terrible situation. Reusing lithium batteries in this way is nothing short of a disaster, and we have a very negative view of this lithium battery reuse business accordingly.
If lithium batteries are reused, we will have to live in fear of catastrophic property damage, including fires, toxic gas poisoning, death, and thermal runaway, which can occur at any time and turn everything around us, including vehicles and facilities, into ash. Therefore, the reuse of lithium batteries is too dangerous, which is also the reason why we have abandoned the development of lithium battery reuse.
Lithium batteries have a high risk of fire and explosion, while lead-acid batteries are reliable enough to eliminate these risks nearly. Lead-acid batteries still hold the top global market share in almost all industries, except for mobile markets such as electric vehicles and portable devices.
If a lithium battery module/packs are used for more than 5~10 years, there are high risks of a large fire that can burn down the entire facility if even one cell catches fire. Therefore, lithium batteries must be replaced unconditionally after 5~10 years of use even if they have a lot of remaining cycles.
PRIME lead-acid battery regeneration equipment enables the reliable reuse of 2V lead-acid battery sets with little risk of explosion for up to 10 years.
Currently, most industrial lead-acid batteries cost only 1/2 to 1/3 the price of lithium batteries per kWh of total usage when regularly maintained with PRIME regeneration products. They can be used safely for extended periods without the risk of fire, significantly reducing battery costs.
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The PRIME regeneration equipment is the only solution in the world that can restore and extend lead-acid batteries without overheating and damage, allowing them to be used to a total capacity usage and lifespan similar to lithium batteries (approximately 10 years).
PRIME Battery Platform business outlook
Many potential global customers are interested in the reusability of lithium batteries. However, lithium reusable batteries are a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment, and users have to live with the anxiety and discomfort every day since they are installed. If a fire breaks out, everything can turn to ashes.? You're lucky if it's not a personnel accident, but almost all lithium battery fires result in death by toxic gas inhalation.
Using lead-acid batteries with PRIME battery regenerators is the best solution for saving battery costs and ensuring safety. PRIME products are a maintenance concept for industrial batteries, reducing battery costs by 1/2 to 1/3 by restoring one set every day, just like recharging them once a year. All industrial ESS/UPS/Deep Cycle batteries should now be maintained with PRIME regeneration equipment.
The PRIME battery regeneration product series has enabled the reliable reuse of lead-acid batteries with virtually no risk of explosion. With PRIME battery regeneration products, the global revival of lead-acid battery reuse can now begin again. With similar capacity and lifespan to lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries can cost 1/2 to 1/3 the price of lithium batteries when regularly maintained with PRIME regeneration products.
From now on, PRIME regenerative products will become essential equipment that must be used for most lead-acid batteries without exception to reduce costs, hazardous waste, and carbon emissions. In addition, PRIME equipment will become essential equipment that enables industrial lead-acid batteries to be used for 10 years, which is comparable to the 10-year lifespan of lithium batteries.??
Lead-acid batteries still hold the largest market share in all industries worldwide, except for mobile markets such as electric vehicles. Solar ESS has also been switching to lithium batteries for about a decade, but as we know, lithium batteries have a high fire risk. There is a considerable risk dilemma that if just one lithium cell ignites and explodes, the entire battery and the entire facility will be burnt down in an instant, as was the case in a recent incident where the primary cell of a lithium battery fired and exploded in a domestic lithium battery production plant, killed 23 workers from hazard gas inhalation.?
So, instead of lithium battery reuse, if people can get two to three times the capacity and life out of a lead-acid battery, including price, lifespan, and everything else, lead-acid batteries are unbeatable, and PRIME regeneration technology and equipment can only carry out this unprecedented lead-acid battery reuse business.
The hyperlink below is a search result for ‘Lithium ESS battery fire’ on Google.com.
Are LFP batteries safe from fire?
LFP batteries have historically been considered safer than NCMs in terms of fire frequency. However, LFP batteries have a higher toxicity and explosion risk than NCMs during thermal runaway, and pouch cells emit 10 times more hydrogen fluoride (HF) than cylindrical cells. The highest priority risk from Thermal Runaway (TR) of Li-ion batteries is not fire but rather the explosion and toxicity risk from Off-gassing during TR. The perception that LFP is somehow less risky than NCM needs to change. (Source: ETNews https://www.e2news.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=308779)
The hyperlink below is a search result for ‘Lithium ESS battery fire’ on Google.com.
From now on, the revolutionary PRIME Battery Regeneration products will be expected to be used in most Lead-acid batteries for industrial ESS, UPS & Traction, so your esteemed company may preempt this unique PRIME equipment series and proceed with many potential new ESS projects worldwide.
With the potential to extend the capacity and lifespan of lead-acid batteries by two to three times, the PRIME Regenerator emerges as a safe and economical choice. Its restoration equipment is the key to a new era for lead-acid batteries, offering a reliable and cost-effective solution. With a thriving lead acid battery regeneration/ refurbishment business, it can be more economical to use lead acid batteries due to the significant cost savings. (PRIME lead-acid battery regeneration machines without battery overheating are only possible)?
While lithium batteries have a high risk of fire and explosion, lead-acid batteries are stable enough to eliminate these risks virtually. Lead-acid batteries still hold the largest market share worldwide in almost every industry except for mobile markets such as electric vehicles. As a result, we will focus more on lead-acid battery reuse in the future.
Using the PRIME regenerator can reduce the total cost of battery acquisition. If you continuously restore 48V batteries, including deep-cycle and VRLA batteries, you can recoup the investment in purchasing the PRIME machine in less than six months if regenerations are made 48V 600Ah x 10~15 sets monthly. The actual value is realized when you convert battery usage to kWh and compare it to lithium batteries. If you compare the lifespan of lithium and lead-acid batteries, you will see little difference. Both batteries will need to be replaced due to age after 10 years of use, so the number of cycles and lifespans may be similar. However, when it comes to reliability, lead-acid batteries are far ahead of lithium batteries.? Based on these results, we can proceed with the battery regeneration workshop/platform business, which is based on the lead-acid battery restoration business.?
Lead-acid batteries are the most reliable and safe, but they have a short lifespan. No matter how many thousands of times the life cycle of a lithium battery is, it must be replaced after 10 years of use. If an old lithium battery has a fire because only one of dozens or hundreds of cells has deteriorated, it will burn everything around it, so it must be replaced after a maximum of 10 years. Batteries that are used very frequently and are overused are more likely to catch fire when overcharged, so the entire battery module/pack must be replaced, even if it has been less than five years.
The PRIME battery regenerator is the only regeneration equipment worldwide that allows lead-acid batteries to last as long as lithium batteries, which have a lifespan of 5 to 10 years. If you want to avoid the disaster of a fire caused by reusing a battery, the PRIME Regeneration Device is the best solution. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information on the only lead-acid regenerators that do not overheat or damage batteries while regenerating.
PRIME products are proprietary and have superior battery regeneration performance. It is the only battery regeneration technology in the world that does not cause lead-acid battery overheating, and it is also the only equipment that can be sold with the slogan of 100% refund if it cannot be restored. It's a product of green technology that minimizes harmful substances, saves carbon, and can significantly reduce costs or increase profits. Still, most users are reluctant to resell or tell others about it. However, this makes PRIME products even more valuable. PRIME machines are durable and can last 10 years or more with regular replacement of consumables, even when operated daily like a factory machine. The battery platform business is the most reliable solution to minimize 3D (Difficult, Dirty & Dangerous) battery-works.
The PRIME regeneration equipment series are exclusive and superior products, and the new battery platform business model will be the best way to maximize their value. This business model will provide users with non-competitive JV and battery platform business opportunities. The PRIME battery regenerators can make battery maintenance easy and extend its capacity and lifespan with fully automatic operation. The resulting cost can be significantly saved, so equipment rental/lease can be a win-win business between the supplier and the operator.
The PRIME battery regenerator will help to restart the reuse of lead-acid batteries worldwide. It can provide both PRIME users and battery users with continuous revenue generation opportunities. It's a win-win business that makes everyone involved happy and also benefits the planet and people.
The reuse of lead-acid batteries has just begun, and we will continue to focus on this business.
If you are interested in this business, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards, (Mr.) YU, Young-Joon
CEO / Sales & Marketing
Repowertek Inc. and Modootronix Inc.
TEL : +82 (02) 555-9660 FAX : +82 (032) 326-8959
Mobile : +82 10 7224-9660 (WhatsApp)
301-1108, Bucheon TechnoPark Ssangyong 3-Cha, 397, Seokcheon-ro, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, 14449, Rep. of KOREA
This is a thought-provoking post on the importance of lead-acid battery regeneration! It's true that while lithium batteries have their advantages, the safety concerns associated with thermal runaway incidents make lead-acid batteries a safer choice for stationary applications. The PRIME Regeneration Technology sounds like a game-changer in extending the life of lead-acid batteries. It's impressive how this technology combines proprietary restoration techniques with advanced hardware and software algorithms to achieve such significant results. I'm curious about the potential cost savings and environmental benefits of using regenerated lead-acid batteries compared to replacing them with new ones. Great insights!
ECOSYS ENERGIE
1 个月The lead acid battery is still very huge and big