Session: Battery Safety in the Chemical Industry

Rechargeable batteries have become an essential - and growing - power source in industry. Rechargeable batteries, including lithium and nickel chemistries, are used to energize tools, equipment, and communication devices. Larger format batteries are used for vehicle power, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) offer large format power storage. Each of these chemistries and scale of operation poses new hazards related to battery failures, electrical supply and charging hazards, and reliable power supply on demand. This session seeks papers related to identifying and managing the risks of batteries, such as: • Modes of battery system failure • Hazards of battery failure (e.g. thermal runaway, toxic gases, fires, and explosion) • Consequences of battery failure within chemical manufacturing facilities and recycling facilities • Hazard identification and risk assessment techniques used to assess battery systems • Engineering design to mitigate risk • Emergency planning and response • Previous incidents and lessons learned