Lithium-Ion is a generic term for virtually all rechargable Lithium batteries. All of the Lithium batteries that we have discussed recently are Lithium-Ion.
"A lithium-ion battery (sometimes Li-ion battery or LIB) is a family of rechargeable battery types in which lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharge, and back when charging. Chemistry, performance, cost, and safety characteristics vary across LIB types. Unlike lithium primary batteries (which are disposable), lithium-ion electrochemical cells use an intercalated lithium compound as the electrode material instead of metallic lithium."
So, we can assume that any time someone mentions Lithium batteries in this group, they are talking about Li-ion batteries (unless they use disposable batteries!?!) As discussed Lithium Polymer (which are used in mobile devices and some cars like the Tesla) are more succeptable to physical damage which can result in the battery catching on fire. Extremely high discharge rates (10C and above) may also result in meltdowns. Most of the Li-Po batteries are Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO) batteries and are available in pouch or cylindrical formats.
But in boating, only drag boats should see those kinds of discharge rates and those boats are the only ones that should need the more expensive Li-Po batteries. For full discharges that take longer than seconds or minutes, the hard shell Lithium batteries are more approriate. A pack could be built from cylindrical cells, but requires more connections which are not as desireable in a marine environment. Prismatic formats have more capacity per cell and lend themselves well to traction packs in boats and EVs. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) is most common type of prismatic cell today and are very stable (safe). Torqeedo uses Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMnO) cells in their products, they are also quite stable. I believe that someone might be making Lithium Nickel Oxide (LiNiO) cells, but they are not common.
So, when you read Li-ion in an article or in promotional material, it's not identifying anything more than a rechargable Lithium battery. More information is required to determine the specific attributes about that battery, such as format, max discharge rate, safety, etc.
Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "sirdarnell" <sirdarnell@...> wrote:
>
> Lithium ion batteries like used in most mobile devices and some cars are the Lithium batteries most likely to catch on fire. The Tesla has a large cooling system for its batteries, to prevent this. LiFe-Po do not have the runaway heat problem that causes this in Li ion batteries. I don't know about other Lithium batteries.
>
No comments:
Post a Comment