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Effect of trigger cell position on thermal runaway propagation in lithium-ion battery modules within branched tunnels

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Listed:
  • Huang, Youbo
  • Xiang, Chao
  • Tang, Fei
  • Dong, Bingyan
  • Yao, Xiaolin
  • Zhong, Hua

Abstract

Lithium-ion battery (LIB) fires in branched tunnels present complex safety challenges due to confined geometry and limited ventilation, yet their thermal runaway (TR) behaviour remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the influence of state of charge (SOC) and trigger cell position on TR characteristics of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells and battery modules under tunnel-like conditions. A series of controlled experiments was conducted in a scaled branched tunnel using single LFP cell and battery module arranged in 3 × 3 cells. TR was initiated at different SOC levels and module positions (#5, #7, #8), while ceiling temperature and radiation heat flux were monitored using thermocouples and thermal radiometer.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Youbo & Xiang, Chao & Tang, Fei & Dong, Bingyan & Yao, Xiaolin & Zhong, Hua, 2026. "Effect of trigger cell position on thermal runaway propagation in lithium-ion battery modules within branched tunnels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:347:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226002872
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Huang, Youbo & Xu, Pai & Dong, Bingyan & Zhong, Hua & Zhu, Daiqiang & Liu, Yixian, 2025. "Thermal runaway characteristics of lithium-ion batteries in a branched tunnel: Impact of longitudinal ventilation and cell state of charge," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    2. Huang, Youbo & Luo, Chengjia & Tang, Fei & Liu, Xi & Dong, Bingyan & Zhong, Hua, 2025. "Estimating the flame length and ceiling maximum temperature in a branched tunnel fire with sloped mainline before shunting," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    3. Jia, Zhuangzhuang & Huang, Zonghou & Zhai, Hongju & Qin, Pen & Zhang, Yue & Li, Yawen & Wang, Qingsong, 2022. "Experimental investigation on thermal runaway propagation of 18,650 lithium-ion battery modules with two cathode materials at low pressure," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    4. Xiao-Guang Yang & Teng Liu & Chao-Yang Wang, 2021. "Thermally modulated lithium iron phosphate batteries for mass-market electric vehicles," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(2), pages 176-185, February.
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