Optimizing Fire Suppression Strategies for Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Runaway: A Comparative Study of Foam-Based Extinguishing Protocols

Abstract

The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has intensified the focus on lithium-ion battery (LIB) fire safety, particularly the risks posed by thermal runaway (TR). This study evaluates the performance of a novel foam-based fire extinguishing agent under two distinct application protocols: Protocol 1, employing intermittent short-duration sprays, and Protocol 2, involving an initial prolonged spray followed by intermittent applications. Within the two tested configuration–protocol pairs, the intermittent-spray protocol achieved 2.75 times greater extinguishing efficiency than the prolonged-spray protocol, while conserving resources and providing sustained cooling. Soft-pack LIBs, with their layered structure, facilitated deeper foam penetration, resulting in faster cooling (2.8°C/s) and effective smoke suppression. In contrast, hard-shell LIBs, characterized by their rigid design, exhibited slower cooling (1.10°C/s) and prolonged smoke dissipation due to limited foam diffusion. These findings emphasize the importance of tailoring suppression strategies to battery design and highlight the superior performance of intermittent foam application. This work provides a framework for optimizing fire safety protocols in large LIB storage systems with freely accessible battery packs and offers configuration-specific insights rather than a full protocol ranking.