Real-Time Overcharge Warning and Early Thermal Runaway Prediction of Li-Ion Battery by Online Impedance Measurement

Abstract

A lithium-ion battery has advantages such as high energy density and long calendar life, but it suffers from the risk of thermal runaway. Overcharge-induced thermal runaway accidents hold a considerable percentage. This article discovers that the slope of the dynamic impedance in the frequency band of 30–90 Hz turns positive from negative when the cell just starts to overcharge and proposes the theoretical explanation. Taking 70 Hz impedance as an example, the thermal runaway accident can be successfully avoided by cutting off the charging when the slope turns positive from negative during charging. The warning time is 580 s ahead of the thermal runaway. This feature is easy to identify and requires no complex mathematical models and parameters. Besides, the prediction method based on this feature can be conducted by using an online dynamic impedance measurement device designed by us, which is suitable for large-scale applications. Thus, the overcharge-induced thermal runaway accidents can be avoided.