Jul 21, 2020 Pageview:952
Being one of the best portable energy sources for most of the devices, the lithium-ion batteries are also one of the most dangerous things. They pack a mini explosive inside them if not treated carefully. These batteries are in their most dangerous form when they are punctured.
Here we will discuss everything about puncturing the lithium-ion batteries and the proper way to dispose of them.
What happens if you puncture a lithium-ion battery
As the batteries are mentioned as fragile, many people have weird ideas about the batteries. One of them is trying to puncture or stab the battery. These batteries are specially made by sealing the chemicals inside the enclosure so that there is no air left inside the battery. This increases the life of the battery and its productivity as well.
With long term usage of the batteries, some of them get some gases or air buildup inside the enclosure. This is because of the reaction inside the battery along with the heat. People usually puncture the battery to take this gas out of the battery to make the battery flat again. Here are some reactions that take place when the battery is punctured.
What kind of physical reaction takes place
When you are attempting to puncture the battery, you allow the air to go inside the battery. Additionally, you might make the 2 sheets meet that are separated by an electrolyte. This will cause sparks in the battery. Most lithium-ion batteries have some sort of oil in them. This oil can catch fire very quickly.
This starts a physical reaction in the battery that causes a fire.
What kind of chemical reaction place
When you puncture the battery, the fire is started because of the spark. This spark can help in setting the whole battery and many things around on fire. When fire is started, a very exothermic reaction takes place. A lot of light and heat is escaping from the battery enclosure in this case.
What could be the possible consequences of puncturing the battery
Puncturing the battery can cause many different problems some of them are: You can cause a fire and burn your body, place, or some part of it. You can get shocked from the battery
Do lithium-ion batteries explode when punctured
This is another very interesting question related to the lithium-ion batteries. After years of using them, people try to puncture the battery to take the build-up of gases out from the battery. While they are doing this, there are good chances that the person will puncture the internals of the battery.
When the battery is punctured, the person is allowing for the flow of oxygen and if a little spark is present inside the battery, the oxygen will aid it to start a little fire. As soon as the battery catches fire, it will start getting more oxygen, the amount of fire will keep on increasing. At some point, the enclosure will be unable to keep balance between the outside and inside of the battery.
At this point, an explosion will most probably take place. This will cause very huge flames from out of the battery along with clouds of poisonous gasses.
Precautionary measures that you can follow.
Whenever you want to puncture the battery, there are some things that you can do to protect your surroundings. These things are:
Keeping fire safety equipment with you.
Using safety goggles and gloves.
Keeping children as a way as possible.
By following these things, you can make sure that no one gets injured.
Why do you need to puncture the battery
This is another amazing question regarding lithium-ion batteries that why you need to puncture them. There are 2 different cases. One is the case where people are trying to repair their batteries by taking the gases out of them.
Another case is when people want to know the consequences of puncturing the battery. Although the need for both of them is very different, the consequences of both are the same.
How do you dispose of punctured lithium-ion batteries
As there are many different types of people out there. Some are trying to experiment with some deadliest things. While the others want to keep this planet as safe as possible. The other type of people has this question where they ask about the safe disposal of these batteries.
Here we will tell you how you can dispose of your lithium-ion batteries safely. These batteries are not safe to be disposed of in your trash. That is why you need to take special care of these batteries. This is because they can be hazardous to the earth and your environment if it is disposed of in the trash. These steps might be helpful:
Completely discharge the battery
The first thing that you can do when you are disposing of your old battery is to completely discharge it. This can be easily done with the help of a mini 1-volt 1-ampere bulb. Doing this will make the battery free from any kind of danger of starting a fire with its current. So, the battery will become almost harmless when it is dead.
Insulating the terminals of the battery
Another thing that you can do to make the battery less harmful is to insulate the terminals of the battery. Terminals are the points where the battery comes in contact with different materials and supply current. When these terminals are completely insulated, this will become difficult for the battery to start a fire on its own.
Dispose of at a hazardous waste collection point or battery recycling drop off.
The last thing that you can do is to give the battery to a hazardous waste collection point or a battery recycling unit. They have the right equipment to dispose of the battery without causing any harm to the environment.
There are some battery disposal kits available in the market but those are very expensive that everyone does not afford to use them.
Conclusion
This was all about the puncturing, exploding, and the disposing of the lithium-ion batteries.
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