Lithium-Ion Battery Hazard Identification and Safety Risk Management in Aircraft with Electric Propulsion

Özet

Advances in the design and technology of Lithium-Ion BatteriesLithium-ion battery (LIBs) are considered key enablers for lower carbon emissions by the application of electric propulsion systemElectric propulsion system in aircraftAircraft. Besides having great advantages over other types of batteries, the application of LIBs in electric aircraftElectric aircraft, specifically in the range of thousands of kWh, would not be free of hazards. To manage LIB hazards, appropriate countermeasures must be included in the design, considering contributing factors of the hazards. LIB system’s safetySafety performance is highly related to the material used, design, manufacturing factors, and operational and ambient conditions. Therefore, safetySafety management of LIB especially in the propulsive system of electric aircraftElectric aircraft as a sole onboard source of energy is a must. In this study, all possible modes of failure and hazards of LIBs are analysed and categorized based on the contributing factors and root causes. Accordingly, effective proactive, preventative and reactive safetySafety measures including barriers and mitigations are proposed to address all potential failures. In the next step, the bow-tie modelBow-tie model is developed to determine the inherent and residual level of risk of LIB operation in electric aircraftElectric aircraft considering the sequence of events from causes to consequences. In conclusion, it is presented how technology, regulationsRegulations, standards, operational procedures and personnel training can effectively reduce LIB operational risks to an acceptable level throughout its life cycle.