Questions You Should Know about Lithium Storage

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• How should I dispose of lithium-ion batteries?
• What should I do to make my batteries safe to bring to a recycling facility?
• How can I identify what products have Li-ion batteries in them?
• Why shouldn’t Li-ion batteries be put in the municipal or household recycling bin?
• Why is recycling Li-ion batteries important?
• What materials are in Li-ion batteries?
• What materials do specialized battery recyclers recover from Li-ion batteries?
• What are the storage requirements when not using Li-ion batteries?
• My computer has a battery that has swelled—what should I do with it?

How should I dispose of lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries and devices containing these batteries should not go in household garbage or recycling bins. They can cause fires during transport or at landfills and recyclers. Instead, Li-ion batteries should be taken to separate recycling or household hazardous waste collection points.

What should I do to make my batteries safe to bring to a recycling facility?

To prevent fires, which can happen if batteries come in contact with each other or with other metals, EPA recommends taping the battery terminals (or connections) with non-conductive tape. Electrical tape is preferred, but all adhesive tapes not made of metallic material will work. Alternatively, placing each battery in its own plastic bag also isolates the terminals.

How can I identify what products have Li-ion batteries in them?

The battery or device may list its chemistry on the battery’s case, instruction manuals, or product markings. There may also be symbols or icons that state the chemistry or the chasing arrow symbol with the words “Li-ion” below it.  

Why shouldn’t Li-ion batteries be put in the municipal or household recycling bin?

When Li-ion batteries or the devices that contain them are mistakenly put into the municipal recycling bin, they will end up at a municipal recovery facility (MRF) that is typically equipped to recycle only household paper, plastic, metal and glass. When this happens, the batteries can become damaged or crushed during processing and may become a fire hazard. It is important to note that the chasing arrow symbol (i.e., three arrows forming a triangle) on Li-ion batteries means you can recycle these batteries at specialized battery recyclers; it does NOT mean you can put Li-ion batteries in the municipal/household recycling bin.

Why is recycling Li-ion batteries important?

Reusing and recycling Li-ion batteries helps conserve natural resources by reducing the need for virgin materials and reducing the energy and pollution associated with making new products. Li-ion batteries contain some materials such as cobalt and lithium that are considered critical minerals and require energy to mine and manufacture. When a battery is thrown away, we lose those resources outright—they can never be recovered. Recycling the batteries avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. It also prevents batteries from being sent to facilities that are not equipped to safely manage them and where they could become a fire hazard. You can reduce the environmental impact of electronics that are powered by Li-ion batteries at the end of their useful life through the reuse, donation and recycling of the products that contained them.

What materials are in Li-ion batteries?

The material composition, or “chemistry,” of a battery is tailored to its intended use. Li-ion batteries are used in many different applications and many different environmental conditions. Some batteries are designed to provide a small amount of energy for a long time, such as operating a cellphone, while others must provide larger amounts of energy for a shorter period, such as in a power tool. Li-ion battery chemistry can also be tailored to maximize the battery’s charging cycles or to allow it to operate in extreme heat or cold. In addition, technological innovation also leads to new chemistries of batteries being used over time. Batteries commonly contain materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and titanium, as well as graphite and a flammable electrolyte. However, there is always on-going research into developing Li-ion batteries that are less hazardous or that meet the requirements for new applications.    

What materials do specialized battery recyclers recover from Li-ion batteries?

Today, Li-ion batteries are made from minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese. Currently, cobalt, manganese and nickel are often recovered. Lithium may also be recovered, but it often must be further processed for it to be used again.

What are the storage requirements when not using Li-ion batteries?

It is best to store Li-ion batteries at room temperature. There is no need to place them in the refrigerator. Avoid long periods of extreme cold or hot temperatures (e.g., dashboard of car in direct sunlight). Long periods of exposure to these temperatures can result in battery damage.

My computer has a battery that has swelled—what should I do with it?

Sometimes, the battery inside a product will become swollen. The swelling indicates damage to the battery and is a potential fire hazard. Assess your situation and if there appears to be no imminent threat of fire, contact the manufacturer of the product, the retailer where it was purchased, or (depending on if you are a business or a household) your state waste management agency or your local household hazardous waste program for direction on proper management. Store the battery or device in a safe location until the proper disposal option is identified. This could be in a bucket full of a fire suppressant such as sand or kitty litter or in another location away from flammable materials. If you think you have an imminent risk of fire, you may need to call 911.

 Since their introduction in , lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries remain popular among small and large corporations alike due to their long lifespans and lightweight designs. Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that reverse Li+ ions into electronically conducting solids for greater specific energy, density, efficiency, and lifecycle than other types of rechargeable batteries.

Today, with their greater density yet lesser cost, we use lithium-ion batteries as the main power source for smartphones, laptops, tablets, medical devices, power tools, drones, scooters, bikes, and electric cars. However, if lithium batteries are not stored properly with the right compliance and handling, they not only have less longevity but can also become extremely dangerous. In this article, we’ll offer some suggestions on how to accomplish safe storage of lithium batteries.

Understanding Lithium-Ion Battery Storage Risks

It is important to know that incorrect lithium battery storage can present possible risks due to the physical and chemical properties of lithium batteries themselves, as well as environmental properties. The below infographic addresses many of the mechanical, electric, and thermal causes of failure in lithium batteries. (click to open up in a new window for download)

Lithium Battery Fire Risks

Because of a propensity to self–heat, properly storing lithium batteries is necessary to avoid fires that can harm you and your property. When the lithium battery temperature is -20 to 5°C and there is an incoming charge current over 10 amps, self-heating can occur. The result can be the release of gas, which can cause fires, and even explosions.

Furthermore, if you store groups of these batteries together in a space, one battery or cell overheating can set off a chain reaction to the other neighboring bodies, where greater overheating, melting, smoking, fire, gas, and explosions (thermal runaway) are the result. Battery misuse or internal short circuit defects from manufacturing, improper charging, dropping, puncturing, damaging, or exposing the battery to liquids and excessive temperatures can also create thermal runaway, which can be hard to extinguish once started.

Chemical Exposure Risks

If you happen to store lithium-ion batteries in an attached garage of your home, for instance, said gases you’re exposed to could be a threat to your health. Chemical exposure creates flammability, toxicity, corrosivity, and reactivity hazards. A common way that you can come into contact with lithium-ion batteries’ contents is when their electrolytes (a combination of solvents with an electrolytic salt) leak as either liquid or gas.

If the electrolyte leaks and either reacts with moisture or ignites, acidic substances emit. Toxic substances from these batteries like chromium, lead, CO, and thallium, cause many discomforting side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pains, and even more dangerous side effects, such as muscle weakness, shortness of breath, seizures, and coma.

• Inspect your lithium-ion batteries before storing them.
• Avoid impact on your batteries.
• Monitor battery charge status while on charger.
• Ensure that the charging environment is climate controlled.
• Observe run time with a fully-charged battery.
• Keep battery unplugged from the tool it powers when storing it long-term.
• If a battery is dropped, inspect it closely for damage and isolate if possible until tested.
• Check batteries before placing them in storage for any irregularities in appearance or charge status.
• Avoid exposing Li-Ion batteries to excessive vibration.
• Do not keep batteries in excessively high OR low temperatures.
• Always handle batteries with caution.
• Store Li-Ion batteries in the storage building only after it reaches recommended ideal temperature.
• Do not use damaged batteries.
• In case of contact with battery fuid, do not rub. Immediately flush with water.
• Try to wash hands after handling batteries.
• You should periodically monitor and recharge lithium-ion batteries in storage to compensate for natural self-discharge (usually 10-20% per year).

What To Do With Lithium-Ion Batteries at End-of-Life

After lithium-ion batteries are completely nonfunctional, proper handling still needs to take place. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), old lithium-ion batteries should be transported to trash or recycle facilities separately from household waste should not go in household garbage or recycling bins. They can cause fires during transport or at landfills and recyclers.

Instead, Li-ion batteries should be temporarily stored in a separated separate plastic bin (not metal) and then taken to separate recycling or household hazardous waste collection point indicated by your municipality or local authority. Those locations are the only ones known to have the resources to safely manage them without causing a fire hazard. Find some suitable locations through: call2recycle.org 

Compliant Storage Solutions for Lithium-ion Batteries

Since temperature is a vital factor in ensuring your batteries are stored safely, US Chemical Storage offers climate control options for your battery storage building, including access controls and temperature regulation to keep your operation running smoothly.

The company is the world’s best Lithium Storage supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Fire suppression systems are a must for storing hazardous materials, which is why we offer several options for fire suppression, including dry chemical storage fire suppression or water sprinklers to possibly slow a fire event. Our buildings also feature mechanical ventilation, fiberglass grated flooring, and a variety of door styles for exit and entry. These factors are designed with the user in mind for the safe movement of lithium-ion batteries.

Your solution should be a 2 or 4-hour fire-rated building that meets and exceeds EPA, OSHA, and NFPA regulatory compliance.

Being able to access your materials when and where you need them is crucial to smooth, productive operation.

Location is another critical aspect of storing batteries long-term. U.S. Chemical Storage provides safe, reliable, prefabricated storage buildings, including solutions for outdoor and indoor storage.

Fire-rated lithium storage buildings can be located outdoors and placed a safe distance away from other property if necessary. This can also allow fire fighters to surround the building and isolate the fire should one occur.

Lastly, you can keep your high-capacity lithium-ion batteries (EVs, energy storage systems, industrial use) easily sectioned off and isolated with multi-room storage options.

Our recommendation when deciding what to do for your Lithium Battery application is to

• ISOLATE any batteries within a fire-rated building. This can help protect other property but can allow fire crews to identify and surround a fire quickly.
• MITIGATE the battery’s volatility by outfitting that building with features such as climate control, power sources that can be segregated for quick response, sirens and alarms to notify of environmental changes inside, and fire suppression systems to stop a thermal event before it starts.
• PREVENT to prevent an off-gassing or thermal runaway even from happening in the first place. U.S. Chemical Storage is committed to offering the most up-to-date solutions for sensors and detectors as this rapidly-changing industry allows. Depend on us to be constantly staying abreast of any regulations or changes made in the future.

Regulatory Considerations for Lithium Battery Storage: NFPA and OSHA Considerations

Until very recently, there was no code in the U.S. that regulated the proper storage of new or used batteries, charging of batteries, or the recycling of batteries. Regulatory bodies had difficulty understanding the risks, and agreeing to the best way to fight them should an incident occur. However, in some major progress has been made. 

NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems () 

This regulation is a bit of a misnomer to many who think “Stationary Energy Storage System” only applies to Energy Storage Systems (ESS). The most recent update of the edition updated the standard purpose saying it “provides the minimum requirements for mitigating the hazards associated with ESS and the storage of lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries.” 

US Chemical Storage’s fire-rated storage buildings are designed in alignment with NFPA’s Chapter 14 sector in the 855 standard based on thorough collection, location, and explosion-proof safety elements followed in our construction.

UL, DOT, and FM Approvals for Battery Storage Buildings

There are several other independent standards for proper lithium battery storage/BESS systems, but three UL standards are the most widely accepted for safe renewable energy, battery, and thermal runaway matters:

• UL : Batteries for Use in Stationary and Motive Auxiliary Power Applications
• UL : Energy Storage Systems and Equipment
• UL A: Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems

The Department of Transportation (DOT) 38.3 regulation enforces guidelines around shipping and transferring of lithium-ion cells and batteries via tests that must be passed before commutation. The FM Global code DS 7-112 provides loss prevention guidance for liquid lithium-ion battery manufacturing and storage.

International vs. U.S. Regulations

On the other hand, international regulations might address installing emergency or standby power systems installation requirements (like the International Building Code (IBC) Chapter 27 Section .1.3) but not signage requirements (International Code Council). A national standard can help fill in those gaps, like the NFPA 855 standard Section 4.3.5, which guides signage requirements.

We design lithium battery buildings for highly dangerous flammable and combustible chemicals and hazmat every day. Regulatory bodies and committees are in constant meetings, revisions, and publishing phases to catch up to the risks that are growing every day. U.S. Chemical Storage is committed to staying involved and educated on high-level code surrounding lithium-ion batteries as regulations and standards roll out across the county. 

Finding Safe Lithium-Ion Battery Storage with U.S. Chemical Storage

Upholding Safety and Quality

Li-ion batteries present challenges and hazards to manufacturers who rely on safely storing these powerful energy tools, and the right storage solution can make or break your operation. U.S. Chemical Storage prides itself on providing safe and reliable prefabricated storage buildings designed to store lithium batteries. Carefully designed lithium battery storage buildings present a tangible solution for how to store or charge batteries while preserving your products for ease of access and battery safety.

For instance, our 2- or 4-hour fire-rated design storage can be customized to include further safety features like water sprinkler fire suppression systems to limit the spread of fires.

RELATED ARTICLE: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Takes the Spotlight at FDIC

Serving Across Industries

U.S. Chemical Storage is happy to service several industries that depend on lithium-ion batteries and Li-ion cells for production, including automotive, marine, medical, robotics, aerospace, tech, and the semiconductor industry. However, the list is growing exponentially every day. We proudly work with the military for mission-critical applications and have a reputation for providing safe products suited for drones, surveillance, UAVs, and other vital equipment.

Have questions about how we can serve your industry, store your lithium batteries, and deliver engineered custom and compliant lithium battery storage solutions to help you ISOLATE, MITIGATE, and PREVENT a lithium battery event?

Ensure safe lithium-ion battery storage with our fire-rated, climate-controlled storage solutions. Get a quote today!

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