# Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Selected Extinguishing Agents for Extinguishing Li-Ion Batteries and for Capturing Selected Contaminants

## TL;DR

This study evaluates how well different materials can put out Li-ion battery fires and reduce harmful emissions.

## Contribution

The study introduces a comparative analysis of extinguishing agents for Li-ion batteries and their impact on pollutant emissions.

## Key findings

- Quartz sand was found to be the most effective at heat removal and insulation.
- Extinguishing agents influence the amount of pollutants released during battery fires.
- Heavy metals and PAH emissions were measured during the experiments.

## Abstract

The production and use of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is steadily increasing each year, leading to a growing number of battery-powered products. Consequently, the number of chemical hazards associated with the operation and other stages of the life cycle of this type of cell is increasing as well. Therefore, this study examined the impact of selected extinguishing agents for extinguishing Li-ion battery fires—namely, a dedicated extinguishing granulate, a natural sorbent (exfoliated vermiculite), and quartz sand—on the level of heat and released substances. The study determined the emission of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) into the air during a cell fire, the concentration of the inhalable aerosol fraction, and the concentration of hazardous substances in the extinguishing agent residue. The analysis concluded that quartz sand provides the most effective heat removal and insulation of the battery from the external environment, which also reduces the amount of pollutants released into the environment.