LAPSE:2021.0744
Published Article
LAPSE:2021.0744
Lithium-Ion Batteries as Ignition Sources in Waste Treatment Processes—A Semi-Quantitate Risk Analysis and Assessment of Battery-Caused Waste Fires
Thomas Nigl, Mirjam Baldauf, Michael Hohenberger, Roland Pomberger
September 22, 2021
Increasing occurrences of waste fires that are caused by improperly discarded lithium-based portable batteries threaten the whole waste management sector in numerous countries. Studies showed that high quantities of these batteries have been found in several municipal solid waste streams in recent years in Austria. This article reveals the main influence factors on the risk of lithium-based batteries in their end-of-life and it focuses on the quantification of damages to portable batteries during waste treatment processes. Hazards are identified and analysed and potential risks in waste management systems are comprehensively assessed. In two scenarios, the results showed that the potential risks are too high to maintain a sustainable form of waste management. According to the assessment, a small fire in a collection vehicle is located in the risk graph’s yellow region (as low as reasonably practicable, ALARP), while a fully developed fire in a treatment plant has to be classified as an unacceptable risk (red region of risk graph). Finally, basic recommendations for action were made.
Keywords
fire hazards, lithium batteries, portable batteries, risk modelling, waste management
Suggested Citation
Nigl T, Baldauf M, Hohenberger M, Pomberger R. Lithium-Ion Batteries as Ignition Sources in Waste Treatment Processes—A Semi-Quantitate Risk Analysis and Assessment of Battery-Caused Waste Fires. (2021). LAPSE:2021.0744
Author Affiliations
Nigl T: Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Styria, Austria [ORCID]
Baldauf M: Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Styria, Austria
Hohenberger M: Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Styria, Austria
Pomberger R: Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Styria, Austria
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
9
Issue
1
First Page
pr9010049
Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-12-29
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: pr9010049, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2021.0744
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doi:10.3390/pr9010049
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Sep 22, 2021
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CC BY 4.0
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[v1] (Original Submission)
Sep 22, 2021
 
Verified by curator on
Sep 22, 2021
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v1
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https://psecommunity.org/LAPSE:2021.0744
 
Original Submitter
Calvin Tsay
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