Typical Application Scenarios: High-Risk Areas Across the Energy Storage Lifecycle

Gas detection equipment in the energy storage industry must be precisely deployed to address potential leakage points in battery modules, electrolyte storage areas, power distribution rooms, hydrogen systems, and laboratories:

(1) Electrochemical Energy Storage Power Stations (Lithium-Ion/Flow/Sodium-Ion Batteries)

● Battery Modules (Containerized or Civil Engineering-Based):

1) Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrogen (H₂): During thermal runaway (triggered by overcharging, short-circuiting), CO and H₂are early warning gases (CO concentrations may rise rapidly from tens of ppm to hundreds of ppm, while H₂ is produced by electrolyte decomposition at high temperatures). Detectors should be installed above battery cells (0.3–1 meter, near the rising path of thermal runaway gases) and at the top of battery modules (0.1–0.3 meter, to monitor accumulated gases), using electrochemical CO detectors and thermal conductivity/infrared H₂ detectors.

2) Organic Solvent Vapors (Carbonate Solvents): Leaks from electrolyte containers or battery casings may release VOCs (e.g., EC, DEC). PID photoionization detectors (VOC monitoring)should be installed near ventilation outlets, under battery trays (leak accumulation areas), with detection limits as low as ppm levels.

3) Hydrogen Fluoride (HF): A toxic byproduct of LiPF₆decomposition during thermal runaway, HF detectors should be placed at the bottom of battery modules (HF settling area) and at the inlet of exhaust ducts, using electrochemical HF sensors (detection limit ≤0.1 ppm, PTFE-coated for corrosion resistance).

● Battery Management System (BMS) and Thermal Management Areas:

1) Cooling system leaks (e.g., ethylene glycol solution) may release VOCs (e.g., ethylene glycol vapors), requiring localized VOC monitoring to prevent electrical corrosion.

(2) Electrolyte Storage Tanks and Filling Areas

● Flow Batteries (e.g., All-Vanadium Flow Batteries):

1) Sulfuric Acid Mist (H₂SO₄): Leaks from electrolyte storage tanks (sulfuric acid medium) or pipelines release corrosive mist, which should be monitored at the top of tanks (0.1–0.3 meter) and near valve interfaces (0.3–0.6 meter, leakage deposition areas)using electrochemical H₂SO₄ detectors (or indirect monitoring via sulfate ion detection, though direct gas monitoring is more precise).

2) Hydrogen (H₂): Hydrogen produced during charging should be monitored at the top of storage tanks (hydrogen accumulation areas)with detectors linked to ventilation systems for automatic exhaust when concentrations exceed thresholds.

(3) Power Distribution Rooms and Electrical Equipment Areas

● Power Conversion Systems (PCS), Transformers, and High-Voltage Switchgear:

1) Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆): Leaks from SF₆-insulated GIS equipment or high-voltage switches can cause oxygen depletion (O₂<19.5% VOL) and greenhouse gas emissions. Oxygen detectors (threshold ≤19.5% VOL) and SF₆ leak detectors (infrared or electrochemical) should be installed.

2) Carbon Monoxide (CO): Overheating of electrical equipment (e.g., cable short circuits, transformer faults) may produce CO (incomplete combustion byproduct). Electrochemical CO detectorsshould be placed at the top of equipment rooms (0.3–1 meter).

(4) Hydrogen Energy Storage Systems (Hydrogen Fuel Cells, High-Pressure Hydrogen Tanks)

● Hydrogen (H₂): High-pressure hydrogen tanks (typically 35–70 MPa), pipelines, valves, and fuel cell stacks are primary leakage points. Hydrogen, being lighter than air, accumulates in roofs, pipe supports, or tank tops. Thermal conductivity or infrared H₂detectors should be installed at the top of tanks (0.1–0.3 meter), near pipeline flanges (0.3–0.6 meter), and at fuel cell stack inlets, with models resistant to high-pressure environments.

● Oxygen (O₂): Oxygen produced during electrolysis should be monitored in hydrogen mixing pipelines or electrolysis areasto prevent oxygen-enriched explosions, using electrochemical O₂ detectors.

(5) Laboratories and R&D Areas

● Battery Material Laboratories (e.g., Solid-State Electrolytes, Novel Positive Electrode Materials):

1) Hydrogen (H₂): Used in hydrogen reduction reactions (e.g., preparing lithium battery negative electrode materials); ammonia (NH₃)(pH adjustment) and chlorine (Cl₂) (halogenation reactions) may also be used, posing toxicity risks. Multi-gas composite detectors (e.g., H₂+NH₃+Cl₂+VOCs) should be installed in fume hoods or near experimental workstations.

● Battery Testing Laboratories:

1) Fuel cell test stands may release hydrogen, while lithium battery abuse tests (e.g., overcharging, needle puncture) may produce CO or combustible gases. H₂detectors (near test equipment) and CO detectors are required.

(6) Operation and Emergency Scenarios

● Battery Decommissioning Workshops: Disassembling used batteries may release HF and organic solvent vapors from residual electrolytes. HF detectors and PID sensorsshould be installed above disassembly workstations (0.5 meter).

● Energy Storage Station Inspections: Maintenance personnel entering enclosed battery modules or underground hydrogen storage facilities should use portable multi-gas detectors (for CO, H₂, HF, O₂, etc.)to check for potential leaks.