How Lithium Batteries Become a Workplace Hazard

July 7, 2015 by Lee Ann Coniglione

http://www.lion.com/

1. The rising popularity of lithium batteries makes it crucial that manufacturers, shippers, and consumers who handle and use lithium-battery-powered devices know the safety hazards these products pose. By following some basic handling and storage guidelines, everyone who comes in contact with lithium batteries can avoid short circuits, fires, and injuries.

2. Today, lithium batteries are well suited for a variety of electronic applications because of their small size, their light weight, and their energy storage capacity. Lithium batteries are considered high-energy density batteries, which means they have a high energy storage capacity. Their longevity directly influences the usefulness of our devices.

3. Lithium-ion batteries have a limited shelf life. From the time of manufacture, they start to degrade. Lithium batteries are also susceptible to high temperatures and should be kept in a climate-controlled environment and out of direct sunlight. The most significant drawback of lithium batteries, though, is their unique fire hazards.

4. Although lithium battery fires and explosions are relatively uncommon, when such an event occurs, it has the potential to be serious. You may recall recent news stories involving laptops or cell phones that burst into flames. In most cases like this, a faulty or damaged lithium battery is to blame. Lithium batteries may also be damaged as a result of mechanical, electrical, or thermal mishaps. In some cases, the battery defect may originate with the battery manufacturer.

5. A battery can catch fire due to an internal short circuit. When a short circuit occurs, it causes overheating of the cells within a battery. The rise in temperature results in increased current, which in turn accelerates the cell's chemical reaction rate. As the chemical reaction rate increases, more heat is produced, again causing an increase in temperature. And the cycle continues, typically only ending when the battery explodes or erupts into flames.

6. Lithium fires are very unique in that they are not typically extinguished in the same manner as ordinary fires. Depending on the type of battery, non-traditional extinguishing agents, such as copper powder, may be needed. Whatever the situation may be, only trained professionals are equipped to handle a large lithium battery fire, which involves molten metal and toxic smoke.

7. A few simple safeguards can help protect the batteries in electronic devices. For consumers, it's crucial to avoid mechanical damage to the battery as a result of crushing, puncturing, dropping, or excessive vibration or shock. In addition, the following guidelines are applicable to workplace environments where lithium batteries are stored:

Keep batteries in their original packaging;

Store in areas with adequate ventilation;

Avoid non-uniform stacking of boxes containing batteries, which could lead to tipping;

Place larger, heavier boxes on bottom of a stack to avoid crushing.

8. Employees who handle lithium batteries in the workplace must know the hazards these batteries pose and how to protect themselves and co-workers. There are special courses designed for employees who handle and store lithium batteries at work.

Сопоставьте части предложений. Переведите предложения письменно.

1. The rise in temperature results in increased current, 2. There are special courses designed for employees 3. consumers who handle and use lithium-battery-powered devices 4. Lithium batteries may also be damaged 5. The most significant drawback of lithium batteries

a. know the safety hazards these products pose. b. is their unique fire hazards. c. which in turn accelerates the cell's chemical reaction rate. d. as a result of mechanical, electrical, or thermal mishaps. e. who handle and store lithium batteries at work.

8. Прочитайте текст и ответьте письменно на вопросы:

1. Why are lithium batteries so popular nowadays?

2. What can be the cause of battery damage?

3. How can short circuit inside the battery lead to fire?

4. Why are lithium fires different from other fires?

5. What safety guidelines can be used at workplace where lithium batteries are stored?

9. Заполните пропуски данными словами (applications, extinguished, avoid (x2), guidelines, capacity, containing, manufacturer). Переведите предложения на русский язык.

1. By following some basic handling and storage a)………., everyone who comes in contact with lithium batteries can b)………. short circuits, fires, and injuries.

2. Lithium batteries are well suited for a variety of electronic c)………..because of their small size, their light weight, and their energy storage d)………..

3. In some cases, the battery defect may originate with the battery e)………….

4. Lithium fires are not typically f)…………. in the same manner as ordinary fires.

5. Employees should g)………..non-uniform stacking of boxes h)………..batteries, which could lead to tipping.

Переведите текст письменно и приготовьтесь к контролю чтения абзацев № 1,2.