Safe storage, transportation & disposal of swollen lithium batteries

If a lithium-ion-battery becomes very hot, smells of melted plastic, smoulders or expands, you must act quickly: 

• Remove the device from your body immediately, e.g. from your trouser pocket.
• If necessary, unplug the device immediately to stop the charging process.
• If possible, switch off the device.
• If possible, place it outside on a fireproof surface. Alternatively: Remove any flammable material in the vicinity or place the battery or device in a fireproof container, e.g. a saucepan or flower pot. The container must not be airtight, otherwise it could explode.
• Keep your distance until the battery has cooled down.

Why are some Li-ion batteries swelling?

Lithium-ion-batteries use different chemicals in the electrodes and electrolyte, which differ between models. If the battery is damaged or stored or charged in frosty or very hot conditions or used with the wrong charger, reactions can occur in which gases are formed that inflate the sealed housing. In the worst case, this is the last phase before a thermal runaway, in which the energy stored in the battery is released. This can result in pressurised flames or even an explosion. If the problem is recognised just in time and the external power supply is disconnected, it may still be possible to stop these chemical reactions. This is why it is so important to pull the plug on an expanding battery.

Why you should not use inflated batteries

First of all, a bloated battery is broken. The probability that it will still work at all is low. More importantly, the chemical processes that lead to thermal runaway can be restarted by charging or even just using the battery. Anyone who reuses or recharges an already swollen Li-ion battery risks a fire or even an explosion, which can destroy more than just the device.

That means: DO NOT USE and certainly DO NOT CHARGE inflated, bloated, expanded or swollen batteries, but dispose them as quickly as possible and store them safely until then.

If you do not want to dispose of the device with the battery, you should first wait until the battery has cooled down. Then you can try to remove it. At the very least, wear protective goggles and fireproof gloves and it is best to work outdoors on a fireproof surface. Mechanical stress during removal could restart the thermal runaway process, so pay very close attention to how the battery behaves.

How to store, transport and dispose of swollen lithium batteries

If an inflated battery has cooled down and has not heated up by itself over a longer period of time, it is not very likely that it will spontaneously catch fire or explode. However, it is quite possible and mechanical stress – e.g. if it is dropped – increases this risk further. Therefore, treat an inflated battery like a raw egg ... that can burn down your house. Here are a few tips:

• Do not store inflated batteries near flammable material and preferably in a fireproof container.
• Dispose of the inflated battery as quickly as possible and ensure that it is transported safely.
• Do not expose the inflated battery to heat (including sunlight) or cold.
• Do not dispose of the inflated battery in the normal waste bin, but take it to a collection point. Incorrectly disposed of lithium-ion-batteries regularly cause fires in waste collection vehicles and at waste disposal companies.
• You should also not dispose of an inflated battery in the battery collection box at the supermarket. Otherwise you risk a fire there. It is better to hand over the battery to the staff responsible for hazardous materials at your recycling centre.
• To avoid short circuits, you should tape the plus and minus pole.

How companies can safely store, transport and dispose of bloated batteries

Companies that sell batteries, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries or devices powered by them must also take back the corresponding products. Normally, it is sufficient to set up a battery collection box. However, consumers can also return damaged or deflated batteries to the shop. These pose a fire risk and a lack of fire protection for batteries can constitute a breach of occupational safety regulations or lead to problems with your own fire insurance – or to a devastating fire. This particularly affects garages that repair damaged electric cars and find bloated cells, DIY stores with their power tools and bicycle dealers. These products have particularly powerful lithium-ion batteries, which can cause serious damage in the event of a fire. However, companies that use power tools themselves (e.g. tradesmen) can also quickly run into the problem of having to safely store and dispose of a swollen battery.

We recommend storing inflated lithium batteries separately from normal recycling batteries in a fireproof box.

Entrepreneurs should also note that particularly strict ADR special provisions apply to the transport of damaged batteries. For the transfer to a disposal company or between company sites, either specially trained employees with the appropriate equipment should be used or a specialised external partner should be called in. RETRON offers companies and local authorities customised solutions for the storage, transport and disposal of lithium-ion-batteries – even if they are damaged or swollen. Contact us, we will be happy to advise you.