WO2021030723A1

WO2021030723A1 - Cell thermal runaway mitigation systems and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2021030723A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/046452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Audrey Elizabeth DANNAR; Stephen T. HUNG; Gary Don DANNAR
Original assignee: DD Dannar, LLC
Priority date: 2019-08-15
Filing date: 2020-08-14
Publication date: 2021-02-18

Abstract

A system for removing electrolyte from a heating battery cell to reduce electrolyte as a reagent to reduce temperature increase, fire, and explosion. A purge valve is provided on the bottom of a battery housing and an immiscible quench solution of density lower than the electrolyte is introduced through an inlet valve at top of a cell in the battery housing and from a container that easily allows quench solution flow into the battery cell upon the establishment of suction pressure from within the battery cell.

Description

CELL THERMAL RUNAWAY MITIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to cell thermal runaway mitigation systems and methods and, in particular, to systems and methods for removing electrolyte from a heating battery cell to reduce electrolyte as a reagent to reduce temperature increase, fire, and explosion.

BACKGROUND

The high energy density and efficiency of lithium ion batteries can in certain circumstances involve significant safety risks due to thermal runaway of one or more batteries. Thermal runaway in lithium ion batteries manifests a chain of events where battery cell temperature rapidly increases due to exothermic decomposition reactions within the battery cell, and such event may be further exacerbated by the flammability, combustion, and continued decomposition of the electrolytes within the battery cell. Thermal mnaways may occur spontaneously at 80°C, but have been reported to occur at temperatures as low as 66.5 °C, and can lead to fire or explosion. While thermal runaway is uncontainable at the “temperature of no return,” battery temperature continually to increase at a slow rate serves as a safe warning system for approaching thermal runaway. See Wang, Q.; Ping, P.; Zhao, X.; Chu, G.; Sun, J.; Chen, C., Thermal Runaway Caused Fire and Explosion of Lithium Ion Battery. Journal of power sources 2012, 208, 210-224; Lyon, R. E.; Walters, R. N., Energy Release by Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Batteries in Thermal Runaway. 2016; and Wang, Q.; Sun, J.; Chu, G., Lithium Ion Battery Fire and Explosion. Fire Safety Science 2005, 8, 375- 382, the entirety of the foregoing publications being incorporated herein by reference.

To improve the feasibility of lithium ion batteries in large machines and vehicles, preventative measures have been attempted. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has conducted studies on lithium ion battery safety, naming three important safety features, namely: a shutdown separator, a vent that is activated at a set pre runaway temperature or pressure, and fusible links that melt and disconnect battery components. See Russell, S., Crewed Space Vehicle Battery Safety Requirements Revision D. 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Separators, usually polyolefin microporous films, are perhaps the most widely used safety feature in lithium ion batteries and shutdown at approximately 130° C. NASA has utilized providing a physical distance between cells in a battery to avoid heat transfer, as well as providing heat-sink materials between cells. Additionally, NASA has employed steel tubes around battery cells to contain an explosion as much as possible.

Accordingly, systems and methods which stop or attenuate the effects of battery thermal runaway once the thermal runaway process has started would be desirable.

SUMMARY

Because the flammable electrolyte is the most hazardous part of the lithium ion battery and contributes most to thermal runaway, the subject invention removes the electrolyte from the heating battery cell to reduce and/or minimize presence of the electrolyte as a reagent, the presence of which, together with other cell components, can otherwise facilitate further temperature increase, fire, and explosion.

In an exemplary implementation, a component is provided for extracting electrolyte from within an assembled battery cell, module, and/or pack while such battery is installed in its intended place for application and use, and, as shown in FIG. 1, such implementation may include extraction of electrolyte from generally concentrically alternating layers of electrodes and separators, i.e., in a “jelly roll” fashion, when removed from the battery cell and module. See Griitzke, M.; Kraft, V.; Weber, W.; Wendt, C.; Friesen, A.; Klamor, S.; Winter, M.; Nowak, S., Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolytes. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids 2014, 94, 216-222, and https://courses.lumenlearning.com/ chemistryformajors/chapter/batteries-and-fuel-cells-2/, the entirety of the foregoing publications being incorporated herein by reference.

Another exemplary implementation entails a fault mitigation system that extracts electrolyte from the battery cell early in the thermochemical process that would otherwise lead to runaway. At a set pre-runaway temperature, the instant fault mitigation system automatically introduces a vacuum, or negative pressure, to a battery cell via a valve in/on the battery cell of a battery module. This negative pressure acts to facilitate extraction of the flammable electrolyte solution from the assembled battery module through the valve. Shortly before and no later than shortly after negative pressure is applied, a nonflammable quenching solution can be injected/introduced/allowed into the battery cell via a second valve, to effectively flush the battery cell of electrolyte and facilitate electrolyte removal. Contents extracted from the battery may be collected or exhausted/ejected outside the battery cell, module, and/or pack and thus situated away from other reagents, given that the mutual presence of the electrolyte within the battery cell could otherwise lead to continuation of a thermal runaway event. In certain implementations of the present disclosure, systems and methods are provided for purging a battery cell of electrolyte from a cell or group of cells within a rigid or semi-rigid cell housing, the system including the battery cell or group of cells being provided with a single port, which could be the same as the fill port of the battery cell and/or the same as the vent for the battery cell, particularly since the directionality of flow is outward. A source of suction is connected to the battery cell port for transmission of fluid, which could be: an evacuated tank having an access controlled by a valve (which may or may not be the cell port) the opening of which is controlled by a device that opens the valve upon detecting temperature beyond a known critical temperature; a pump, the activation of which is controlled by the device that opens the valve upon detecting temperature beyond a known critical temperature. A combination including the pump and tank and valve is provided, wherein the pump evacuates the tank for the tank itself to collect all fluid withdrawn from the battery cell, or the pump evacuates the tank for the tank to first collect fluid withdrawn from the battery cell prior to the pump further withdrawing fluid from the tank for ejection from the battery system (or for transfer to a rigid or non-rigid container); and/or any of the arrangements above with a pump, wherein the fluid connection line from the battery cell port to the valve (if such valve is in the system) and/or to the pump is pre-filled with nonflammable quench liquid, such that actuation of the pump effects incompressible flow from the battery cell without need of establishing or maintaining vacuum in the fluid connection line in order to force exit of electrolyte from the battery cell(s). Also provided is a temperature sensing device controlling check valve on the port upon monitoring of a predetermined pre-mnaway trigger set temperature or other critical temperature.

In still other implementations of the present disclosure, systems and methods are provided for purging a battery cell of electrolyte and flushing the battery cell with quenching solution, with injection of quench fluid to commence either prior to or very shortly after initiation of electrolyte extraction, in a fashion particularly suitable for facilitating removal of fluid from a cell or group of cells with semi-rigid cell housings, wherein the battery cell or set of cells is provided with at least two ports, which may be the same as that/those used for electrolyte filling of the battery cell and/or venting of the battery cell. Also provided is a source of pressurized, nonflammable quench fluid connected by one or more fluid transmission arrangement tubes, conduits, hoses, pipes, etc. to at least one port of the battery cell. A vacuum pump or other source of suction is provided for extraction of electrolyte and is connected by the fluid transmission arrangement to at least one cell port different from those connected to the quench fluid transmission arrangement for the transmission of extracted fluid. A temperature sensing device controls check valves on all ports via monitoring of a predetermined pre-runaway trigger set temperature.

In various implementations of the present disclosure, the vacuum drawn is between approximately 200 mbar and 950 mbar, the predetermined set pre-runaway trigger temperature is between approximately 80 °C and 250 °C, the quenching solution is immiscible with the electrolyte (or the quenching solution is miscible with the electrolyte) and is of a higher or a lower density the quenching solution and/or the emergency purge check valve is installed on the top of one or more of the battery cells.

In certain implementations, a system is provided for purging a battery cell containing electrolyte, the battery cell having at least one of a fill port and a vent port, the system including a valve connected to at least one of a fill port and a vent port, a suction source in fluid communication with the valve, and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the suction source and the valve and configured to open the valve (i.e., cause the valve to be open) upon sensing a predetermined set temperature, and the suction source being configured for evacuating electrolyte from the battery cell. Variations can include a container communicatively connected to the suction source and configured to collect the electrolyte evacuated from the battery cell and the suction source being a pump and/or an evacuated tank.

Additional implementations include system for purging a battery cell containing electrolyte, the battery cell having at least one of a fill port and a vent port, the system comprising a valve connected to at least one of a fill port and a vent port, a pump in fluid communication with the valve, a source of in fluid communication with the pump and the valve, and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the pump and the valve and configured to open the valve upon (i.e., cause the valve to be open) sensing a predetermined set temperature, and the pump being configured for pumping the nonflammable quench liquid into the battery cell to displace the electrolyte from the battery cell.

Further implementations include a method comprising purging a battery cell of electrolyte and flushing the battery cell with quenching solution, with injection of quench fluid to commence either prior to or very shortly after initiation of electrolyte extraction, in a fashion particularly suitable for facilitating removal of fluid from the battery cell. Yet further implementations include a system for purging a battery cell containing electrolyte, the battery cell having at least one of a fill port and a vent port, the system having a valve connected to at least one of a fill port and a vent port, a pump in fluid communication with the valve, a suction source in fluid communication with the valve, a source of suction in fluid communication with the pump and the valve, and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the pump, the suction source, and the valve and configured to open the valve (i.e., cause the valve to be open) upon sensing a predetermined set temperature, initiate the pump for pumping the nonflammable quench liquid into the battery cell to displace the electrolyte from the battery cell, and initiating the suction source for extracting the electrolyte and nonflammable quench liquid pumped from the battery cell.

Additional implementations include a system having a case with a battery cell having electrolyte and generally concentrically alternating layers of at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, and at least one separator between each positive electrode and each negative electrode, wherein the at least one positive electrode, the at least one separator, and the at least one negative electrode are configured in a jelly roll type of configuration within the case. At least one of a fill port and a vent port is provided in fluid communication with the battery cell, and a valve is connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port. A suction source is in fluid communication with the valve and is configured for evacuating electrolyte from the battery cell, and a temperature sensing device is communicatively connected to the suction source and the valve and is configured to cause, upon sensing a predetermined set temperature, the valve to open and the suction source to evacuate electrolyte from the battery cell.

Further implementations may include a system including a battery cell having electrolyte and generally concentrically alternating layers of at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, and at least one separator between each positive electrode and each negative electrode, wherein the at least one positive electrode, the at least one separator, and the at least one negative electrode are configured in a jelly roll type configuration. At least one of a fill port and a vent port in fluid communication with the battery cell is provided, as is a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port. A pump is in fluid communication with the valve, and a source of nonflammable quench fluid is in fluid communication with the valve. A source of suction is in fluid communication with the pump and the valve, and s temperature sensing device is communicatively connected to the pump, the suction source, and the valve and configured, upon the temperature sensing device sensing a predetermined set temperature, to cause the valve to open (to initiate the pump to pump the nonflammable quench fluid into the battery cell, wherein the electrolyte is displaced from the battery cell by the nonflammable quench fluid), and to initiate the suction source to extract the electrolyte and the nonflammable quench fluid pumped from the battery cell.

Other publications incorporated herein by reference in their entirety include: Golubkov, A. W.; Fuchs, D.; Wagner, J.; Wiltsche, FL; Stangl, C.; Fauler, G.; Voitic, G.; Thaler, A.; Hacker, V., Thermal-Runaway Experiments on Consumer Li-Ion Batteries with Metal-Oxide and Olivin-Type Cathodes. RSC Advances 2014, 4 (7), 3633-3642; Weydanz, W. J.; Reisenweber, H.; Gottschalk, A.; Schulz, M.; Knoche, T.; Reinhart, G.; Masuch, M.; Franke, J.; Gilles, R., Visualization of Electrolyte Filling Process and Influence of Vacuum During Filling for Hard Case Prismatic Lithium Ion Cells by Neutron Imaging to Optimize the Production Process. Journal of Power Sources 2018, 380, 126-134; and Technical University of Munich (TUM), "Filling Lithium-Ion Cells Faster: Neutrons Pave the Way to Accelerated Production of Lithium-Ion Cells." ScienceDaily , 2018.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yet other examples, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described exemplary aspects of the disclosure in general terms, various features and attendant advantages of the disclosed concepts will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. The drawings form a part of the specification. Features shown in the drawings are meant as illustrative of some, but not all, embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise explicitly indicated, and implications to the contrary are otherwise not to be made. Although in the drawings like reference numerals correspond to similar, though not necessarily identical, components and/or features, for the sake of brevity, reference numerals or features having a previously described function may not necessarily be described in connection with other drawings in which such components and/or features appear. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of an implementation of an example of a cylindrical electrochemical battery cell with generally concentrically alternating layers of electrodes and separators, i.e., in a “jelly roll” type configuration;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an implementation of the present disclosure, including a battery cell having a quench solution supply connected to a supply valve on the top of the battery cell for selectively supplying quench solution to the battery, a temperature sensing device, a container for purged material drawn from a purge valve in the bottom of the battery cell, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the container and the purge valve, and a temperature sensing device connected to the supply and purge valves and the vacuum pump;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an implementation of the present disclosure, including a battery cell, a temperature sensing device, a container for receiving through a container valve material drawn from a purge valve in the battery cell, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the container and the purge valve, and a temperature sensing device connected to the container and purge valves and the vacuum pump; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an implementation of the present disclosure, including a battery cell having a quench solution supply connected to a supply valve on the top of the battery cell for selectively supplying quench solution to the battery, a temperature sensing device, a container for purged material drawn from a purge valve in the top of the battery cell, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the container and the purge valve, and a temperature sensing device connected to the supply and purge valves and the vacuum pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all examples of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various exemplary aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

In PIG. 1, a schematic view is shown of an example implementation of an electrochemical battery cell 10. Electrochemical battery cell 10 is shown with an overall cylindrical shape having generally concentrically alternating layers of at least one positive electrode 12, at least one negative electrode 14, and at least one separator 16, i.e., in a “jelly roll” configuration within a case 18. Case 18 includes a positve (+) metal top cover 20 and a negative (-) metal bottom cover 22. Electrochemical battery cell 10 includes a safety valve 24, insulation ring 26, and positive electrode collector 28 near metal top cover 20 and a negative electrode collector 30 near metal bottom cover 22.

The electrolyte removal process of the present disclosure can be implemented in at least three specific techniques. One exemplary implementation, generally 100, as shown in FIG. 2, which includes a cell 102 containing electrolyte. An immiscible quench solution is held in a container 103 with a fill inlet 103 a, the solution being of lower density than the electrolyte solution in cell 102. The container 103 is in fluid communication with an inlet valve 104 in the top of the battery cell 102 via a duct, hose, conduit, etc. 106. A vent port 105 may also be provided in cell 102. The system 100 is activated upon detection of thermal runaway by a temperature-sensitive device, generally 108, monitoring the predetermined pre runaway trigger set temperature within the battery cell 102.

Upon detection of thermal runaway, the quench solution is introduced into the battery cell 102 through the inlet valve 104 (which could be a one-way valve). The inlet valve 104 is separate from a purge valve 110 preferably located at or near the bottom of the battery cell 102. Upon introduction of the lower-density quench solution, such quench solution remains at the top of the battery cell’s cavity and consequently, as the quench solution flows into the battery cell 102, forces the electrolyte downwardly through the battery cell 102 and towards the purge valve 110. The electrolyte and quench solution is withdrawn from the battery cell 102 via the purge valve 110 and into a container 112 under suction provided by a vacuum pump 114. Either of the purge valve 110 or inlet valve 104 can be the same valve or port (not shown) as was used for filling the battery cell 102 with electrolyte addition during production of the battery cell 102. The temperature-sensitive device 108 is communicatively coupled to the inlet valve 104, the purge valve 110, and/or the vacuum pump 114 for actuation of each of such devices 104, 110, and 114.

In a further exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, a miscible quench could be used to flush the system with a purge valve (not shown) being located on an opposite face, edge, or corner from the inlet of the battery cell.

The purge, or outlet, valve for solution exiting a cell could be a number of options because the direction of electrolyte and quench flows will be dictated by gravity, vacuum pressure, and inlet flow. However, a valve that allows one-way flow, such as a check valve, will ensure that the electrolyte is leaving the battery cell does not reenter.

In another exemplary implementation as shown in FIG. 3, a system, generally 200, is provided for purging a battery cell 202 containing electrolyte. The battery cell includes a fill port 203 and a vent port 204 and a valve 206 connected to the fill port 203 (although it could be connected to the vent port 204 if desired). A suction source, such as an evacuated tank 208 (which could also be non-evacuated) with a container valve 209 and/or a vacuum pump 210, in fluid communication with the valve 206. A temperature sensing device 212 is communicatively connected to the vacuum pump 210 and the valves 206, 209, and the temperature sensing device 212 is configured to open the valves 206, 209 (i.e., cause the valves 206, 209 to open) upon sensing a predetermined pre-mnaway trigger set temperature and evacuating the electrolyte from the battery cell 202, through a duct, hose, conduit, etc. 213, to tank 208 using the suction provided by the vacuum pump 210.

In still another exemplary implementation as shown in FIG. 4, a system, generally 300, which includes a cell 302 containing electrolyte. An immiscible quench solution is held in a container 301 with a fill inlet 301a, the solution being of higher density than the electrolyte solution in cell 302. The container is in fluid communication with an inlet valve 304 in the top of the battery cell 302 via a duct, hose, conduit, etc. 306. The system 300 is activated upon detection of thermal runaway by a temperature-sensitive device, generally 306, monitoring the predetermined pre-mnaway trigger set temperature within the battery cell 302.

Upon detection of thermal runaway, the quench solution is introduced into the battery cell 302 through the inlet valve 304 (which could be a one-way valve). The inlet valve 304 is separate from a purge valve 310 preferably located at or near the top of the battery cell 302. Upon introduction of the higher-density quench solution, such quench solution settles at the bottom of the battery cell’s cavity and consequently forces a rise of the electrolyte upward through the battery cell 302 and towards the purge valve 310. The electrolyte and quench solution is withdrawn from the battery cell 302 via the purge valve 310, through a duct, hose, conduit, etc. 311, and into a container 312 (with a container valve 313) under suction provided by a vacuum pump 314. Either of the purge valve 310 or inlet valve 304 can be the same valve or port (not shown) as was used for filling the battery cell 302 with electrolyte addition during production of the battery cell 302. The temperature-sensitive device 306 is communicatively coupled to the inlet valve 304, the purge valve 310, container valve 313 and/or the vacuum pump 314 for actuation of each of such devices 304, 310, 313, and 314.

Either of the purge valve 310 or inlet valve 304 can be the same valve or port 316 as was used for filling the battery cell 302 with electrolyte addition during production of the battery cell 302.

At least one thermodynamic study of lithium ion cells has shown that cell surface temperature increases slowly and steadily over the course of approximately 4,000 seconds, then increases at a slightly faster rate for approximately 1 ,000 seconds, before reaching the temperature of no return (approx. 200°). (See Golubkov, et al. referenced above.) It is understood that the exact duration of thermal runaway events will vary upon the nature of a cell and the parameters of its use. It is also known, however, that nearly all electrolyte is injected into a newly manufactured cell on the timescale of seconds (see Weydanz, et al. and the ScienceDaily references above), and can be extracted from a jelly roll in an extraction chamber in a matter of minutes (see Griitzke, et al. referenced above), or a few hundred seconds. Accordingly, extraction of electrolyte can occur in a fraction of the time necessary for otherwise full progression of thermal runaway.

The exemplary implementations systems and methods of the present disclosure will automatically engage in the extraction process upon a cell reaching a pre-mnaway temperature that is significantly below the temperature of no return. For lithium ion cells, this temperature could be in the range of 80-175 °C. Thus, such systems and methods should have adequate time to remove slowly-heating electrolyte before battery cell temperature reaches the temperature of no return.

One exemplary implementation of a method of the present disclosure need not occupy excessive space, even if one wishes to collect extracted electrolyte rather than releasing or exhausting it. The electrolyte in a lithium ion cell is typically a relatively small fraction of total cell volume. For 18,650 cells, electrolyte comprises about 25% of total cell volume. (See Golubkov, et al. referenced above.) An example of a compact, suitable pump is an automotive vacuum pump, which can establish vacuum pressure of magnitudes down to -950 mbar, although any other suitable pump could also be used. Valves used in certain of the implementations of the present disclosure are of materials and construction sufficient to withstand battery internal pressures and movements of normal use. Use of one-way valves in such an arrangement inherently introduces quench fluid slightly after initiation of extraction of electrolyte. In one non- limiting exemplary implementation, a suitable organic lower density immiscible quench option may be isopropyl palmitate (d = 0.852 g/mL, FP = 206 C), which is very common and relatively inexpensive. Alternative options may include: butyl stearate (d = 0.861 g/mL, FP = 160 C), methyl oleate (d = 0.874 g/mL, FP = 113 C), and di-n-octyl phthalate (d = 0.98 g/mL, FP = 109 C) which is immiscible with ethylene carbonate (EC) but not propylene carbonate (PC).

Other implementations of the current subject matter will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoing specification is considered merely exemplary of the current subject matter with the true scope thereof being defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for purging a battery cell containing electrolyte, the battery cell having at least one of a fill port and a vent port, the system comprising: a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port; a suction source in fluid communication with the valve and configured to selectively evacuate electrolyte from the battery cell; and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the suction source and the valve and configured to cause the valve to open upon sensing a predetermined set temperature and to cause the suction source to evacuate electrolyte from the battery cell.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a container in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to collect the electrolyte evacuated from the battery cell.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the suction source includes an evacuated tank.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the suction source includes a vacuum pump.

5. A system for purging a battery cell containing electrolyte, the battery cell having at least one of a fill port and a vent port, the system comprising: a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port; a pump in fluid communication with the valve; a source of nonflammable quench fluid in fluid communication with the pump and the valve; the pump being configured to pump the nonflammable quench fluid into the battery cell; and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the pump and the valve and configured, upon sensing a predetermined set temperature, to cause the valve to open and the pump to pump the nonflammable quench fluid into the battery cell, wherein the nonflammable quench fluid displaces the electrolyte from the battery cell.

6. A method system for purging a battery cell containing electrolyte, the battery cell having at least one of a fill port and a vent port, the method comprising: monitoring the temperature of the electrolyte with a temperature sensing device; providing a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port and a suction source in fluid communication with the valve, the suction source being configured for evacuating electrolyte from the battery cell; providing a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the suction source and to the valve; monitoring the temperature of the electrolyte with the temperature sensing device; and upon the temperature sensing device sensing a predetermined set temperature, directing the valve to open and the suction source to evacuate the electrolyte from the battery cell.

7. A system for purging a battery cell containing electrolyte, the battery cell having at least one of a fill port and a vent port, the system comprising: a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port; a pump in fluid communication with the valve; a source of nonflammable quench fluid in communication with the valve; a source of suction in fluid communication with the pump and the valve; and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the pump, the suction source, and the valve; and the temperature device being configured, upon sensing a predetermined set temperature, for: causing the valve to open; initiating the pump to pump the nonflammable quench fluid into the battery cell, wherein the electrolyte is displaced from the battery cell by the nonflammable quench fluid; and initiating the suction source to extract the electrolyte and the nonflammable quench fluid pumped from the battery cell.

8. A method for purging a battery cell containing electrolyte, the battery cell having at least one of a fill port and a vent port, the method comprising: providing a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port and a pump in fluid communication with the valve; providing a source of nonflammable quench fluid in communication with the valve and a source of suction in fluid communication with the pump and the valve; providing a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the pump, the suction source, and the valve; and monitoring the temperature of the electrolyte with a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the valve, the source of nonflammable quench fluid, and the suction source; and upon the temperature sensing device sensing a predetermined set temperature: causing the valve to open; using the pump, pumping the nonflammable quench fluid into the battery cell to displace the electrolyte from the battery cell; and using the suction source, extracting the electrolyte and nonflammable quench fluid pumped from the battery cell.

9. A system, comprising: a case including a battery cell having electrolyte and generally concentrically alternating layers of: at least one positive electrode; at least one negative electrode; and at least one separator between each positive electrode and each negative electrode, wherein the at least one positive electrode, the at least one separator, and the at least one negative electrode are configured in a jelly roll type of configuration within the case; at least one of a fill port and a vent port in fluid communication with the battery cell; a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port; a suction source in fluid communication with the valve and configured for evacuating electrolyte from the battery cell; and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the suction source and the valve and configured to cause upon sensing a predetermined set temperature: the valve to open; and the suction source to evacuate electrolyte from the battery cell.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a container in fluid communication with the suction source and configured to collect the electrolyte evacuated from the battery cell.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the suction source includes an evacuated tank.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the suction source includes a vacuum pump.

13. A system, comprising: a battery cell having electrolyte and generally concentrically alternating layers of: at least one positive electrode; at least one negative electrode; and at least one separator between each positive electrode and each negative electrode, wherein the at least one positive electrode, the at least one separators, and the at least one negative electrode are configured in a jelly roll type configuration; at least one of a fill port and a vent port in fluid communication with the electrolyte; a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port; a suction source in fluid communication with the valve and configured for evacuating electrolyte from the battery cell; and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the suction source and the valve and configured to cause the valve to open and the suction source to evacuate electrolyte from the battery cell upon the temperature sensing device sensing a predetermined set temperature.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising: a case in which the battery cell is held; and the case including a positve portion and a negative portion.

15. A system, comprising: a battery cell having electrolyte and generally concentrically alternating layers of at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, and at least one separator between each positive electrode and each negative electrode, wherein the at least one positive electrode, the at least one separator, and the at least one negative electrode are configured in a jelly roll type configuration; at least one of a fill port and a vent port in fluid communication with the battery cell; a valve connected to at least one of the fill port and the vent port; a pump in fluid communication with the valve; a source of nonflammable quench fluid in fluid communication with the valve; a source of suction in fluid communication with the pump and the valve; and a temperature sensing device communicatively connected to the pump, the suction source, and the valve and configured, upon the temperature sensing device sensing a predetermined set temperature, to: cause the valve to open; initiate the pump to pump the nonflammable quench fluid into the battery cell, wherein the electrolyte is displaced from the battery cell by the nonflammable quench fluid; and initiate the suction source to extract the electrolyte and the nonflammable quench fluid pumped from the battery cell.