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> The report notes that Fort Lauderdale Fire and Rescue Department found the Tesla "fully engulfed in flames" at the crash scene and extinguished it with 200 to

> The report notes that Fort Lauderdale Fire and Rescue Department found the Tesla "fully engulfed in flames" at the crash scene and extinguished it with 200 to 300 gallons of water and foam. Water + lithium fire, smart. I'm surprised it was put out successfully to begin with. Probably it died on its own, and got restarted with the water.

ot 8y ago
It's literally what Tesla recommends: > USE WATER TO FIGHT A HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY FIRE. If the battery catches fire, is exposed to high heat, or is generating heat or gases, use large amounts of water to cool the battery. It can take approximately 3,000 gallons of water, applied directly to the battery, to fully extinguish and cool down a battery fire; always establish or request an additional water supply. If water is not immediately available, use dry chemicals, CO2, foam, or another typical fire-extinguishing agent to fight the fire until water is available. https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/2016_Model_S_Emergency_Response_Guide_en.pdf https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/2016_Mod...
- stephengillie 8y ago
  That much water is probably enough to react with all exposed lithium, while removing enough heat to prevent damage to other batteries or battery cases.
sandworm101 8y ago
There isn't enough lithium at play to worry about water+lithium fires. Not every battery cell is exposed. The water is needed to reduce temperature, to prevent undamaged cells from being cooked by the burning ones. Foam removes oxygen but that doesn't reduce the energy potential contained in the damaged cells It won't prevent them from cooking off their neighbours like water will. Water is also needed to unsure and carbon fiber doesn't burn, releasing all sorts of nasty stuff.
deleted 8y ago
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cptskippy 8y ago
Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIB) don't react violently to water, the lithium contained within them is minimal and disbursed. It's not the solid clump of raw metal form your chemistry professor might have used to demonstrate the reactivity of such metals. The concern with LIBs is a short circuit to the cell causing a thermal runaway as it rapidly discharges. The heat can cause the battery or surrounding components to combust. A short can occur due to a puncture, rupture, or blunt force (e.g. Samsung Note explosions). Water is the most effective way to cool the batteries.

ot 8y ago

It's literally what Tesla recommends: > USE WATER TO FIGHT A HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY FIRE. If the battery catches fire, is exposed to high heat, or is generating heat or gases, use large amounts of water to cool the battery. It can take approximately 3,000 gallons of water, applied directly to the battery, to fully extinguish and cool down a battery fire; always establish or request an additional water supply. If water is not immediately available, use dry chemicals, CO2, foam, or another typical fire-extinguishing agent to fight the fire until water is available. https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/2016_Model_S_Emergency_Response_Guide_en.pdf https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/2016_Mod...

stephengillie 8y ago
That much water is probably enough to react with all exposed lithium, while removing enough heat to prevent damage to other batteries or battery cases.

sandworm101 8y ago

There isn't enough lithium at play to worry about water+lithium fires. Not every battery cell is exposed. The water is needed to reduce temperature, to prevent undamaged cells from being cooked by the burning ones. Foam removes oxygen but that doesn't reduce the energy potential contained in the damaged cells It won't prevent them from cooking off their neighbours like water will. Water is also needed to unsure and carbon fiber doesn't burn, releasing all sorts of nasty stuff.

deleted 8y ago

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cptskippy 8y ago

Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIB) don't react violently to water, the lithium contained within them is minimal and disbursed. It's not the solid clump of raw metal form your chemistry professor might have used to demonstrate the reactivity of such metals. The concern with LIBs is a short circuit to the cell causing a thermal runaway as it rapidly discharges. The heat can cause the battery or surrounding components to combust. A short can occur due to a puncture, rupture, or blunt force (e.g. Samsung Note explosions). Water is the most effective way to cool the batteries.