3 ms·
The problem is, that a lack of oxygene might prevent fires, but not battery shorts and the consequential heat. For treating battery fires, water is the best. Fo
by _ph_ 4y ago
The problem is, that a lack of oxygene might prevent fires, but not battery shorts and the consequential heat. For treating battery fires, water is the best. Fortunately, water is easy to come by for a ship. So one component to transition car carriers is to add large sprinkler systems, which can quickly cool down a car with a thermal runaway.
Ironically, what is often claimed as a fundamental problem with batteries, their lower energy density than fuel, should make them less dangerous in the case of a disaster in the case of a fire. But the nature of the fire is differently and needs to be handled accordingly. (Of course, shipped cars probably only contain a minimum amount of fuel, but likewise, electric cars would only be minimally charged)
- KennyBlanken 4y agoIf a vehicle on a container ship catches fire, the goal is not to put out the fire; that car is a write-off. The goal is to keep it from spreading to another car. That means sprinkler systems and well-crewed ships that can quickly respond to a fire in one of the decks. Unfortunately, the shipping industry is effectively unregulated because workers don't dare complain about anything. Ships have the bare minimum in equipment, likely in poor condition, operated by people who are paid peanuts, poorly trained, etc.