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Research Paper

An experimental study on the adaptability of fire extinguishing agents for EV (LIB) fire response in underground expressways

지하고속도로 내, 전기차(LIB) 화재대응을 위한 소화약제의 적응성 검토에 관한 실험적 연구

Hyun O Jang1*
,
Jun Seong Park2
장 현오1*
,
박 준성2
1Assistant Manager, Industry Convergence Center, Korea Conformity Laboratories
2Associate Research Engineer, Industry Convergence Center, Korea Conformity Laboratories
1정회원, 한국건설생활환경시험연구원 산업융합센터 선임연구원
2비회원, 한국건설생활환경시험연구원 산업융합센터 연구원
*Corresponding Author
31 January 2025. pp. 45-58
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Abstract

The government is advancing a project to build an underground expressway over 30 km long to alleviate severe traffic congestion. It is also implementing an electric vehicle (EV) subsidy program under the 4th basic plan for eco-friendly vehicles (2021), increasing the share of lithium-ion battery (LIB) EVs. However, the expressway, expected to open after 2030, lacks sufficient fire response measures for EV fire incidents. This study conducted adaptability experiments on fire extinguishing agents for LIB modules as part of efforts to ensure early suppression and prevent the spread of fires in underground expressways during EV (LIB) fire incidents. Four types of fire extinguishing agents were tested, with variables set across eight levels based on the presence or absence of stainless steel external casings. Thermal runaway was induced in LIB cells, and water-based agents were sprayed at approximately 30 L/min (total 80 L), while powder-based agents were applied at approximately 34 kg/min (total 20 kg). Temperature changes were then monitored. The results revealed that thermal runaway occurred at temperatures ranging from 237 to 260°C in LIB modules. Regardless of the presence of external casings, water-based infiltrative extinguishing agents demonstrated superior performance in reducing temperature and preventing heat spread (thermal propagation). The findings of this study provide foundational data that can be widely utilized for developing EV fire response technologies and systems in the future.

Keywords
Underground expressways
Electric vehicle
Lithium-ion battery
Fire response
Fire extinguishing agent

최근 정부는 도심지 등 극심한 교통 지 ‧ 정체 문제를 해결하기 위해 약 30 km 이상의 지하고속도로 사업을 추진하고 있다. 이와 더불어 정부는 제4차 친환경자동차 기본계획(2021)에 근거하여 전기차(electric vehicle, EV) 보조금 지원사업을 시행하고 있으며, 이로 인해 리튬이온배터리(lithium-ion battery, LIB) 전기차의 비중이 증가되고 있는 추세이다. 하지만 2030년 이후 개통이 예상되는 지하고속도로는 이러한 환경변화에도 불구하고 전기차 화재사고 시, 이에 상응하는 화재대응 기술 및 대책 방안은 상당히 미흡한 실정이다. 따라서, 본 연구는 지하고속도로 내 전기차 화재사고 발생 시, 조기소화 및 확산방지를 위한 일환으로 전기차에 적용중인 LIB 모듈 대상 소화약제에 관한 적응성 실험을 수행하였다. 실험은 총 4종의 소화약제를 대상으로 스테인리스 스틸로 제작된 외함 적용 유무에 따라 총 8수준으로 실험변수를 설정하였다. 또한 LIB셀에 열적 이상 조건으로 열폭주를 유도한 이후 수계형 약제는 약 30 L/min의 속도로 80 L를 분사하였으며, 분말형 약제는 약 34 kg/min의 속도로 20 kg을 분사한 후, 온도 변화를 관찰하였다. 실험결과, LIB 모듈 대상으로 약 237~260°C 도달 시 열폭주 현상이 발생하였으며, 외함 적용 유무에 관계없이 수계형 침윤 소화약제가 온도감소 및 확산방지(열전이) 효과가 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 마지막으로 본 연구결과에서 제시된 기초 데이터는 추후 전기차 화재대응 기술 확보 및 시스템 개발에 널리 활용 될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

키워드
지하고속도로
전기차
리튬이온배터리
화재대응
소화약제
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Tunneling and Underground Space Association
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회 논문집
  • Volume : 27
  • No :1
  • Pages :45-58
  • Received Date : 2024-11-26
  • Revised Date : 2024-12-11
  • Accepted Date : 2024-12-11
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.9711/KTAJ.2025.27.1.045
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