Boeing knows how volatile its batteries can be

BY Chris Sullivan  on January 24, 2013 @ 5:49 am (Updated: 6:59 am - 1/24/13 )

AP: 8dee45b3-eb2e-4fcc-bb84-16a0c8089069
This Jan. 17, 2013 photo provided by the Japan Transport Safety Board shows the distorted main lithium-ion battery of the All Nippon Airways' Boeing 787 which made an emergency landing on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013 at Takamatsu airport in Takamatsu, western Japan. What makes them burn so hot and fast is the electrolytes in the cells are very flammable and they produce oxygen when they burn. So when they catch fire, they usually burn until their fuel is gone. (AP Photo) | Zoom
Boeing knows all too well about the dangers of the lithium-ion batteries that forced the grounding of its Dreamliner fleet last week. A 787 prototype blew-up during testing in 2006.

Boeing was testing a prototype charging system at the Securaplane Technologies plant in Tucson. A large lithium-ion battery was hooked-up to the system when it exploded. Several workers tried to put-out the flames with fire extinguishers, but the fire was too hot.

The Seattle Times reports the fire burned at 1,200 degrees, and it couldn't be put out, even with the army of firefighters that responded. The fire burned the entire 10,000 square foot building to the ground, costing the company millions of dollars.

The cause of the fire was never determined, but human error and a bad battery were among the possibilities. Boeing believes the fire was caused by an improper testing setup.

The lithium ion batteries are used to start the main engines on the Dreamliner and power backup systems.

What makes them burn so hot and fast is the electrolytes in the cells are very flammable and they produce oxygen when they burn. So when they catch fire, they usually burn until their fuel is gone.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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  • fartforce1 wrote...
    The fuel is volitile also. Geesh! Thats why they test.
    January 24, 2013 7:22 am
    every part of the 787 is tested doen to the screws that hold the no smoking signs in place.
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  • Grumpy1963 wrote...
    787 Battery
    January 24, 2013 10:59 am
    Chris, The 787 Main battery is not used to start the engines, it is used as a standby power source if electrical power is lost in-flight. It is also used on the ground to power systems when towing or hooking up ground power. The APU battery is only used to start the APU if ground power or engine generator power is not available. The batteries are not connected to the power busses in-flight unles required.
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