HOUSTON — A 53-foot intermodal container aboard a Union Pacific train caught fire and exploded April 23 just north of downtown Houston. Local media reported that the container was carrying lithium-ion batteries in a train from the port of New ...
http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/04/28-lithium-ion-batteries-cause-fire-and-explosion-aboard-up-train
Brian Schmidt, Editor, Classic Trains magazine
Really? Wow
23 17 46 11
If I'm not mistaken, a key detail is missing from many news 'coverages' of this story: these were recycled Li-ion batteries, with who knows what damage and impromptu shorting opportunities.
As battery chemistry heads more and more toward the energy density of gasoline, we shouldn't be surprised to begin to see gasoline-fire levels of energy release in incidents and accidents.
Gasoline fires at least require a source of oxygen (or F2, Cl2, ClF3...) to keep burning - battery fires can produce heat even without oxygen. About the only thing worse would be solid rocket propellant and that stuff is much less likely to spontaneously start burning.
I'd rather deal with a spent nuclear fuel cask than a container full of recycled Li-ion batteries.
Perhaps recycled lithium batteries should be reclassified as explosive?
Johnny
They're more like the material used in oxygen generators as in the stuff that brought down an airliner over Florida about 20 years ago. Energetic material may be a better name.
I just checked my copy of the hazardous materials table and all lithium batteries are classified as class 9 Miscellaneous.
A better classification might be class 4.2 - Spontaneously combustible materials - pyrophoric or self-heating materials which lithium batteries appear to be.
caldreamer I just checked my copy of the hazardous materials table and all lithium batteries are classified as class 9 Miscellaneous. A better classification might be class 4.2 - Spontaneously combustible materials - pyrophoric or self-heating materials which lithium batteries appear to be.
Our copy is not easily available right now but that does appear close. As we know airlines have jumped ahead of the Haz Mat book and virtually banned them. Think motorized skate boards.
In the meantime just throwing LI-ION batteries into the recycle bin appears foolish. Our belief is that they should be packed same way new batteries are packed not hap-hazzard.
blue streak 1 caldreamer I just checked my copy of the hazardous materials table and all lithium batteries are classified as class 9 Miscellaneous. A better classification might be class 4.2 - Spontaneously combustible materials - pyrophoric or self-heating materials which lithium batteries appear to be. Our copy is not easily available right now but that does appear close. As we know airlines have jumped ahead of the Haz Mat book and virtually banned them. Think motorized skate boards. In the meantime just throwing LI-ION batteries into the recycle bin appears foolish. Our belief is that they should be packed same way new batteries are packed not hap-hazzard.
Hey, I've got an idea! (Oh my God, NOW what!) they all said!
If they're such flamers how about recycled lithium-ion batteries as an alternative steam locomotive fuel source? Sure, just toss a bunch of 'em in the firebox and you're ready to go! Keeps 'em out of landfills too! Steam tourist railroads could set themselves up as battery recycling centers and get the fuel for free!
And edblysard, LOVE your updated avatar! Anyone tell you you're a dead-ringer for that gallant soldier and Christian gentleman General Robert E. Lee? You should walk into a Civil War re-enactment and see what kind of reaction you get!
Firelock76If they're such flamers how about recycled lithium-ion batteries as an alternative steam locomotive fuel source? Sure, just toss a bunch of 'em in the firebox and you're ready to go!
Following that logic, why not eliminate the tiresome steps needed to ignite the things, and go straight to IRFNA and asymmetrical hydrazine as an alternative steam locomotive fuel source. Probably comparable toxicity in the exhaust and no need to deal with those annoying leftover half-melted casings.
edblysard Really? Wow Said Ed ! "Big badda boom" Posted by edblysard on Monday, April 24, 2017 5:51 PM https://www.click2houston.com/news/train-catches-fire-in-ne-houston "the old Hardy Street yards and round house were, just east of the old SP Grand Central."
Said Ed !
https://www.click2houston.com/news/train-catches-fire-in-ne-houston
"the old Hardy Street yards and round house were, just east of the old SP Grand Central."
Sometimes, It makes you wonder WHO is paying attention?
RMEFollowing that logic, why not eliminate the tiresome steps needed to ignite the things, and go straight to IRFNA and asymmetrical hydrazine as an alternative steam locomotive fuel source.
In other news, UP has recently announced that the 4014 steam engine will be sponsored by Samsung and repowered by recycled Note 7 batteries ....
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Hydrazine? Isn't that the stuff Dr. McCoy accidentally injected himself with and went psycho on that great classic "Star Trek" episode "City On The Edge Of Forever?"
One of the best, if not THE best episode ever!
Oh, 'scuse me, that was cordrazine. As Emily Litella used to say, "Never mind!"
1967- Written by Harlan Ellison! Starring a very young Joan Collins.
Famous for it's last line : Kirk says, exasperated and slowly, "Lets get the hell out of here"
Superbly written, haunting scenes. Have it on my now antique laser disc collection. Few these days even know what they are. The player itself starts up like a Turbotrain. Love it.
blue streak 1 caldreamer I just checked my copy of the hazardous materials table and all lithium batteries are classified as class 9 Miscellaneous. A better classification might be class 4.2 - Spontaneously combustible materials - pyrophoric or self-heating materials which lithium batteries appear to be. Our copy is not easily available right now but that does appear close. As we know airlines have jumped ahead of the Haz Mat book and virtually banned them. Think motorized skate boardboards. ~snip~
Our copy is not easily available right now but that does appear close. As we know airlines have jumped ahead of the Haz Mat book and virtually banned them. Think motorized skate boardboards.
~snip~
First off, your statement about the airlines is not quite correct...motorized skateboards are fine, hoverboards(which have been known to catch fire) are forbidden. Also, it's not the airlines that have rules against li-ion batteries, it's the FAA, there are specific regulations as to what kind and how many are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage, this information is available from the FAA and airlines(and probably from the TSA as well). The FAA restrictions are based on watt hour output and that is how they're classified, it also mentions how they're transported and that they need to be kept from shorting out.
There's also the fact that Li-ion batteries come in many different forms, with the lithium being combined with among other things:
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