DSS CQES2308000357BA UL9540Aı ¿© - 300ah

Test Report
For
ANSI/CAN/UL9540A
Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire
Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems
[Cell Level]
Report Number: CQES230800035701
Date of issue: 2023-10-09
Total number of pages: 28
Test object / Model: 72173204
Applicant’s name: Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technology Co., Ltd

No.3, Wanxin First Street, Wanqingsha Town, Nansha
Address:
District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 1 of 28

Report Number: CQES230800035701
Manufacturer: Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technology Co., Ltd
No.3, Wanxin First Street, Wanqingsha Town, Nansha District, Guangzhou,
Address:
Guangdong, China
Factory： Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technology Co., Ltd
No.3, Wanxin First Street, Wanqingsha Town, Nansha District, Guangzhou,
Address:
Guangdong, China
Test object / Model: 72173204
ANSI/CAN/UL9540A:2019 Test Method for Evaluating Thermal Runaway Fire
Test specifications: Propagation in Battery Energy Storage Systems
Fourth Edition, Dated November 12, 2019
Date of receipt: 2023-08-15
Sample No.: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5
Test Period: 2023-08-18 to 2023-09-22
Issuing Laboratory: SGS-CEC New Energy Technology (Chongqing) Co., Ltd.

Affiliate No. 6, No. 2 Fuyun Road, Shuangfu Street, Jiangjin District,
Address:
Chongqing, China (No.1 Laboratory Building, Chongqing Energy College)
SGS-CEC New Energy Technology (Chongqing) Co., Ltd.
Testing location:
Affiliate No. 6, No. 2 Fuyun Road, Shuangfu Street, Jiangjin District,
Chongqing, China (No.1 Laboratory Building, Chongqing Energy College)
Test Result: Refer to summary of test results page for details.
Remark: Test results reported relate only to the items being tested.
Strictly Confidential
Private and Confidential

Confidential level:
Public
Tested by / Witness by Reviewed by
Kyle Tian Ryan Hu

Project Engineer Report Reviewer

[Summary of Test results]
Cell Design: 72173204

Thermal Runaway Methodology: External heating
Cell Surface Temperature at Gas 127.6°C
venting:
Cell Surface Temperature at Thermal 171.7°C
Runaway:
Cell Level Test Total Venting Gas Volume: 130.0 L (STP)
Cell model: 72173204 Gas Composition: Mainly Hydrocarbon, H2, CO, CO2
Report No: Lower Flammability Limit: 7.17 Vol% at ambient temperature,
CQES230800035701 6.37 Vol% at 127.6°C
Burning Velocity: 29.3 cm/s
Pmax: 857 kPa
Thermal Runaway was Induced in the Induced
Cell or not:
Cell Vent Gas is Flammable or not in Flammable
Air:
Remark: This report only evaluated cell level test which is listed inside the dotted box.

[Test object Description]
Table 1: Description of cell
Model: 72173204
Manufacturer: Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technology Co., Ltd
Nominal capacity: 300 Ah
Nominal voltage: 3.2 V
Chemistry: Lithium-ion, LiFePO4
Maximum charge power: 480 W
Maximum discharge power: 480 W
Maximum charge voltage: 3.85 V
Cut-off Voltage: 2.5 V (＞0°C)
2.0 V (≤0°C)
Charge temperature range: 0 to 55 °C
Discharge temperature range: -20 to 55 °C
External dimensions: L×W×H = (71.7±0.5) mm × (174.6±0.5) mm × (207.1±0.6) mm
Weight: 5.7±0.3 kg
UL 1973 compliant: Yes / No N/A
Figure 1. View of cell
[Description of thermal runaway methodology]

Pre-condition of test sample
Cell samples shall be conditioned, prior to testing, through charge and discharge cycles for a minimum of 2
cycles using a manufacturer specified methodology to verify that the cells are functional. Each cycle shall be
defined as a charge to 100% SOC and then to an end of discharge voltage (EODV) specified by the cell
manufacturer. During conditioning a relationship between open circuit voltage and SOC shall be determined
through measurement of voltage and SOC. During conditioning the ambient temperature shall be maintained
in accordance with the higher of 25 ±5°C or the operating temperature in the cell manufacturer's
specifications.
The cells to be tested shall be charged to 100% SOC and allowed to stabilize for a minimum of 1 h and a
maximum of 8 h before the start of the test.
Cells with flexible laminate casings shall be constrained during the test in the manner that simulates the
constraint in the BESS module to prevent excessive swelling during the test.
Cell level Test method description
Ambient indoor laboratory conditions shall be 25 ±5°C (77 ±9°F) and 50 ±25% RH at the initiation of the test.
The propensity of the cell to exhibit thermal runaway shall be demonstrated by heating the cell with
externally applied flexible film heaters that cover as much of the cell case as possible without covering
safety features or terminals, for consistent heating of the internal cell electrode assembly. A surface heating
rate of 4°C (7.2°F) to 7°C (12.6°F) per minute shall be applied to the cell. Determination of a maximum
surface temperature end point criteria shall be developed based upon a review of cell design and chemistry.
Before beginning the test, a surface temperature shall be determined to approximate the temperature at
which internal short circuiting within the cell will occur that could lead to a thermal runaway condition. For Li-
ion cells, the surface temperature hold point shall be between 5°C (9°F) and 15°C (27°F) greater than the
melting temperature of the cell separator material as determined from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
data of the separator in accordance with UL 2591 (UL 746A). Thermal runaway may occur before this hold
point temperature range is reached. However, if thermal runaway is not achieved at this hold point
temperature after a period of 4 h, the cell heating rate of 4°C (7.2°F) to 7°C (12.6°F) per minute shall be
reestablished until thermal runaway occurs or it is demonstrated that thermal runaway is not achievable by
heating.
Thermal runaway methodology for cell level test:

The propensity of the cell to exhibit thermal runaway be demonstrated by heating the cell with externally
applied heaters. With a surface heating rate of 4oC (7.2oF) to 7oC (12.6oF) per minute until cell thermal
runaway occurs.
UL’s CRD (dated 2020/05/20) was considered, shown as below:
Exception: If the separator information is not available or at the manufacturer’s discretion, the thermal ramp
can be conducted continuously without a hold point until thermal runaway.
If the cell is susceptible to thermal runaway by external heating, the cell shall be heated until thermal
runaway has occurred. If the cell is not susceptible to thermal runaway by heating with a film heater, another
method shall be employed. If using another external heating method, the temperature ramp and maximum
surface temperature shall be used.
The cell's exterior surface temperature shall be measured continuously through the cell test with a
thermocouple junction formed from 24-gauge or smaller, Type-K thermocouple wire. The location(s) of
thermocouple (s) shall be determined during a construction review. At least one thermocouple shall be
located below the heater film at the center of the cell surface (if the cell is prismatic this would be the center
of the wider side of the cell) and one near the positive cell terminals.

The temperature at which the cell case vents due to internal pressure rise shall be documented. The
thermocouple located below the heater film at the center of the cell surface is used for this measurement. If
using the other cell abuse methods, the thermocouples would be located at the same locations on the cells.
The temperature at the onset of thermal runaway shall be documented. Onset of thermal runaway shall be
determined by the point at which the rate of change of the surface temperature of the cell exceeds that of
the externally applied heat input if utilizing the external heater method. Thermal runaway is a condition
where there is heating of the cell in an uncontrolled manner and should not be confused with overheating
leading to venting only. Cell venting may occur first, but it is necessary to continue heating when using the
heater method until thermal runaway occurs. With other stress methods, it will be necessary to continue
applying the stress such as mechanical or electrical stress until onset of thermal runaway occurs. If there is
a transitory temperature dip during the cell venting, the heat input may need to be increased to bring it back
to the heating rate range.
When using methods other than the heater method, the stresses (i.e. electrical or mechanical) shall be
applied to the cell until thermal runaway occurs. Thermal runaway is considered to have occurred,
regardless of the method of stress chosen, when there is a rapid increase in temperature and should not be
confused with simple overheating leading to venting.
If the cell exhibits thermal runaway behavior (using any method), 3 additional samples shall be tested using
the same method and exhibit thermal runaway to demonstrate repeatability. The vent temperature and
thermal runaway onset temperatures shall be averaged over the tested samples (excluding the gas vent
capture sample). This average temperature shall be used to establish the temperature limits for the other
test levels of this standard.
Cell vent gas composition test
Cell vent gas shall be generated and captured by forcing a cell into thermal runaway with the methodology
developed in above, inside a pressure vessel, which is large enough to accommodate cells, but not so large
as to influence measurement of the gas composition. An 82-L (21.7-gal) pressure vessel is recommended
for this purpose for most sizes of commercially available cells. The test shall be initiated with an initial
condition of atmospheric pressure and less than 1% oxygen by volume. The initial atmospheric conditions
prior to testing shall be noted.
Cell vent gas composition shall be determined using Gas Chromatography (GC) with detection techniques
for quantifying component gases or equivalent gas analysis techniques, to identify hydrocarbon gases that
represent an ignition or explosion hazard as well as other additional gases requested to be measured.
Hydrogen gas shall be measured with a sensor capable of measuring in excess of 30% by volume. The
initial atmospheric conditions prior to testing shall be noted.
Upon determination of the cell vent gas composition, the lower flammability limit of the cell vent gas shall be
determined on samples of the synthetically replicated gas mixture in accordance with ASTM E918, testing at
both ambient and cell vent temperatures.
The synthetically replicated gas mixture shall be used to determine gas burning velocity in accordance with
the Method of Test for Burning Velocity Measurement of Flammable Gases Annex in ISO 817.
The synthetically replicated gas mixture shall be used to determine Pmax in accordance with EN 15967.

Test configuration description
Thermal runaway initiation method used for initiating thermal runaway

Initiation method:
External heating method was used for initiating thermal runaway. The input power of the heaters is
controlled to achieve a surface heating rate of 4oC (7.2oF) to 7oC (12.6oF) per minute until cell thermal
runaway occurred.
Heaters rated 430W, 220V.
Manner used or not:
No
Yes Manner information: dimensions= 250 mm* 220 mm*12 mm, material= Aluminium.
Other description :
Figure 2a. View of external heater
T1: Center of cell large surface A, between cell

and Heater (H1)
T2: Center of cell large surface B, between cell
and Heater (H2)
T3: Positive terminal surface of cell
T4: Negative terminal surface of cell
T5: Near vent valve of cell
T6: Center of cell side face 1, near positive
terminal
T7: Center of cell side face 2, near negative
terminal
T8: Ambient temperature
Figure 2b. Schematic illustration of thermocouple

locations

[Description of test results]
Charge and discharge data
Charge and discharge parameters (provided by manufacturer):
Charge Discharge
Charge power (W) 480 Discharge power (W) 480
Max. charge voltage (V) 3.65 Cut-off voltage (V) 2.5
Cut-off charge current (A) --
Figure 3a. Charge/discharge data for cell M1
Figure 3b. Charge/discharge data for cell M2

Figure 3c. Charge/discharge data for cell M3
Figure 3d. Charge/discharge data for cell M4

Figure 3e. Charge/discharge data for cell M5

Test result of cell M1
Table 2. Thermocouple placement of cell M1

Thermocouple ID Description of location Remark
T1 Center of cell front face, between cell and Heater 1 --
T2 Center of cell rear face, between cell and Heater 2 --
T3 Positive terminal surface of cell --
T4 Negative terminal surface of cell --
T5 Near valve of cell --
T6 Center of cell side surface 1, near positive terminal --
T7 Center of cell side surface 2, near negative terminal --
T8 Ambient temperature --
Thermocouple information:
Type K, 24AWG
Table 3. Overview of test timeline and key events of cell M1

Time Photo
Relative Time Description/ Measured
(HH: MM: Event ID Event Referen
(HH: MM: SS) Temperature
SS) ce
08-08
00:00:00 E1 Test Start -- --
21:50:25
08-08 Heaters
00:00:29 E2 -- --
21:50:54 energized
08-08 Figure
00:35:47 E3 Cell venting Gas venting observed.
22:26:12 4c
Large amount of venting
Onset of gas was observed, and
08-08 Figure
00:47:45 E4 thermal temperature of cell
22:38:10 4d
Runaway increased rapidly. Heaters
de-energized.
08-09
04:00:00 E5 Test termination -- --
01:50:25
Test Start Time: 2023-08-08 21:50:25

Figure 4a. View 01 of cell M1 before test Figure 4b. View 02 of cell M1 before test
Figure 4c. View of cell M1 during test_E3 Figure 4d. View of cell M1 during test_E4
Figure 4e. View 01 of cell M1 after test Figure 4f. View 02 of cell M1 after test

Figure 5. Temperature and voltage measured on cell M1 during test

Type K, 24AWG

Time
Relative Time Description/ Measured Photo
(HH: MM: Event ID Event
(HH: MM: SS) Temperature Reference
SS)
17:23:56 00:00:00 E1 Test Start -- --
Heaters
17:25:11 00:01:15 E2 -- --
energized
17:59:01 00:35:05 E3 Cell venting Gas venting observed. Figure 6c
18:18:05 00:54:09 E4 thermal temperature of cell Figure 6d
de-energized.
21:23:56 04:00:00 E5 Test termination -- --
Test Start Time: 2023-08-17 17:23:56



T5 -- --
T7 -- --
Type K, 24AWG
Table 7. Overview of test timeline and key events

Time
SS)
10:58:04 00:00:00 E1 Test Start -- --
Heaters
10:58:55 00:00:51 E2 -- --
energized
11:34:30 00:36:26 E3 Cell venting Gas venting observed. Figure 8c
11:53:28 00:55:24 E4 thermal temperature of cell Figure 8d
de-energized.
Test Start Time: 2023-08-18 10:58:04


Table 8. Thermocouple placement of cell 4#

Thermocouple information: Type K, 24AWG

Time
SS)
16:57:52 00:00:00 E1 Test Start -- --
Heaters
16:57:56 00:00:04 E2 -- --
energized
Figure
17:32:33 00:34:41 E3 Cell venting Gas venting observed.
10c
Figure
17:49:48 00:51:56 E4 thermal temperature of cell
10d
de-energized.
Test Start Time: 2023-08-18 16:57:52



T7 -- --
Type K, 24AWG

Time
SS)
09:50:12 00:00:00 E1 Test Start -- --
Heaters
09:50:16 00:00:04 E2 -- --
energized
Onset of
10:46:03 00:55:51 E3 thermal Heaters de-energized. --
Runaway
Test Start Time: 2023-08-10 09:50:12

Figure 12c. View 01 of cell M5 after test Figure 12d. View 02 of cell M5 after test

Summary of test results
Description: N/A
Table 12. Summary of test results
Open Location of
Surface
circuit Surface temperature
Weight Weight temperature
Sample voltage Weight temperature at measured at
before test after test at the onset
No. before loss (g) cell venting the onset of
(g) (g) of thermal
test (°C) thermal
runaway (°C)
(Vdc) runaway
Center of
M1 3.329 5570 4330 1240 125.5 167.6 cell side
face*
Center of
M2 3.347 5580 4330 1250 132.0 158.8
cell side face
Center of
M3 3.352 5610 4320 1290 106.4 174.8 cell side
face*
Center of
M4 3.337 5580 4340 1240 146.6 185.4 cell side
face*
M5 3.341 5580 4390 1190 -- -- --
Average Surface Average Surface
temperature at cell temperature at the
venting (°C) onset of thermal
runaway (°C)
127.6 171.7
Supplementary information :
1. The average surface temperature was calculated based on Cell M1, Cell M2, Cell M3 and Cell M4.
2. Remark *: Center of cell side face, near positive terminal.

Cell vent gas generation and composition
Description : N/A
Figure 14. Pressure and O2 concentration within pressure vessel before test
Table 13: Gas composition during test
Gas Measured Chemical Formula Gas Type Measured (Vol%)

Hydrogen H2 Hydrogen 26.052
Carbon Dioxide CO2 -- 16.659
Nitrogen N2 -- 37.852
Carbon Monoxide CO -- 7.348
Methane CH4 -- 4.234
Acetylene C2H2 Hydrocarbon 0.178
Ethylene C2H4 Hydrocarbon 4.920
Ethane C2H6 Hydrocarbon 0.809
Propane C3H8 Hydrocarbon 0.196
Propylene C3H6 Hydrocarbon 0.624
Cyclopropane C3H6 Hydrocarbon 0.001
Propadiene C3H4 Hydrocarbon 0.003
Propyne C3H4 Hydrocarbon 0.004
Isobutane C4H10 Hydrocarbon 0.008
Butane C4H10 Hydrocarbon 0.069
2-Methylpropene C4H8 Hydrocarbon 0.035
N-Butene C4H8 Hydrocarbon 0.172
2-Butene C4H8 Hydrocarbon 0.100

Butylene C4H6 Hydrocarbon 0.004
1,3-Butadiene C4H6 Hydrocarbon 0.060
N-Pentane C5H12 Hydrocarbon 0.037
Isopentane C5H12 Hydrocarbon 0.003
Pentene C5H10 Hydrocarbon 0.229
3-Methyl-1-
C5H10 Hydrocarbon 0.008
Butene
2-Pentene C5H10 Hydrocarbon 0.021
2-Methyl-1-
C5H10 Hydrocarbon 0.003
Butene
2-Methyl-2-butene C5H10 Hydrocarbon 0.005
Isoprene C5H8 Hydrocarbon 0.003
-- C6+ Hydrocarbon 0.363
The initial atmospheric component in pressure vessel was mostly N2, which makes up more than 99% by
volume before test. After test, the proportion of N2 reduced to 37.852%, due to the gas generation from cell
venting.
Figure 15. GC-TCD Spectrum and GC-FID Spectrum for gas composition gathered during test

Synthetically replicated gas mixtures
Description : N/A
Table 14: Composition of synthetically replicated gas
Requested Synthesis
Gas Name Chemical Formula
Concentration (Vol%) Concentration (Vol%)
Hydrogen H2 41.920 42.013
Carbon Dioxide CO2 26.806 26.700
Carbon Monoxide CO 11.824 11.800
Methane CH4 6.813 6.820
Acetylene C2H2 0.287 0.286
Ethylene C2H4 7.916 7.880
Ethane C2H6 1.303 1.320
Propane C3H8 0.316 0.316
Propylene C3H6 1.003
1.020 (Propylene)
Cyclopropane C3H6 0.002
Propadiene C3H4 0.004
0.012 (Propyne)
Propyne C3H4 0.007
Isobutane C4H10 0.013
0.124 (Butane)
Butane C4H10 0.111
2-Methylpropene C4H8 0.056
N-Butene C4H8 0.276 0.510 (N-Butene)
2-Butene C4H8 0.161
Butylene C4H6 0.007
0.104 (1,3-Butadiene)
1,3-Butadiene C4H6 0.097
-- C5+ 0.494 0.502
-- C6+ 0.584 0.593
Remark*: Synthetically replicated gas contains no N2.

Burning velocity measurement of cell venting gas
Description : The burning velocity of the cell vent gas was determined on the synthetically replicated gas
mixture in accordance with ISO 817.
Table 15 : Burning velocity test result of cell vent gas
Sample Burning velocity (cm/s)

72173204-1# 29.3
Lower flammability limit of cell venting gas

Description : The LFL (Lower Flammability Limit) of the cell vent gas was determined on the synthetically
replicated gas mixture in accordance with ASTM E918, testing at both ambient and cell vent temperatures.
Table 16 : Lower flammability limit of cell vent gas
Sample LFL at ambient temperature (Vol%) LFL at 127.6°C (Vol%)

72173204-2# 7.17 6.37
Maximum explosion pressure of cell venting gas

Description : The Pmax (Maximum explosion pressure) of the cell vent gas was determined on the
synthetically replicated gas mixture in accordance with EN 15967.
Table 17 : Maximum explosion pressure test result of cell vent gas
Sample Maximum explosion pressure (kPa)

72173204-3# 857

NOTES TO THIS TEST REPORT
1. Copyright © 2021 SGS-CEC New Energy Technology (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
This publication may be produced in whole or in part for non-commercial purposes as long as SGS-
CEC is acknowledged as copyright owner and source of the material. SGS-CEC takes no
responsibility for and will not assume liability for damages resulting from the reader’s interpretation of
the reproduced material due to its placement and context.
2. According to the standard, instruction sheets and other texts required by the standard should be
written in the official language(s) of the country in which the product is to be sold. The applicant
should ensure that the product in future production fulfils the receptive standard requirements.
3. The components performed satisfactorily during testing and are considered to be suitable for use in
the sample tested.
- - - End of Report - - -

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Test Report

Report Number: CQES230800035701

Date of issue: 2023-10-09

Total number of pages: 28

Test object / Model: 72173204

Applicant’s name: Guangzhou Rongjie Energy Technology Co., Ltd

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 1 of 28

Sample No.: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5

Test Period: 2023-08-18 to 2023-09-22

Issuing Laboratory: SGS-CEC New Energy Technology (Chongqing) Co., Ltd.

Test Result: Refer to summary of test results page for details.

Private and Confidential

Tested by / Witness by Reviewed by

Kyle Tian Ryan Hu

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 2 of 28

Cell Design: 72173204

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 3 of 28

Figure 1. View of cell

[Description of thermal runaway methodology]

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 4 of 28

Cell level Test method description

Thermal runaway methodology for cell level test:

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 5 of 28

Cell vent gas composition test

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 6 of 28

Thermal runaway initiation method used for initiating thermal runaway

Figure 2a. View of external heater

T1: Center of cell large surface A, between cell

Figure 2b. Schematic illustration of thermocouple

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 7 of 28

Figure 3a. Charge/discharge data for cell M1

Figure 3b. Charge/discharge data for cell M2

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 8 of 28

Figure 3d. Charge/discharge data for cell M4

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 9 of 28

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 10 of 28

Table 2. Thermocouple placement of cell M1

T3 Positive terminal surface of cell --

T4 Negative terminal surface of cell --

T5 Near valve of cell --

T6 Center of cell side surface 1, near positive terminal --

T7 Center of cell side surface 2, near negative terminal --

Table 3. Overview of test timeline and key events of cell M1

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 11 of 28

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 12 of 28

Test result of cell M2

Table 4. Thermocouple placement of cell M2

T3 Positive terminal surface of cell --

T4 Negative terminal surface of cell --

T5 Near valve of cell --

T6 Center of cell side surface 1, near positive terminal --

T7 Center of cell side surface 2, near negative terminal --

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 13 of 28

Test Start Time: 2023-08-17 17:23:56

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 14 of 28

Figure 7. Temperature and voltage measured on cell M2 during test

Project No.: CQES2308000357BA TRF_UL 9540A Cell_V1.0 Page 15 of 28

Table 6. Thermocouple placement of cell M3

T3 Positive terminal surface of cell --