Lithium batteries have become the preferred energy source to power a wide variety of consumer goods ranging from mobile phones to children’s toys, to cars, and e-bikes. The increase in the demand for various types of lithium-batteries is due to the decline in demand for lead-acid batteries owing to EPA regulations on lead contamination and resulting environmental hazards, coupled with the regulations on lead-acid battery storage, disposal, and recycling. Lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), sometimes called lithium cobalt, accounted for the largest revenue share of over 30.0% in 2021. High demand for lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries in mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras are due to their high energy density and increased safety level.
Though widely used, most people are not aware that lithium batteries are dangerous goods that can pose a safety risk if not prepared in accordance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Dangerous and hazardous goods are items or substances that could pose risks to health, safety, or the environment. So, despite batteries being relatively safe, there are quite a few risks that make transporting lithium batteries dangerous. Some of the risks for shippers, freight forwarders, and airlines which can occur during transit are explosions, catching fire, leaking chemicals, and toxic chemicals.
In the past five years, there have been over seventy reported fires on container ships, which were caused by hazardous cargo, chemicals, and batteries. Strict regulations are used to control the air transport of batteries since an onboard lithium fire caused the fatal crash of a UPS Flight in 2010. Regulations governing the transport of dangerous goods are based on the UN classification system and generally structured by the mode of transport: with IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) for air; the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code for sea; and the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR). The UN uses a classification system in which each dangerous substance or article is assigned to one of nine classes, depending on the nature of the danger it presents, which defines its hazard.
In this article, we outline potential TydenBrooks’ solutions that alert, track, and monitoring shipments for breaches, damage, and temperature deviations of lithium transported products.
Lithium Battery Shipment Risks
Whether it’s our car or computer, lithium batteries are used by people all over the globe for one reason or another. Some of the most common ways they’re transported include single packages, multiple palletized packages, or within the confines of a powered device or vehicle. Lithium batteries can be shipped using different modes of transportation, the most common within North America are by air and ground shipping.
Yet, lithium batteries are more frequently shipped by ground, in both palletized and non-palletized forms. Ground shipments by trailer, container on a flat car, or within the confines of a delivery truck that make stops in residential areas all require monitoring to alert when breaches, damage, and temperature deviations take place. Lithium batteries are susceptible to extreme high temperatures as they run the risk of overheating.
This process is called thermal runaway. Once thermal runaway begins the internal temperature and pressure of a battery starts to rise. When thermal runaway occurs in one battery cell, it will spark a chain reaction of thermal runaway in the other battery cells near it. This can cause lithium batteries to explode or catch fire. Its risks and dangers like these that are the reason there are so many rules for transporting lithium batteries.
Monitoring and Breach Solutions
During the transport of lithium batteries, it’s important to audit and monitor the status of the shipment. Implementing rigorous cargo security and ‘live’ safety measures while transporting lithium batteries is best solved by preventative controls that include “active” tracking and monitoring. In transit, this means not only protecting the exterior doors of the transport, but also using multiple layers of tamper-evident security solutions which includes monitoring of cargo inside the trailer or container, and at the skid or carton level.
Indicators
First step, when transporting single-package or multiple palletized packages of lithium batteries, is to start with TydenBrooks impact, and temperature indicators. ShockWatch® 2 impact indicators are single-use, go/no-go devices that determine if fragile or high-value products have been dropped while in transit or in storage. The indicators are field-armable, tamperproof devices that turn bright red when an impact beyond a specific threshold has occurred. Each ShockWatch® 2 has a unique identifier to support traceability. Today’s modern temperature tracking solutions provides supply chain managers with the data and proof they need to get temperature-sensitive dangerous goods from point A to point B.
The WarmMark family of temperature indicators are single-use devices that provide accurate, irreversible evidence of any above temperature deviation allowing you to make smarter decisions for your lithium battery shipments. The WarmMark are ascending time-temperature indicators that alerts users of exposure to unacceptably high temperature conditions and the cumulative amount of time of the exposure.
Connected ‘live’ Devices
An additional layer of security involves deploying advanced tracking and monitoring cargo solutions. Our complete line of connected devices utilizes the tracking device or tags data with advanced analytics to monitor your shipments on our TrackSecure platform.
A connected GPS device like our TB-HGR4 or the TB-HGD4 supplies dangerous goods shippers with real-time visibility and alerts to automatically identify and track the location of your cargo and equipment.
Both solutions are available for use as a standalone device or in combination with our BLE Tyden Tags creating an expanded sensor network. The TydenTrackers monitor and report fluctuations or changes in temperature, light, moisture, movements, and shock impacts that your cargo may endure, as it moves through the supply chain. TydenBrooks’ TB-HGR4 is a reusable device designed for use in various supply chain and asset monitoring applications. This unit is rechargeable via Qi wireless charging and offers 40 days on a single charge at normal reporting rates. The popular TB-HGD4 is a non-rechargeable, single-use device which lasts up to 60 days.
Barrier Security Seals
If the desire is to create a physical barrier between the lithium batteries and the public, then your best options are barrier security seals which can be a bolt and/or a cable seal. The use of ISO 17712 high security bolt and cable seals on trailer, rail, and shipping containers restricts access to your cargo and must be removed with a cutting or removal tool.
High security cable seals, from our EZ Loc ,and the FlexSecure utilize our patented ball-bearing locking mechanism that forces the ball down into a locking chamber when the cable seal is locked. Conversely, ‘flat disc’ cable seal locking mechanisms are vulnerable to a compression attack. By utilizing a simple pair of pliers anyone can capture the disc allowing the cable to be pulled out and resealed without any visual tamper evidence. Avoid disc locking mechanisms at all costs. Both the Flex Secure and EZ Loc use a non-preformed security cable that frays when cut to prevent reinsertion and to show evidence of tampering.
Alternatively, bolts seals, such as the Snaptracker and Intermodal II are designed for cross-border and high-value state-to-state rail and trailer shipments. They are also regularly utilized for international container shipments. All our bolt seals meet or exceed the ISO 17712 standard and require bolt cutters for removal. Marked by high security lasers the ability to customize the bolt seals with 1D, 2D, and QR barcodes allows for unique company identifiers. This ensures their authenticity and chain-of-custody tracking. Our VuBolt seal also offers an option to color mix the bolt and the lock body which increases security by preventing 3D printing duplications.
Leading the Way, Securing the World
Whether your shipping lithium batteries or related dangerous goods, missing one breach or temperature deviation can have severe consequences to the public, environment, and the carrier. Automotive companies, chemical suppliers and manufacturers turn to TydenBrooks to ensure their products are properly protected and monitored.
For a free dangerous and hazardous goods consultation with our team of industry experts, please contact us at [email protected]. Order online at www.tydenbrooks.com or contact our customer service team @ 1-800-458-7235 (SEAL).
