ERIC TAN

AVIATION SAFETY INSPECTOR (DANGEROUS GOODS)

REGULATIONS ON THE TRANSPORT OF

LITHIUM BATTERIES BY AIR

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SCOPE OF PRESENTATION

• Introduction

• How a lithium ion battery works

• What are the hazards of lithium batteries

• Recent developments of the regulations on the transport of

lithium batteries by air

• Requirements in the Carriage of Lithium Batteries

- in Cargo Consignments

- in Postal Mail

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INTRODUCTION

First introduced for commercial use by Sony in 1991

Advantages • Ability to retain charge over more cycles without capacity loss• Greater energy density• Lower self-discharge compared to Ni-Cad and NiMH• Low maintenance – no periodic discharge is needed(no

memory effect)

Disadvantages• Must be protected from short-circuit / accidental activation• Requires circuitry protection to prevent overcharge / discharge• Restrictions when transporting by air• Effects of thermal runaway are challenging to mitigate

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INTRODUCTION

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Lithium Metal Batteries

• Lithium Metal Batteries (Li-Mn) are generally non-rechargeable and are made

up of metallic lithium. Through metal lithium corrosion or oxidation, produce

electric energy.

• They are widely used in watches, cameras, calculators, high density flashlights,

INTRODUCTION

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Lithium Ion Batteries

• Lithium Ion Batteries (Li-ion) are rechargeable batteries that uses lithium ion as

its anode.

• They are widely used in electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops,

tablets, digital cameras, electronic cigarettes, cordless drills, electronic

wheelchairs and hoverboards

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HOW A LITHIUM ION BATTERY WORKS

- During discharge and

charging, lithium ions carry

the current from the

negative (Anode) to the

positive (Cathode)

electrode and vice-versa

respectively through a

separator.

- Separator is to provide a

physical barrier between

anode and cathode.

• Lithium content in a battery, when in contact with

moisture in the air may react vigorously, generating

extreme heat and may cause a fire.

• Produce toxic fumes

• When the increase in temperature is uncontrolled, the

cell goes into thermal runaway, igniting adjacent cells in

a chain reaction.

• What is Thermal Runaway?

� Thermal Runaway is an exothermic reactions that causes uncontrolled increase in the temperature.

� In lithium battery, thermal runaway occur when the heating rate exceed the dissipation rate

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WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF LITHIUM BATTERIES

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WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF LITHIUM BATTERIES

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WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS OF LITHIUM BATTERIES

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGULATIONS

• ICAO bans the carriage of lithium-ion batteries as cargo on

passenger aircraft.

• ICAO restricts the lithium ion batteries shipped as cargo to

not more than 30% state of charge

Apr 2016

• ICAO recommends that hoverboards be carried as carry-on

baggage.

• Carriage as cargo by air must be assigned to UN3171Jan 2016

• ICAO prohibits passengers and crew from carrying e-

cigarettes in checked baggage.Jun 2015

• ICAO bans carriage of lithium metal batteries as cargo on

passenger aircraftJan 2015

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Lithium batteries transported as cargo must comply with stringent

packaging, labelling, marking and documentation requirements

LITHIUM BATTERIES - CARGO

CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES AS CARGO

UN No. Proper Shipping NamePacking

Instructions

UN3480 Lithium ion batteries 965

UN3481 Lithium ion batteries packed with equipment 966

UN3481 Lithium ion batteries contained in equipment 967

UN3090 Lithium metal batteries 968

UN3091 Lithium metal batteries packed with equipment 969

UN3091 Lithium metal batteries contain in equipment 970

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CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES AS CARGO

CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES AS CARGO

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CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES AS CARGO

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CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES AS CARGO

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CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES AS CARGO

Other consideration:

• Prototype lithium cells or batteries may be transported with

prior approval from State of Origin under Special Provision

A88.

• Batteries having a mass exceeding 35kg may be

transported on cargo aircraft with prior approval from State

of Origin under Special Provision A99.

• Lithium metal or lithium ion batteries may be transported

as cargo on passenger aircraft with exemption from States

concerned under Special Provision A201.

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CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES AS CARGO

Other consideration:

• Defective or waste batteries are forbidden for transport by

air (Special Provision 154).

• Each cell or battery must be of the type proven to meet the

requirements of UN Manual of Test and Criteria Part III

Sub-Section 38.3.

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TESTING OF LITHIUM CELLS AND BATTERIES

NO. TEST DESCRIPTION

T.1 Altitude Simulation Simulates air transport under low-pressure

conditions

T.2 Thermal Test Assess seal integrity and electrical connections

T.3 Vibration Simulates vibration during transport

T.4 Shock Simulates possible impact during transport

T.5 External short circuit Simulates an external short circuit

T.6 Impact Simulates an impact

T.7 Overcharge Evaluates the ability of a rechargeable battery to

withstand an overcharge condition

T.8 Forced discharge Ability of a rechargeable cell to withstand a

forced discharge condition

Cells

T.1 to T.6 & T.8

Lithium Metal Batteries

T.1 to T.5Lithium Ion Batteries

T.1 to T.7

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CARRIAGE OF SMALL BATTERY-POWERED VEHICLE AS CARGO

AC DGR-9(0): Guidance for Carriage of Personnel Transportation

Devices Powered by Small Lithium Battery

• Include hover boards, self-balancing wheels and mini-segways

• Containing lithium batteries, must be assigned to UN3171-

Battery-Powered Vehicle, PI 952 when transported as cargo

• Batteries not contained in device, must be assigned to UN3480-

Lithium Ion Batteries, PI 965

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CARRIAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES CONTAINED IN EQUIPMENT FOR POSTAL MAIL

UN No. Proper Shipping NameNet Quantity Per

PackageLabels

UN3481Lithium ion batteries

contained in equipment

Not more than 4 cells or

2 batteries meeting

Section II requirements

of PI 967

Not Required

UN3091Lithium metal batteries

contain in equipment

Not more than 4 cells or

2 batteries meeting

Section II requirements

of PI 970

Not Required

• A designated postal operator (public postal operator) may offer lithium batteriescontained in equipment in postal mail subject to prior approval from CAAS.

• Singapore Post Limited is the only public postal operator in Singapore and hadbeen approved by CAAS to offer lithium batteries contained in equipment in postalmail for transport by air.

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Thank You

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