In the RELIBRE research project, experts from industry and science are looking at how computed tomography can be used to analyse correlations between the use and ageing of battery cells. In particular, the project participants are hoping for advantages for second-life approaches.
The project name RELIBRE stands for “Re-use of battery cells: CT analysis of lithium-ion batteries to assess function- and safety-critical characteristics for the second life phase.” A particular focus of the project is on the interactions between the use of the batteries in the first life cycle and the observable changes through production and use. The project participants will then use statistical methods to analyse correlations in order to draw conclusions about the ageing processes and their causes.
“The service life of the battery cells used is limited, as the usage requirements can no longer be met at some point. However, for an application with lower requirements, aged batteries can still be used in a second life,” explains Prof Dr Stefan Bracke from the Chair of Reliability Engineering and Risk Analysis at the University of Wuppertal, who is leading the research project. In order to enable a so-called second-life application, however, it is necessary to record, assess and quantify the ageing due to the gradual reduction in the capacity of a battery. “In this way, conclusions can be drawn about the performance of the battery and safety-relevant aspects,” Bracke added.
Computed tomography makes it possible to examine the inside of battery cells using images without having to open the battery. This allows the initiators to ‘non-destructively visualise’ various changes inside the battery cell that have an influence on ageing. This allows a more precise examination of the ageing condition of the battery, which means that the second-life capability of a battery can be better assessed and the selection of an application scenario optimised.
Diondo GmbH is the project’s consortium leader. The project is being funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) with a total of around 140,000 euros.
