First of all, I'm not an electrical engineer and limited in my ability to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of NiCad vs. NiMH vs. lithium batteries. I'll certainly agree that most of the issues with lithium-ion have been in the charging systems and not the battery itself. The problem is when a fault occurs and an overheat or charging malfunction creates a fire, we have one serious problem. In flight, it could easily be a catastrophe.

I think that Boeing engineers were trying to save weight as well as provide batteries with a quicker re-charge time and larger capacity in selecting lithium-ion. After all, this aircraft is not only an "electric aircraft", it takes that concept to a new level. Any engineers on the forum please correct me if I'm wrong. The bottom line is that the containment box, no mater how well designed probably will not completely contain a lithium fire and therefore an extinguishing agent must be developed that will actually extinguish a lithium fire in-flight. Until that can be demonstrated, there is a risk in operating the 787. Obviously the FAA felt the same way.

I fly RC aircraft and the lithium-polymer batteries are commonly used. I have seen a li-po battery fire and it's not a pretty sight. Keep in mind, this was in an RC aircraft.

Y'all be careful out there !

 

If weight, charge time and heavy duty cycle are not an issue then lead acid out performs them all. They, however, take proportionally much longer to charge, quickly fail if deep discharged and weigh 'a ton'.
I do not know how many pounds of Li-Ion batteries are part of the 787 design. Adding a couple of hundred of pounds for another technology would amount to just one more average male passenger.
Whatever Boeing chose as their option it is not just a matter of changing the batteries, all elements relating to the charging circuit and the monitoring thereof need to be changed as well.

 

If you want to be the worlds leading airline, you need to have the worlds leading aircraft.... -Jeff S.

 

AINSafety today (1/21/13) printed a report stating that since March 20, 2012, there have been 132 incidents of either an overheat or fire involving lithium-ion batteries in the U.S. Most of the reported incidents occurred in either a cargo aircraft (makes the freight dogs wag their tails) or with passenger personal devices. The JAL Dreamliner fire at BOS is the latest exception. That's a LOT of incidents in less than four months.

Y'All be careful.

 

So who wants to pick straws to tell him that the Concorde has been grounded for nearly 10 years?

 

Let's get the calculator out!

 

Sounds like the Dreamliner might be the junior new hire's 'choice' at CAL......

 

I had a friend read the article and do the math while another acquaintance who works for Price Waterhouse, also ran all of the numbers through their computers. Both agreed. Since March 20, 2012, there have been 132 incidents leading to either a serious overheat or a fire with lithium-ion batteries as per the report. By my calculations, that equates to 132 events in slightly over ten months.

Have some sake and chill out Mate.

 

Junior? If this keeps up, it's going to be as senior as it gets. Essentially get paid to hold a line that you don't have to work...

 

Has anyone seen the "update"?