The poster “Challenges of a Comprehensive Rapid Cell Testing Procedure for Large Industrial Battery Systems” is based on an extensive literature review. It highlights the importance of incoming goods inspection of lithium-ion cells for railway applications and summarizes the current state of the art. Furthermore, it discusses the objectives of incoming inspection, and the types of cell anomalies that need to be detected.
The use of battery systems in railway applications, combined with customer-specific requirements, leads to significant differences between railway batteries and those used in other sectors, such as the automotive industry. Railway battery systems are characterized by high variability in system configurations, dimensions, and structural design. A notable characteristic is the predominant use of lithium-ion cells, which are often arranged in parallel configurations. This increases the potential risks associated with the use of anomalous cells and may pose threats to human safety, environmental integrity, and material assets.
To mitigate these risks, incoming goods inspection represents an important quality assurance measure. Its main objective is to identify deviations in cell properties and detect anomalous cells before integration into battery systems. However, incoming inspection of lithium-ion cells is only rarely addressed in the scientific literature, as existing studies mainly focus on quality control at the cell manufacturer or on general cell characterization, while specific industrial inspection strategies are typically not disclosed.
Particular attention in this poster is given to the potential cell anomalies that should be detected during incoming inspection. These anomalies are systematically assessed by an expert panel with regard to their relevance and potential impact on railway battery applications. Based on this evaluation, the key challenges for the development of a comprehensive and rapid incoming inspection procedure are analyzed and highlighted.