Faculty of Engineering
Research project description
Deflagration risks in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) pose a significant hazard as thermal runaway vent gas builds up inside an enclosure. The resulting deflagration wave can cause significant overpressure, damaging the BESS enclosure, adjacent enclosures, and endangering nearby personnel & first responders. Flame acceleration in the event of ignition can greatly enhance the severity of the pressure wave. This project will utilize high-speed imaging, lasers and instruments to evaluate explosion risk in BESS facilities. A reduced-scale enclosure with optical accessibility will be developed, with explosions simulated by recreating the gas mixtures found from thermal runaway vent gas measurements. Flame acceleration will be induced to generate turbulence by incorporating obstacles into the enclosure that are representative of battery racks in BESS enclosures. The results of this work will help inform future BESS enclosure design and gas venting strategies.
Fields of research
- Fire safety engineering
- Explosions
- Electrochemistry
- Experimental fluid mechanics
Qualifications and ideal student profile
Prospective graduate student researchers must meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements for the programs connected to this opportunity. Visit the program pages using the links on this page to learn more about minimum admission requirements. In addition to minimum requirements, the research supervisor is looking for the following qualifications and student profile.
- A Bachelor’s (MASc position) or Master’s (PhD position) degree (or equivalent) in fire engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, applied physics, or a related field
- A strong background in experimental methods and thermofluids
- Practical experience with experimental design and with machining, CAD, and instrumentation
- Experience with optical diagnostic techniques including laser-based measurement methods will be highly regarded
- Programming skills using Matlab, Python and Labview
- Strong communication skills, report writing skills, and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
Faculty researcher and supervisor
- Vinny Gupta
Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
View faculty profile →
Fire Research and Safety Website →
Graduate programs connected to this project
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering - Master of Applied Science (MASc)
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (Nanotechnology) - Master of Applied Science (MASc)
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering (Nanotechnology) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Chemical Engineering - Master of Applied Science (MASc)
- Chemical Engineering (Nanotechnology) - Master of Applied Science (MASc)
- Chemical Engineering (Water) - Master of Applied Science (MASc)
- Chemical Engineering - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Chemical Engineering (Nanotechnology) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Chemical Engineering (Water) - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Important dates
Deflagration risk in BESS Enclosures is accepting expressions of interest for intake in the spring 2026, fall 2026, and winter 2027 terms.