Full Circle Lithium Corp.(FCL), a U.S.-based developer of lithium-ion battery firefighting agents, announced the successful testing of its proprietary FCL-X™ fire suppression agent.
As reported by Full Circle Lithium, the demonstration, organized by distributor AEST Fire & Safety, involved extinguishing controlled lithium-ion battery fires on two electric vehicles in Jefferson, Troup, and Harris counties, Georgia.
The trials utilized FCL-X Pro™, a concentrate developed to mix easily with fire engine water tanks, providing a manageable format for firefighters.
According to David Laviner, Founder & President of AEST: “FCL-X™, a proprietary product under patent application, is the first and only product in the world that we are aware of to truly extinguish lithium-ion battery fires, from small to large EV batteries.”
The first controlled burn involved a Nissan Leaf with a 40-kWh battery, ignited at 50% charge.
Once fully engulfed in flames, the fire was tackled first with an extinguisher, followed by a 30-gpm pressure hose, which brought the fire under control in under five minutes.
The amount of FCL-X™ used was notably efficient, with less than 250 gallons required to extinguish the fire while limiting interior damage, per the FCL report.
The second test featured a Kia EV9 with a 77-kWh battery ignited at 95% charge.
A high-pressure nozzle delivering 30 gpm was used to tackle this fire, which reached temperatures of up to 1,200°F.
The FCL-X™ agent reduced the temperature to between 120°F and 150°F within six minutes, using approximately 350 gallons.
Damage to the car’s interior was minimized, demonstrating the product’s potential to mitigate fire impacts on EV structures.
According to FCL, traditional methods to control lithium-ion fires in EVs can involve up to 40,000 gallons of water, with extinguishment sometimes taking hours.
By contrast, FCL-X™ demonstrated significantly faster containment with a much lower volume of agent.
The product could provide a more resource-efficient approach to managing these challenging fires.
Carlos Vicens, CEO of FCL, emphasized the potential of FCL-X™: “We are on the verge of something transformative for the fire and safety industry.”
The comparative success of FCL-X™ in these controlled burns has drawn attention to its utility for fire departments facing EV fire incidents, reducing the likelihood of reignition.
Full Circle Lithium also provided operational updates.
Following Hurricane Helene and Milton, the company’s Nahunta plant resumed normal operations after minor disruptions.
The plant was not affected in terms of infrastructure, aside from brief closure and reopening activities due to power outages.
Additionally, FCL confirmed it has shifted resources exclusively to its FCL-X™ fire suppression operations, pausing other lithium recycling and processing projects.
Recent management changes were also announced, with Thomas Currin and William Bourcier no longer with the company.
FCL extended its best wishes to them in their future roles.
Full Circle Lithium Corp.
demonstrated the effectiveness of its FCL-X™ fire suppression agent in controlled EV fire tests in Georgia, conducted with AEST Fire & Safety and local firefighters.
The trials involved a Nissan Leaf and Kia EV9, successfully extinguished using minimal FCL-X™ quantities, showcasing the product’s capability to address high-temperature lithium-ion battery fires quickly.
The demonstrations suggested that FCL-X™ could significantly reduce resource demands compared to traditional methods, which often require thousands of gallons of water and extended firefighting times.
Additionally, FCL announced its operational status following recent hurricanes, stating that its Nahunta plant has resumed normal activities.
The company also confirmed a strategic focus on its firefighting products, with recent personnel changes marking its transition.
