Nanofluid-filled heat pipes in managing the temperature of EV lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

This paper presents the numerical study on the usage of Al2O3 nanofluid-filled heat pipes in controlling the temperature of lithium-ion batteries, specifically for the application in powering the electric vehicle (EV). The heat pipes thermal management system (HPTMS) was modelled as a solid continuum body with high equivalent thermal conductivity. Thermal resistance network model was used to determine the equivalent thermal conductivity. The effect of heat inputs and the nanoparticle volume concentration on the performance of the HPTMS were studied. The simulation results were validated against previous experimental works and showed good agreement with each other. Results also indicate that by using 1.5%vol Al2O3 as the working fluid in the heat pipes, the battery surface temperature and the total thermal resistance can be reduced by as much as 4.44°C (7.28%) and 15%, respectively.

Research Progress of Nanofluid Heat Pipes in Automotive Lithium-ion Battery Heat Management Technology

“…Nasir et al [38] conducted an experimental and numerical study on the application of alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) nanofluid heat pipes in a lithium-ion battery thermal management system (HPTMS). The results showed that the battery temperature was reduced by 7.28°C (1.5%), when using 4.44 vol% alumina nanofluid heat pipe at a thermal load of 30 W, as shown in Figure 13a.…”

“…Figure 13. a) Maximum battery surface temperature at different heat inputs, b) Thermal resistance of HPTMS at different heat inputs[38] …”