Simulation and Optimization of Lithium-Ion Battery Thermal Management System Integrating Composite Phase Change Material, Flat Heat Pipe and Liquid Cooling

Abstract

A large-capacity prismatic lithium-ion battery thermal management system (BTMS) combining composite phase change material (CPCM), a flat heat pipe (FHP), and liquid cooling is proposed. The three conventional configurations analyzed in this study are the BTMSs using only CPCM, CPCM with aluminum thermal diffusion plates, and CPCM with FHPs. In addition, a CPCM–FHP assisted with liquid cooling at the lateral sides is established to enhance the thermal performance of large-capacity batteries. Moreover, the influences of coolant temperature, the number of FHPs and cooling pipes, and the coolant direction on the temperature field of a BTMS are discussed. Finally, the orthogonal design method is used for the multi-level analysis of multiple factors to improve the light weight of the system. The optimal parameter combination is obtained to achieve the best thermal performance of the BTMS, with the maximum temperature and the temperature difference at 43.17 °C and 3.36 °C, respectively, under a maximum discharge rate of 2C and a high-temperature environment of 37 °C. The optimal scheme is further analyzed and affirmed through the comprehensive balance method.

Thermal Performance Analysis of a Prismatic Lithium-Ion Battery Module under Overheating Conditions

“…The cooling methods of the five schemes are shown in Table 1. In addition, the material properties of each component are shown in Table 2 [26]. The battery used in this paper is a nickel-cobalt-manganese prismatic lithium-ion battery whose width, depth, and height are 148 mm, 27 mm and 92 mm, respectively.…”

“…The results show that the hybrid battery module can effectively reduce the battery temperature and temperature difference compared to the module without micro heat pipes. Xin et al [26] proposed a BTMS for high-capacity prismatic lithium-ion batteries combining liquid cooling, FHP, and composite phase change material. The BTMS can effectively control the maximum temperature and temperature difference of the battery under a 2C discharge rate and 37 • C high-temperature environments.…”