Thermal Mapping and Heat Transfer Analysis of an Induction Motor of an Electric Vehicle Using Nanofluids as a Cooling Medium

Abstract

The driving motor is one of the most crucial components of an electric vehicle (EV). The most commonly used type of motor in EVs is the induction motor. These motors generate heat during operation due to the flow of electrical current through the motor’s coils, as well as friction and other factors. For long-run and high efficiency of the motor, cooling becomes more important. This article utilized ANSYS Motor-CAD to map the temperature signature of an induction motor and investigated the thermal efficiency of using nanofluids as a cooling medium. The thermal conductivity of nanofluids has been found to be superior to that of more conventional cooling fluids such as air and water. This research explores the effect of using Al2O3, ZnO, and CuO concentrations in nanofluids (water as a base fluid) on the thermal efficacy and performance of motor. According to the findings, using nanofluids may considerably increase the efficiency of the motor, thereby lowering temperature rise and boosting system effectiveness. Based on the simulation analysis using ANSYS Motor-CAD, the results demonstrate that the utilization of CuO nanofluid as a cooling medium in the induction motor led to a reduction of 10% in the temperature of the motor housing. The maximum reduction in the temperature was found up to 10% when nanofluids were used, which confirms CuO as an excellent option of nanofluids for use as motor cooling and other applications where effective heat transmission is crucial.