Energy efficiency improvement and entropy generation minimization through structural optimization of a double-layer liquid-cooled plate with circular arc-shaped flow channels

Abstract

Power batteries for new energy vehicles and other high-power electrical devices benefit greatly from liquid-cooled plates for thermal control. In the present work, a liquid-cooled plate with a double-layer arc-channel structure was developed to achieve a uniform temperature distribution on the surface of lithium-ion power batteries and lower operating temperature. Numerical simulation was employed to examine the flow properties and heat transfer capabilities of the plate. Subsequently, the model was validated through experiments. The structure of the liquid-cooled plate was optimized using a genetic algorithm. The fitness function was utilized to minimize the dimensionless number representing the pump power required to enable the working fluid to absorb one joule of heat energy and optimize the entropy generation of the liquid-cooled plate. The performance of the two optimization techniques was contrasted. The maximum temperature of the plate was reduced by 2.58 K and 0.14 K, and the standard deviation of the temperature was reduced by 0.685 K and 0.408 K after the optimization using the creatively established dimensionless number and the entropy generation minimization methods, respectively. The pump work required by the working fluid to absorb one joule of heat energy from the plate was reduced by 70.5% and 12.1%. The liquid-cooled plate with a double-layer arc-channel structure had significantly higher energy efficiency than the plates with serpentine and parallel channels.