Enhancing thermal performance for electric vehicle lithium-ion battery pack based on active thermal management

Abstract

Electric vehicles are powered by a range of batteries, with lithium batteries playing a dominant role, which is inseparable from their excellent performance. However, the high-rate of discharge leads to faster electrochemical reaction rates, generating more heat, thereby presenting a serious threat to the battery thermal management technology. In response to this challenge, a battery thermal management system (BTMS) consisting of pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS), copper foam phase change material (CFPCM), and liquid cooling is suggested. A BTMS model is developed by coupling electrochemical and thermodynamic models with non-isothermal flow models. The model's accuracy is further confirmed through experiments, followed by a comparison of different schemes to reveal the excellent cooling performance of BTMS. Additionally, the impacts of CFPCM, flow rate, and coolant flow direction are investigated with respect to the performance of the BTMS. Finally, the model is numerically simulated with charging and discharging cycles in conjunction with real-world use, and it is found that the BTMS could maintain a very stable performance.