An Experimental Investigation on Cooling Performance of Battery Pack by Using Nano-Enhanced Phase Change Material

Abstract

A rechargeable lithium ion battery has captured prime importance in the modern era due to its cycle life and energy density. In the present study hexagonal shaped 18650 lithium ion cylindrical cell battery pack was designed and fabricated with paraffin wax as a Phase Change Material (PCM). But low thermal conductivity of the PCM causes impediment to the development of Electrical Vehicles (EV’s) which remains as a significant challenge. In the cylindrical cell battery module the maximum temperature is obtained in the mid region which causes uneven temperature distribution among cell. In order to overcome the limitation and to achieve efficient performance of battery module, the nano enhanced Phase Change Material (Ne-PCM) was incorporated in middle four cells by using graphene platelet nano powder (GPN), Multi Walled Carbon Nano Tube (MWCNT) and Graphite Synthetic Powder (GSP). Experiments on the battery module were conducted without any cooling, with PCM cooling and with Ne-PCM cooling. The results revealed that Battery pack with Ne-PCM has shown successful performance by minimizing the temperature below 50 °C in all considered discharge rates i.e., (1C, 2C and 3C) and maintained even temperature distribution among cells.