A simplified mathematical modeling approach for thermal runaway of Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O2 pouch cells based on thermal runaway experimental data

Abstract

Currently, the numerical modeling methods used to characterize the thermal runaway and propagation mechanisms in NCM811 pouch batteries still face numerous challenges. This is primarily due to the uncertainties in thermal runaway reactions and the immense computational demands encountered when modeling begins at the granular level of the cell. To address this issue, this study designed a series of experiments for an NCM811 pouch battery. By employing experimental data, reasonable assumptions were made regarding the combined effects of solid-state thermal conduction, electrochemical heating, and fluid-solid heat transfer through gas jet streams. A simplified thermal runaway mathematical modeling method based on experimental data was proposed, effectively tackling the problem. This framework was then applied to thermal runaway experiments on a single NCM811 battery used in this study, providing essential input parameters for three-dimensional numerical modeling of modules composed of multiple batteries in multiphysics simulation software. The simulation results derived from the proposed method were in good agreement with experimental data. This study can characterize the thermal runaway and thermal propagation characteristics of battery modules using single-cell thermal runaway experiments. Moreover, the proposed modeling approach not only predicted the experimental outcomes of the NCM811 pouch battery with reasonable accuracy but also provided smoother data, elucidating the highly fluctuating trends observed in experimental data. This method also offers guidance for designing fire prevention and smoke exhaust systems for battery packs. This study presents a novel approach for the mathematical modeling of thermal runaway and thermal propagation in battery modules using NCM811 pouch batteries, contributing to the ongoing development of lithium-ion battery module design.