(Battery Division Postdoctoral Associate Research Award Sponsored by MTI Corporation and the Jiang Family Foundation) Thermal Runaway Modeling of Li-ion Batteries – From Fundamental Modeling to Real-Life Applications

Abstract

Thermal runaway in Li-ion batteries is a complex phenomenon that includes various processes that require complex modeling techniques. One needs to consider electrochemical processes, chemical processes, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics to model thermal runaway. Due to the chaotic behavior and cell-to-cell and chemistry-to-chemistry variability in terms of the energy released and thermal runaway mechanism, critical assumptions must be assumed to simplify the reactions while keeping a realistic physical interpretation. This presentation will show a roadmap for modeling thermal runaway from fundamentals in single cells to practical, real-life applications, such as battery packs. Using assumptions and simplifications, thermal runaway models can help assist the design of safe battery packs and identify design features that can reduce the severity of thermal runaway propagation.