Enhanced thermal management strategy for supercapacitors using phase change materials: A numerical investigation

Abstract

The integration of phase change materials (PCMs) presents a promising possibility for enhancing the thermal management of supercapacitors (SCs), which are vital components in various energy storage systems. This research focuses on investigating the thermal behavior of SCs with integrated PCM, employing finite element method (FEM) simulations to solve the transient thermal problem. Through a comparative analysis at various time instants, the transient thermal response of SCs is examined, shedding light on the efficacy of PCM-based thermal management strategies. Moreover, parametric studies are conducted to investigate the influence of PCM key characteristics, like melting temperature and layer thickness on the SC thermal response. Additionally, the impact of enhanced PCM thermal conductivity is explored by integrating high-conductive short carbon fibers (CF) within the PCM matrix. This investigation encompasses various PCM melting points, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between PCM properties and SC thermal response. The results indicate that a notable decline in the highest temperatures of the SC can be achieved, leading to a reduction of about 9 °C depending on the PCM melting temperature and the improved thermal conductivity. The obtained results emphasize the effectiveness and practical feasibility of the proposed thermal management strategy. The modeling approach presented provides a robust tool with significant efficiency in reducing computational time for analyzing the thermal behavior of large models, as the utilization of the homogenization technique notably decreases the computational time. The findings of this study not only provide insights into optimizing PCM-based thermal management strategies for SCs but also contribute to advancing the design and performance of energy storage systems by addressing crucial thermal challenges.