Incorporating Copper and Carbon Nanotube Nanoparticles into Phase Change Materials for Enhanced Thermal Management in Batteries

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to explore the impact of integrating nano-additives on heat transfer enhancement within an LHTES (Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage) system. Our findings revealed that introducing a minimal amount of nano-materials (less than 5.0 vol%) into the Phase Change Material (PCM) led to a remarkable alignment between experimental correlations and mixture models. Furthermore, employing the mixing model allowed for the accurate prediction of outcomes. In the current context of scientific research, there is a strong endorsement for the widespread adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) as a sustainable alternative to Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), crucial for advancing decarbonization and mitigating climate-related crises. Lithium-ion batteries are the predominant choice for EVs and various electrical devices. However, the operational challenges posed by high temperatures, impacting their lifespan, charge/discharge cycles, and the risk of thermal runaway, necessitate effective thermal management systems. Given this background, our study focuses on simulating the heat dissipation of a single cylindrical Li-ion battery cell employing a Nano-enhanced Phase Change Material (NePCM)-based cooling system. We also introduce a novel fin design in this work. Through comprehensive analysis, we examine the performance of battery modules utilizing PCM and NePCM at different discharge rates, both with and without the newly proposed fin design. Our research demonstrates that the incorporation of fins and nanoparticles into PCM significantly enhances heat transfer and reduces the charging time compared to the base PCM. Notably, carbon-based nanoparticles outshine their metal-based counterparts in terms of melting rate and maintaining a uniform temperature profile within the battery.