Simulation analysis and optimization of containerized energy storage battery thermal management system

Abstract

The air-cooling system is of great significance in the battery thermal management system because of its simple structure and low cost. This study analyses the thermal performance and optimizes the thermal management system of a 1540 kWh containerized energy storage battery system using CFD techniques. The study first explores the effects of different air supply angles on the heat transfer characteristics. Second, the evaluation indexes of heat removal efficiency, air exchange efficiency, temperature and velocity uniformity coefficient are used to select the optimal air supply angle by the Topsis method. Then, the return air vent position is optimized based on the optimal air supply angle, and the optimal solution is obtained. Research indicates that increasing the air supply angle enhances air mixing within the container and simultaneously decreases the battery pack surface temperature. With a 90° air supply angle, the maximum temperature reduces to 33.58 °C, a 19.52 % reduction compared to 30°. The temperature difference across each battery surface also drops by 16.02 % to 3.46 °C. Adjusting the position of the return air vent further improves temperature uniformity and air flow distribution within the battery compartment. When the air supply angle is 90° and the return air vent evenly distributed at Z = 0.85 m next to the fire door, an optimal uniform temperature distribution is achieved. This reduces the maximum surface temperature by 16.47 %, from 36.67 °C to 30.63 °C and decreases the average temperature difference to 3.0 °C, 21.4 % lower. Thus, the present method effectively enhances the performance of the containerized energy storage battery thermal management system.