Study of Thermal Management of Li‐Ion Batteries with an Encapsulated Phase‐Change Material and Internal Liquid Channels

Abstract

ANSYS Fluent is used to simulate battery thermal management (BTM). A new concept design of cooling techniques with encapsulated phase‐change material (PCM) and internal coolant channels is proposed. In this study, the passive mode of cooling (MODEL‐A: without internal cooling) and proposed design incorporating with internal liquid channels (MODEL‐B, MODEL‐C, MODEL‐D, MODEL‐E, and MODEL‐F) are considered. The upper section of the chamber is the starting point for the melting progression, which then moves toward the downward lower section of the chamber. Two design concept cooling techniques are used: straight and spiral coolant channels. At the point 15 mm, the PCM gets initiated melting at 1000 s for MODEL‐A (no coolant channels), and only a heating up of PCM is observed for MODEL‐B and MODEL‐C. Faster initiation of melting period over and above 35 mm position and at higher position point 55 mm, which reaches a liquidus temperature 328.6 K at below 2000 and 1000 s, respectively. MODEL‐D, MODEL‐E, and MODEL‐F show the PCM temperature reduction across the axial length due to the presence of coolant channels. The spiral channels can maintain the liquid fraction for longer periods, which allows liquid to contribute to the sustainability of a longer‐lasting thermal storage system.