APPLICATION OF HYBRID COOLING TECHNIQUE FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK

Lithium-Ion batteries generate heat during their operation which directly affects their performance characteristics. The thermal management of battery systems increases the lifetime of the batteries by optimizing the temperature and regulating its distribution. In the present study, the cooling of nine Lithium-Ion batteries arranged in a square pattern by three different methods is simulated to control the temperature of the batteries. The methods used are air cooling, cooling with the help of a phase change material (PCM) made of paraffin wax with expanded graphite applied onto the batteries and the combination of air cooling with PCM. Temperature distribution in the entire battery back for three different cases like with air cooling, PCM cooling and hybrid cooling which consists of the combination of PCM cooling with air cooling have been studied. Thickness of PCM and air velocity have been varied and the influence of those on the temperature distribution have been analyzed. Combination of PCM with air cooling is the most efficient technique observed in reducing the battery pack temperature out of the various techniques investigated.