| Abstract |
Lithium-ion batteries are crucial in automotive applications due to their high energy storage capacity. However, batteries require thermal management to mitigate the negative effects of low, high, and non-uniform temperatures. In this study, we propose a novel battery pack thermal management system based on phase change materials (PCMs) for use in small electric vehicles. PCMs are promising for thermal management systems because of their high thermal energy storage capacity at a constant temperature and their low cost. However, their low thermal conductivity poses a significant challenge. To address this issue, aluminum honeycomb panels are incorporated to the PCM as a PCM heat transfer enhancement technique. This research investigates the impact of using PCM as thermal management system and analyzes the evolution of battery temperature over time with and without PCM under various ambient temperatures. Additionally, the effect of adding an external insulation to the battery pack is examined. The results demonstrate that integrating PCMs between every two battery rows in the pack reduces the battery temperature by 9.8°C compared to the scenario without a thermal management system. Furthermore, At 40°C ambient temperature, adding external insulation reduces the battery temperature by 1.6°C with PCM and by 2.25°C without PCM, both compared to uninsulated cases. These materials shows its potential to serve as an alternative to some traditional cooling methods that rely on fans and pumps. |
