A Critical Review of Thermal Issues in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries are well-suited for fully electric and hybrid electric vehicles due to their high specific energy and energy density relative to other rechargeable cell chemistries. However, these batteries have not been widely deployed commercially in these vehicles yet due to safety, cost, and poor low temperature performance, which are all challenges related to battery thermal management. In this paper, a critical review of the available literature on the major thermal issues for lithium-ion batteries is presented. Specific attention is paid to the effects of temperature and thermal management on capacity/power fade, thermal runaway, and pack electrical imbalance and to the performance of lithium-ion cells at cold temperatures. Furthermore, insights gained from previous experimental and modeling investigations are elucidated. These include the need for more accurate heat generation measurements, improved modeling of the heat generation rate, and clarity in the relative magnitudes of the various thermal effects observed at high charge and discharge rates seen in electric vehicle applications. From an analysis of the literature, the requirements for lithium-ion thermal management systems for optimal performance in these applications are suggested, and it is clear that no existing thermal management strategy or technology meets all these requirements. Thomas-Alyea (kethomas@alumni.princeton.edu) and Kandler Smith (kandler.smith@gmail.com). This article was reviewed by KarenElectric and hybrid electric vehicles ͑EV and HEV͒ may present the best near-term solution for the transportation sector to reduce our dependence on petroleum and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and criteria pollutants. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are well-suited for these vehicles because they have, among other things, high specific energy and energy density relative to other cell chemistries. For example, practical nickel-metal hydride ͑NiMH͒ batteries, which have dominated the HEV market, have a nominal specific energy and energy density of 75 Wh/kg and 240 Wh/L, respectively. In contrast, lithium-ion batteries can achieve 150 Wh/kg and 400 Wh/L, 1 i.e., nearly 2 times the specific energy and energy density.Whereas lithium-ion batteries are rapidly displacing NiMH and nickel-cadmium secondary batteries for portable and hand-held devices, they have not yet been widely introduced in automotive products. The main barriers to the deployment of large fleets of vehicles on public roads equipped with lithium-ion batteries continue to be safety, cost ͑related to cycle and calendar life͒, and low temperature performance 2 -all challenges that are coupled to thermal effects in the battery. Since the recent introduction of HEV fleets, the industry trend is toward larger batteries required for plug-in hybrids, extended-range hybrids, and all-electric vehicles. These larger battery designs impose greater pressure to lower costs and improve safety.Furthermore, most of the research on these types of batteries has been related to fin...

Thermal conductivity and internal temperature profiles of Li-ion secondary batteries

“…by Bandhauer et al [5]. Especially the temperature influence on different ageing mechanisms is well reported [6][7][8][9].…”

“…If we imagine a thin electrode, we differentiate between the direction perpendicular (cross-plane) and parallel to the plane (in-plane). There are reports on thermal conductivities of Li-ion secondary battery materials [18], but they are not thoroughly investigated [5]. In particular, there is not that many reports on thermal conductivity of separators.…”

Heat transfer and second law analyses of forced convection in a channel partially filled by porous media and featuring internal heat sources

“…The Darcy-Brinkman model is used to model the transport of momentum and internal heat generation or consumption is incorporated into the energy equation. These internal sources represent the exothermic or endothermic physical and chemical reactions occurring in various practical processes [29,43,44]. The rest of this paper has been organised in the following order.…”

Atomistic Study of Lithium Ion Dynamics in Li12Si7

“…Rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have received great attention owing to their environmental friendliness, non-memory effect, and high energy density 1 . Graphite has been the dominant anode material for the LIBs with many advantages such as facile synthesis, abundant resources and low volume expansion/contraction of 9% 2 .…”