Integrated Battery Thermal Management System Coupling Phase Change Material Cooling and Direct Heating Strategies

Abstract

The current battery thermal management (BTM) system integrating indirect heating and PCM cooling structures still suffers from relatively low heating efficiency and high energy consumption. In this work, we develop a BTM structure, which possesses both heating and cooling functionalities, by directly wrapping thin heating films around the cells inserted in a phase change material cooling module. Compared to the indirect heating structure, this novel direct contact structure allows direct heat transfer from the heating film to the batteries and thereby presents a more effective heating performance and lower energy consumption. For example, under the ambient temperature of 0 °C, the direct heating strategy with a heating power of 80 W delivers the shortest heating time of 78 s along with a temperature difference (ΔT) of 3.07 °C, thereby demonstrating the highest comprehensive evaluation factor of 0.645 and lowest energy consumption of 3.9%. Under the more severe ambient temperature of −20 °C, a heating time of 384 s with a ΔT of 3.77 °C can be achieved at a direct heating power of 60 W, suggesting the highest comprehensive evaluation factor of 0.503 and a lower energy consumption of 14.5%.

A Review on Composite Phase Change Materials and Fins-Based Li-Ion Battery Thermal Management Systems with Design Perspectives and Future Outlooks

“…The drawbacks associated with PCM are its limited operating temperature range and the complexity of the battery's construction using PCM. 81 The PCM material and design that is selected can have an impact on the thermal management capabilities of LIBs. The conductivity of heat, its limit, encapsulation technique, and positioning of the PCM within the battery store can all affect how well the battery performs.…”

“…LIB with PCM for heat management has increased energy density, longer cycle lives, and improved safety. The drawbacks associated with PCM are its limited operating temperature range and the complexity of the battery’s construction using PCM . The PCM material and design that is selected can have an impact on the thermal management capabilities of LIBs.…”

Overview of the Thermal Runaway in Lithium-Ion Batteries with Application in Electric Vehicles: Working Principles, Early Warning, and Future Outlooks

“…Dependent upon the battery generation, the structure, and the shape of each type of battery module and pack, many types of thermal management systems have been researched and developed, including liquid cooling, air cooling, heat pipes, phase change materials (PCMs), and hybrids of these techniques (Figure ). − …”

“…Classification of battery management system strategies. This figure was reprinted with permission from ref . Copyright 2021 Elsevier.…”