Computational modeling of battery thermal energy management system using phase change materials

Similar to an IC (Internal combustion) engine which requires cooling to operate at optimum temperature for better efficiency; electric vehicles do require a similar system. There are various methods used in the current market for thermal management of batteries, of these our paper focuses on phase change materials (PCM). This cooling strategy can store an enormous amount of heat produced inside a battery because of its high latent heat capability. A 3D model of the battery using the multi-scale multi-dimension model (MSMD) for battery simulation and Solidification/melting models were used to showcase the melting of PCM due to the heat generated from a cell. ANSYS fluent was used to carry out the simulations. These computations are carried out at different C-rate to find the time taken for a battery to discharge and to find the impact of C-rate on PCM performance. Besides, temperature data for the cell was recorded before and after PCM was involved to compare the temperature difference between various PCM's.