Enhancing battery thermal management system using the emulsion of encapsulated phase change material and water in a mini helical tube

Abstract

Abstract A key challenge in limiting the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries (LIB), particularly at high discharge rates, is excessive heat generated during operation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the innovative use of encapsulated phase change materials (EPCMs) in a cooling system of a mini helical tube (MHT) in order to improve battery thermal management (BTM) in lithium-ion batteries. The results reveal that increasing the Reynolds number (Re) from 50 to 100 at 4% EPCM concentration (C) results in a reduction of 5.26 K and 2.48 K at the average outlet temperature (To) and the LIB temperature (TLIB). Furthermore, raising the C from 0 to 4% resulted in a 1.39 K decrease in TLIB at Re = 100. Moreover, the Nusselt number (Nu) is significantly improved with both Re and C, with Nu increasing by 36.35% when Re is changed from 50 to 100, while Nu increases by 178.4% when EPCM is added at Re = 50.