A Model Based Design of a Thermal Management System for a High Power Lithium-Ion Battery Pack

Abstract

In the present thesis an improved design methodology is proposed for TMSs (Thermal Management Systems) for high power lithium-ion battery packs used in traction applications. The methodology involves the development of different mathematical models for heat generation, transmission, and dissipation and their coupling and integration in the battery pack design methodology in order to improve overall safety and performance. The sequence of steps to be followed according to the proposed methodology are described throughout the chapters of this thesis.
Thermal issues associated with battery packs are identified and solved. In order to do this, first an in-depth characterization of three different lithium- ion cells is performed in order to better understand their thermal behavior. The characterization tests include battery electric and calorimetric experiments, which provide the information required for the development of a heat generation model.
Battery models that integrate the heat generation model are then developed using the finite volume method, and they provide the basis for the thermal management system ́s design. Various model approaches that shorten simulation times in order to perform simulations in a wide range of operating conditions within a reasonable computational time are analyzed. Results from the simulations are used to obtain information, evaluate designs, and provide solutions for battery thermal issues, such as the proper temperature control of the cells that made up the battery pack.
The validity of the different assumptions made for the development of the thermal CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) models is proved by means of heat transfer and fluid flow experiments on a battery module prototype. Once validated, the CFD models are used to check the suitability of the proposed thermal management system design for a real traction application, which proves the effectiveness of a thermal management system design process based on numerical modeling.
Although in the present work the steps of the method used to systematically design and evaluate TMSs for battery systems are applied to a particular case of liquid cooling, the steps are also likely to be of use to battery designers who have to deal with different types of cooling arrangements and applications.

Date of Award	2015
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Public University of Navarre
Supervisor	Noshin Omar (Jury)