Thermal management improvement for a pack of cylindrical batteries using nanofluids and topological modifications

Cooling of the electrical vehicles' battery is of crucial importance, as it affects the performance of the electrical power system, discharging duration, and subsequently their market acceptance. Present numerical work aims at analysing the improvement of the thermal management system by topological changes, which can be easily and affordably performed. The influence of AgO-water nanofluid with a volume fraction of 3% is also evaluated. A pack involving 10 cylindrical batteries with a constant heat flux is studied, which is merged by the nanofluid flow. Effects of changing the location of the inlet/outlet ports and inserting one or two plates to guide the fluid flow are assessed. The analysis was performed for a range of Reynolds number (based on the inlet pack diameter) from 1000 to 2000. It is shown that the topological modifications can improve the Nusselt number by more than 25%, while the Reynolds number rising from 1000 to 2000 makes a maximum increase of 30%. However, it follows a maximum 50% increment in the pressure drop. The proposed geometries indicate a more uniform temperature distribution compared to the simple cooling system without guiding plates by about 50%.

Automated summary

Cooling of electric vehicle batteries plays a crucial role in determining their performance, discharging duration, and market acceptance. This study focuses on improving the thermal management system by making topological changes and evaluating the effect of AgO-water nanofluid with a 3% volume fraction. The analysis is conducted on a pack of 10 cylindrical batteries with a constant heat flux, considering different inlet/outlet port locations and the insertion of guiding plates. Results show that topological modifications can increase the Nusselt number by over 25%, while increasing the Reynolds number from 1000 to 2000 results in a maximum increase of 30%. However, there is a maximum 50% increase in pressure drop. The proposed geometries also provide a more uniform temperature distribution compared to the simple cooling system without guiding plates, with an improvement of about 50%.