A fast-heat battery system using the heat released from detonated supercooled phase change materials

A heating strategy has been developed for the battery operated at low temperature, which can intelligently control the thermal storage and release of an inorganic phase change material (PCM): CaCl2$6H(2)O - carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). With the 0.5 wt % CMC content, this PCM (melts at 25-30 degrees C) becomes stable in the subcooled state, making it possible to be used as the subcooled liquid at 5 degrees C to store the heat generated by the battery. The thermal energy stored in the subcooled PCM can be detonated to release by triggering the PCM to crystalize with a special device. The instant crystallization of this subcooled PCM heats the battery rapidly-which is at a rate up to 7.5 degrees C/min, higher than the battery without PCM (0.8 degrees C/min) or the battery with the no subcooled PCM(0.4 degrees C/min). The discharge capacity and power can be improved by 9.87% and 7.56%. This work presents a new method of heating by switching the subcooling of PCM on/off, which extends the application of PCMs to battery heating under low temperatures. This energy-free but efficient method could provide a better alternative to most active heating systems. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A heating strategy has been developed for batteries operating at low temperatures, utilizing a phase change material (PCM) to store and release thermal energy to rapidly heat the battery, improving discharge capacity and power.