Effect of thermal management system parameters on the temperature characteristics of the battery module

In the present inquiry, a novel electric-thermal coupled model is devised to delve into the battery module's temperature distribution characteristics at different ambient temperatures and discharge rates. The accuracy of temperature prediction accuracy is contingent upon the experimental determination of the entropy heat coefficient and convective heat transfer coefficient. In the absence of a thermal management system for the battery module, an escalation in the discharge rate correlates with an increase in the average temperature, average temperature rise, and maximum temperature difference, while a decline in the initial ambient temperature relates to a decrease in these values. Under typical vehicle driving cycle conditions, the average temperature curves show peaks before the end of the cycle. The wider speed range, longer testing time, and reduced regularity of the driving cycles cause both the average temperature and maximum temperature difference to increase. Further research is done into the effects of coolant flow rate and temperature, and contact thermal resistance on the efficiency of thermal management systems. Gradual decrease in the average temperature transpires as the coolant flow rate increases, but excessively high flow rates engender a larger maximum temperature difference. As the coolant temperature decreases, both the average and maximum temperature difference decrease, but temperature uniformity is worsened. The average and maximum temperature difference generally rise when the thermal contact resistance increases, and a low thermal contact resistance leads to a more uniform lowtemperature distribution.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel electric-thermal coupled model is used to investigate the temperature distribution characteristics of battery modules at different ambient temperatures and discharge rates. The accuracy of temperature prediction relies on determining the entropy heat coefficient and convective heat transfer coefficient through experiments. Without a thermal management system, an increase in discharge rate leads to higher average temperature, average temperature rise, and maximum temperature difference, while a decrease in initial ambient temperature results in lower values of these parameters. Under typical vehicle driving cycle conditions, the average temperature curves exhibit peaks before the end of the cycle. A wider speed range, longer testing time, and reduced regularity of driving cycles all contribute to higher average temperature and maximum temperature difference. Further research examines the impact of coolant flow rate and temperature, as well as contact thermal resistance, on the efficiency of thermal management systems. Increasing coolant flow rate gradually decreases average temperature, but excessively high flow rates result in larger maximum temperature difference. Lower coolant temperatures reduce both average and maximum temperature difference, but worsen temperature uniformity. Increasing thermal contact resistance generally raises average and maximum temperature difference, whereas lower thermal contact resistance leads to a more uniform distribution of low temperatures.