Open Access Article

Title: A study into different cell-level cooling strategies for cylindrical lithium-ion cells in automotive applications

Authors: Daniel Worwood; R. Algoo; Ryan J. McGlen; James Marco; David Greenwood

Addresses: Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK ' Jaguar Land Rover, International Digital Laboratory Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK ' Thermacore Europe, Unit 12/Wansbeck Business Park, NE63 8QW, Ashington, UK ' Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK ' Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

Abstract: Previous research has identified that the ageing rate and performance of lithium-ion cells is negatively influenced by unfavourable cell thermal conditions, specifically, high ambient temperatures and large in-cell temperature gradients. In this paper, the thermal performance of tab cooling cylindrical cells, which is not well understood within the literature, is compared to more common radial cooling strategies. The analysis is conducted through the development of a 2D transient bulk layer thermal model displaying anisotropic thermal conductivity. The model is validated against experimental temperature measurements, where the peak error of the simulation was found to be 2% and 5% for the experimental test drive cycle and constant 1 C discharge respectively. Results indicate that radial cooling with air or singular tab cooling with liquid is inadequate in limiting in-cell temperature gradients to below 5°C for HEV type 32113 cells when subject to four loops of the US06 drive cycle.

Keywords: anisotropic thermal conductivity; automotive battery; thermal management; thermal modelling; tab cooling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPT.2018.090381

International Journal of Powertrains, 2018 Vol.7 No.1/2/3, pp.199 - 226

Received: 06 Jan 2017
Accepted: 27 Aug 2017
Published online: 13 Mar 2018 *

 

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