Title: Thermal analysis of LiFePo₄ batteries during rapid charge with evaporative cooling system

Authors: Md. Sazib Mollik; Muhammad Mahbubur Rashid; Ataur Rahman

Addresses: Department of Mechatronics Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100, Selangor, Malaysia ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100, Selangor, Malaysia ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100, Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: The development of rapid charging mechanism for LiFePo₄ batteries is one of the key concerns for electric vehicles. The main drawbacks of LiFePo₄ battery charging are overcharge, overcurrent, and high temperature which affects longevity, efficiency, and battery life cycle. The effect of the battery's internal temperature on the rapid charging process has been investigated. Firstly, the CC-CV charging method is applied for rapid charging to analyse the internal temperature. Then, develop a thermal management system to enhance the battery charging performances by maintaining the lowest level of raised temperature. Experimental results have shown that the Refrigerant-134a based cooling system is capable to maintain battery temperature within the range of 20°C-40°C. Without any cooling system, the charging temperature is recorded as 54.12°C which is higher than the reference temperature. With the designed cooling mechanism, the evaporator surface average temperature and battery average temperature are measured as 14°C and 25°C, respectively.

Keywords: LiFePo₄ battery; rapid charging; constant-current constant-voltage; CC-CV; state of charge; SOC; temperature effect; thermal management system.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2021.121178

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2021 Vol.17 No.6, pp.556 - 573

Accepted: 04 Jun 2021
Published online: 28 Feb 2022 *

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