Publication Date
Fall 2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
Advisor
Vimal Viswanathan; Farzan Kazemifar; Syed Zaidi
Abstract
The growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates efficient thermal management of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), especially NMC 523 cells. This thesis investigates thermal runaway (TR) mechanisms and evaluates cooling strategies to mitigate overheating risks. Using ANSYS Fluent, the TR of four cells in series was simulated and validated with Jun Wu et al.'s experimental data, achieving an error margin below 10%. Peak temperatures reached 1,126°C in the first cell, with delayed propagation in adjacent cells. Sensitivity analysis of voltage, current, and state of charge (SOC) under varying C-rates was performed using a multi-scale multi-domain (MSMD) battery model. A logarithmic voltage drop during TR showed a strong correlation (R² = 0.9228), and internal resistance aligned with manufacturer data within 5%. Cooling strategies for a 13S2P battery pack were evaluated, including Phase Change Materials (PCMs), Heat Pipes (HPs), and air cooling. Nonadecane, PW-48, and PW-58 PCMs at 7.5 mm and 12 mm thicknesses were studied, with the 12 mm PW-48 layer reducing temperatures to 127.65°C. Combining PCM and HPs further lowered temperatures, with PW-48 reaching 55.8°C. Hybrid cooling (PCM, HPs, and air) achieved 29.3°C, supported by turbulent airflow (Re ≈ 17,881). This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrated cooling strategies for next-generation Battery Thermal Management Systems (BTMS) in EVs
Recommended Citation
Singh, Vijethvardhan, "Thermal Runaway Analysis and Cooling Strategies for Nmc 523 Li-ion Battery Packs Using Pcm, Heat Pipes, and Air Cooling" (2024). Master's Theses. 5609.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.kjrf-3a5a
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/5609
