A novel thermal management system (TMS) for Li-ion battery module using phase change material (PCM) and cooling water as the heat dissipation source to control battery temperature rise has been developed. Graphite sheets were applied to compensate low thermal conductivity of battery and PCM and improve temperature uniformity of the batteries. One discharge (1C rate)-charge (2C rate) circle was applied in battery modules to test the effectiveness of this TMS. A three dimensional numerical model of the battery module with the TMS was conducted. The results show that this TMS basically meets the demand about the maximum temperature difference of battery module and totally keeps the maximum temperature within the optimum operating temperature range (≤45°C).
Numerical study of a novel battery thermal management system for a prismatic Li-ion battery module