Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Phase Change Material-Based Thermal Management for Mitigating Aging in Lithium-Ion Battery Packs

The paradigm shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles is driven primarily by advancements in lithium-ion cells (LICs) technology. As the advancement of the LICs in terms of long-life, high-energy density, high power density, high charge/discharge rate and cost-effective shows potential for future. This research examines a 3-series x 3-parallel (3s3p) based 21700-NMC lithium-ion battery pack module utilizing phase change material (PCM) as its thermal management solution. The module is evaluated for capacity degradation through a cycling test consisting of 600 continuous charge-discharge cycles. After 600 cycles at 1.5C charge and 2.5C discharge at room temperature, the SOH dropped by 24% without PCM and 19% with PCM. During operation, cell temperature rises, and PCM absorbs heat to keep it within the optimal range. PCM enhances battery performance and extends its lifespan. A deviation of ±5% is observed between the experimental and simulation results. This research emphasizes the effectiveness of PCMs in managing thermal challenges, enhancing the safety, reliability, and suitability of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other high-power applications.