Investigation of phase change cooling within thermal control systems for lithium-ion batteries

Abstract During operation, lithium-ion batteries generate a significant amount of heat, leading to increased temperature and temperature gradients within the battery cluster. These conditions significantly impair the durability and safety of batteries, underscoring the necessity for a stable heat dissipation system to maintain optimal battery temperatures. The present work introduces a cost-efficient, passive heat dissipation system that integrates prismatic lithium-ion batteries with phase change material (PCM) components. Findings demonstrate that the PCM components effectively lower the highest temperature and reduce the largest temperature variation observed at the end of the discharge process, highlighting their exceptional thermal storage and regulation properties. Moreover, the impact of critical PCM design factors—such as thermal conductivity, melting temperature, and latent heat capacity—on the system’s thermal performance was analyzed. The research offers foundational insights and practical recommendations for designing and deploying passive, economical battery thermal management systems that leverage PCM technology.