Converging Fluid Channel Design to Improve Thermal Performance of Prismatic Lithium-ion Cell

In this study, the thermal behaviour of an electrochemical cell during rapid discharge is analysed using numerical simulations (ANSYS Fluent). To reduce computational time, truncated computational domain (cell strip) is considered and validated with available experimental data, which accurately represents the full cell geometry thermal and electrical response. The temperature variation in a prismatic cell at different C-rates is instigated in this research work and air is considered as the coolant. The study analyses the variation of prismatic cell characteristics for a range of cell discharge rates (1C to 5C-rate) and both natural and forced convection. Cell temperature and ∆T rises rapidly with discharge rate using straight fluid channel. As the performance of Lithium-ion cells are temperature sensitive which, directly impacts the lifespan of the battery pack. Therefore, a novel converging cooling channel design is proposed to enhance heat dissipation and maintain uniform temperature distribution within the cell for safe operating limits (20°C - 45°C and ∆T < 3°C). Converging fluid channel able to maintain cell maximum temperature at 30.7°C and temperature difference of 2.5°C during 3C discharge (3 m/s and 24°C). Hence the proposed thermal management system (TMS) design maintain safe operating temperature limits for efficient performance and life.