Numerical Simulation of Tri-Layer Symmetric Manifold Cold Plate for Energy Storage Battery

This study proposes a novel tri-layer symmetric manifold cold plate design to enhance heat transfer efficiency and uniform thermal dissipation for enhancing battery performance and lifespan. By employing a three-layer channel structure within the tri-layer symmetric manifold cold plate, the streamlines in both overflow channels exhibit jet-like flow perpendicular to the heated surface unanimously, enhancing the heat transfer process at the same extent. As a result of additional flow paths for the coolant due to the three-layer channel structure, thermal management system achieves minimized energy expenditure while optimizing the thermal environment of the battery pack through enhanced heat dissipation uniformity. Under the conditions of heat generation rate in the range of 5000-25000 $\mathrm{W} / \mathrm{m}^{3}$ and total coolant velocity of $0.5-2.5 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}$, numerical analysis results indicate that, compared to parallel-channel cold plates, the adoption of tri-layer symmetric manifold cold plates in battery packs can reduce the maximum temperature, average temperature, maximum temperature difference and pressure drop by 5.21% − 15.73%, 4.68% − 16.11%, 14.06% − 50.96% and 32.89% − 57.11%, respectively.