| description abstract | An efficient battery thermal management system (BTMS) is critical for ensuring the performance and lifespan of the battery module. To enhance the module’s thermal performance, a new liquid cooling (LC) system integrating with vapor chambers for a cylindrical battery module is proposed in this article. Systematically, numerical studies are carried out to compare the performance of three BTMSs: LC, liquid cooling with vapor chamber (LC-VC), and liquid cooling with two-end vapor chambers (LC-2VCs). Results highlight that integrating VC reduces the maximum temperature of the battery module (Tmax) and shows a preferable temperature distribution. It is detected that LC-VC displays excellent temperature uniformity performance along a coolant flow path with the maximum temperature difference (ΔTmax) of 6.65 K at a 3C discharge rate compared to the LC case with ΔTmax of 9.18 K. However, it still suffers from a noticeable temperature gradient from the top to the bottom thermal transfer paths. In contrast, LC-2VCs further enhances the temperature uniformity with ΔTmax of 4.72 K and controls Tmax of 306.89 K. Then, the effects of the battery axial thermal conductivity, VC effective thermal conductivity, fin height, and inlet velocity on the cooling performance of LC-VC and LC-2VCs are examined. Finally, the cooling performance under optimal conditions is compared to initial conditions. The results show that Tmax and ΔTmax for LC-2VCs are controlled at 305.58 K and 3.51 K under 3C discharge rate, and reduce by 1.31 K and 1.21 K, respectively, compared to initial conditions. | |
