Three-dimensional thermal modeling of electric vehicle batteries
Abstract
A generic three-dimensional thermal model was developed for analyzing the thermal behavior of electric-vehicle batteries. The model calculates temperature distribution and excursion of a battery during discharge, change, and open circuit. The model takes into account the effects of heat generation, internal conduction and convection, and external heat dissipation on the temperature distribution in a battery. The three-dimensional feature of the model permits incorporation of various asymmetric boundary conditions; thus the effects of cell orientation and packaging on thermal behavior can be analyzed for a multiple-cell battery pack. Various modes of boundary heat transfer such as radiation, insulation, and natural and forced convections were also included in the model. Model predictions agreed well with the temperature distributions measured in nickel/iron batteries. Application of the thermal model to a closely packed 330-Ah module of five cells indicated that excessive temperature rise will occur upon discharge. Forced air convection is not effective for cooling the module.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- October 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985STIN...8623040L
- Keywords:
-
- Electric Automobiles;
- Electric Batteries;
- Heat Transfer;
- Temperature Distribution;
- Three Dimensional Models;
- Cooling;
- Forced Convection;
- Models;
- Predictions;
- Simulators;
- Energy Production and Conversion