Optimization of simultaneous utilization of air and water flow in a hybrid cooling system for thermal management of a lithium-ion battery pack

The present study provides a simulation of a battery pack (BCK) comprising lithium-ion battery cells positioned within an air channel utilizing Finite Element Method (FEM). A tube containing a flowing liquid, which serves the purpose of cooling BCK, sits at center of the BCK. Laminar nanofluids (NFs) or water flow enters tube, and air flows inside channel. A transient investigation is conducted on BCK temperature, heat transfer coefficient (HTC), and air and liquid outlet temperatures by varying airflow rate (AFR). The results demonstrate that raising airflow decreases the BCK's average temperature (TAE) and maximum temperature (TMM). The TAE of the BCK is more sensitive to changes in flow rate. Furthermore, as the AFR increases, the HTC increases because liquid and air leaving the outlet are cooled. Using NFs instead of water in the tube causes the average and TMM of the BCK to decrease and the HTC to enhance. The results show that The TMM and the TAE of the BCK are increased until the first 25 min and then are reduced. Using NFs instead of water reduces the outlet air and water temperature when AFR is low. Using NFs for battery cooling typically results in better performance than water.