Numerical and experimental study on thermal behavior of prismatic lithium-ion battery for large-capacity energy storage

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) hold promising prospects due to their high energy density and good cycle stability. However, their performance is significantly influenced by temperature. To address this, this paper established an electrochemical-thermal (ECT) coupled model for a prismatic LiFePO4 (LFP) battery and conducted experimental measurements of its thermal conductivity, specific heat, and adiabatic temperature rise. These experimental data serve as a foundation for validating mathematical models and selecting empirical parameters. The purpose is to investigate the thermal characteristics of batteries under varying operational conditions. The results reveal a positive correlation between the charge/discharge rate and the heat generation rate of the battery. Under natural convection conditions, the battery experiences a temperature reduction of 4.1 °C compared to the adiabatic condition. Additionally, an optimal spacing between adjacent batteries is observed under air-cooling conditions. Increasing the inlet air temperature leads to an overall rise in battery temperature while decreasing the maximum temperature difference within the battery. Furthermore, elevating the inlet air volume results in lower overall battery temperature and maximum temperature difference. This paper's findings provide valuable insights for the design and enhancement of battery thermal management systems.