Battery Pack, Cold Plate, ANSYS Fluent CFD Simulation

Description

Description

In this project, we present the CFD simulation of the battery pack, which consists of the battery module and cold plate, via ANSYS Fluent software.

A battery is a device that converts chemical energy into electric energy through chemical reactions. Battery systems are available as a single battery, battery module, and battery pack. Several single battery cells are connected to build a battery module, and several battery module stages are connected to make a battery pack.

In this project, we designed a battery pack consisting of two battery module stages mounted on a cooling plate. Each battery module includes 6 cells in a series arrangement (6S1P).

Methodology

First, we modeled a battery module geometry using Design Modeler software. This battery module consists of 6 prismatic batteries having a series connection. Then, we meshed the model using ANSYS Meshing software, and 313613 elements were generated. Then, we set up this battery module using the Battery model in ANSYS Fluent software.

Second, we modeled a cold plate geometry using Design Modeler software. This cold plate consists of a spiral cooling channel. Then, we meshed the model using ANSYS Meshing software, and 1903585 elements were generated.

Finally, we use the Pack Builder tool to simulate a battery pack. This means that we pattern the battery module into two stages and mount it on the cold plate.

We used the Circuit Network model for battery modeling. Then, we used the ECM (Equivalent Circuit Model) sub-model to specify the electrochemical computations. We intend to discharge the battery pack at a 1 C rate.

Since the discharging process in the battery system occurs over time, we run the calculation in an unsteady state (transient).

Conclusion

We intend to analyze the battery pack’s behavior during the discharging process. Therefore, we obtained the contours of temperature, potential (voltage), current, and SOC (state of charge).

According to the battery pack operation, heat is generated, and the temperature of the battery cells increases. Utilizing a cooling plate can control the temperature rise.

Note that we only modeled the geometry of a battery module in a serial configuration. However, after using the pack builder, all the contours are presented in the form of a battery pack containing two stages of battery modules.