A Review on Heat Pipe-Assisted Thermal Management Systems in Electrical Vehicles for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Energy storage in batteries is an emerging subject in the sustainable energy revolution. Battery utilization in Electric Vehicles (EVs) is increasing. Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs) will help meet emission objectives by promoting the use of renewable energy and electric vehicles. Extended cycle life and high energy density make LIBs popular for EVs. LIBs used in electric vehicles create excessive heat during discharge and charging. A thermal management system is required to improve the effectiveness of LIBs in EVs. Air cooling, Water cooling, Thermoelectric cooling, Heat Pipe cooling, Phase Change Materials (PCM) cooling, and hybrid cooling are methods of a thermal management system. A heat pipe-assisted Battery Thermal Management System (HP-BTMS) is a passive method to enhance the thermal performance of EVs by ensuring temperature uniformity for the battery. Integrated HPs with PCM (hybrid system) are better than HP-BTMS in terms of temperature distribution. This study takes an opportunity to present a critical review of the thermal performance of HP-BTMS. The effects of wick structure, construction material, working fluid, and heat input variations have been discussed briefly on the thermal characteristics of heat pipe-based battery thermal management applications. The circular heat pipe, L-shape heat pipe, flat heat pipe, loop heat pipe, and oscillating/pulsating heat pipes are the various types of HP-BTMS. Sintered powder, groove structure, screen mesh, etc. are types of wick structures applied in HP-BTMS. Water, methanol, acetone, ammonium, etc. are working fluids utilized in HP-BTMS. Oscillating heat pipes have a wickless structure and are lighter than other heat pipes. The Maximum Temperature (Tmax) and Temperature difference (ΔTmax) are a battery’s two most significant factors. This paper also discusses the effect of varying power input and charge–discharge rates on Tmax and ΔTmax. Tmax and ΔTmax should be controlled below 50 °C and 5 °C, respectively.