Modelling of Phase Change Material Embedded Li-Ion Battery Pack Under Different Load Conditions Using Equivalent Circuit Model

In recent years, the automobile industry has witnessed a revamp of its fossil fuel-driven conventional vehicles by electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). The recent EV fires are the predominant hindrances to the market rise of EVs. This study addresses this problem with the easily retrofitted phase change material (PCM) embedded battery thermal management system. A multi-scale multi-dimensional (MSMD) framework’s equivalent circuit model (ECM) is employed to model the battery. The solidification and melting model is used to analyse the n-octadecane PCM. The results concluded that the optimal thickness of the PCM enclosure is 3 mm as the highest reduction of 2.8 K in the maximum temperature of the battery pack (Tmax) is witnessed. The PCM embedded design has lowered the Tmax by 2.82 K, 2.82 K, and 2.63 K when the 4S2P battery pack is discharged at constant C-rates of 10C, 8C, and 6C, respectively. The batteries in immediate contact with PCM (side-BATT) have shown significantly lower Tmax values than central batteries (centre-BATT). A reduction of 43.38 K, 1.24 K in Tmax is observed in side-BATT, whereas 2.48 K, 0.6 K in centre-BATT when the battery pack is discharged at constant 10 C-rate and dynamic loading, respectively.