Abstract
In this paper, a thermal analysis is performed on battery cells placed in a battery pack using the finite element method. All cells are placed in triangular enclosures filled with phase change material (PCM). The battery pack with PCM enclosures is located in laminar airflow. Two arcs are placed at the inlet to direct the air towards the air duct by changing the angle of the arc. In this study, the phase change of PCM from liquid to solid and the temperature of battery cells in 100 min are examined transiently. The amount of energy produced by the battery for use in the air conditioning system of a house has also been studied. Two-dimensional numerical simulations are performed using COMSOL Multiphysics software. The results demonstrated that the use of the arc with a 90° angle causes the average temperature of battery cells to be minimal. The maximum average temperature of battery cells is observed at the arc angle of 165°. At the arc angle of 90°, the maximum phase change of PCM from liquid to solid is observed. It is also found that the temperature of the battery cells in the first column is minimal and the batteries placed in the middle row of the battery pack are warmer than the ones located in the top and bottom rows of the battery pack. The results also shown that, during the summer, the battery pack can provide up to 66% of the energy needed for the air conditioning system.
•Thermal analysis of battery cells placed in triangular enclosures.•Filled with PCM in the presence of forced airflow in an air duct.•Battery pack can provide up to 66% of energy needed for the air conditioning system.