Enhanced optimization algorithm for the structural design of an air‐cooled battery pack considering battery lifespan and consistency. (9th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Yi; Liu, Yujie; Fowler, Michael; Tran, Manh‐Kien; Panchal, Satyam; Li, Wei; Zhang, Yangjun
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy research. Volume 46:Number 15(2022)
• Page Start: 24021
• Page End: 24044
• Publication Date: 2022-09-09
• Subjects: air‐cooled battery pack -- battery modeling -- electric scooter -- lifespan -- structural optimization -- thermal and electrical performance; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/er.8700
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-907X

Abstract

Summary: Electric scooters are increasingly popular for short‐distance commuting. To improve the thermal safety, performance, and lifespan of their batteries, their heat needs to be managed. This study proposes a method for optimizing the air channels in a scooter battery pack. It includes an electro‐thermal‐degradation model for predicting the battery's electrical and thermal behaviors and capacity loss, a heat transfer model for predicting convective heat exchange between the battery and the air, and a genetic algorithm for structural optimization of an air‐cooled battery thermal management system (BTMS). Unlike conventional optimization of a BTMS, the proposed algorithm aims to improve the electrical consistency, lifespan, and thermal safety of the battery via rapid global optimization of its air ducts. The optimization algorithm was tested on a 3P4S air‐cooled battery pack from an electric scooter. It improved the pack's consistency of state of charge (SOC) and its lifespan by reducing its heat and temperature gradient. Under on‐design conditions, the optimized air ducts reduced the maximum pack temperature by 0.45°C and the difference between the average temperatures of the cells in a branch to 15.9% that of the original pack. Moreover, the optimized air ducts decrease the SOC difference by 81.1% and improved the state of health by 0.03%. Hence, the proposed air duct optimization method can improve the pack's thermal performance, SOC distribution, and lifespan under off‐design conditions.