Finite Element Analysis of Phase Change Material (PCM) Cooling System on 32V Lifepo4 Battery

The demand for alternative sources of energy is growing because of the rising population of the world and little availability of petroleum. Lithium-ion batteries play an important role in storing solar energy production. Nonetheless, thermal management depends highly on their operational efficiency, best performance being between 15 C and 40 C. Poor thermal management can result in the thermal runaway causing major threats. This research work will try to solve this critical problem by performing Finite Elements Analysis Mechanism (FEA) on a Phase Change Material (PCM) Cooling structure for 32V Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries. Four types of PCM materials, namely, calcium salt hexahydrate, RT-58, composite paraffin, and n-octadecane, are tested in order to determine which one presents the highest heat reduction. Such a promising solution can be represented by PCM materials that can absorb or release large amounts of latent heat while undergoing phase transformations. Specifically, non-corrosive nature, low undercooling, chemical and thermal stability are the strengths of organic PCMs. From the SolidWorks analysis of this study, PCM materials tested can effectively decrease the temperature of the battery. noctadecane (24.4%), composite paraffin (26.6%), RT-58 (24.4%) and calcium salt hexahydrate (25.3%). According to the study, its results conclude that composite paraffin is the most effective of all in the application and the efficacy rate of the composite paraffin is the best compared to the other three materials.