Battery Coolant System
Problem statement
Battery management is one of the most important tasks when it comes to renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. Without proper analysis and management, battery packs can fail sometimes in a spectacular fashion. “High temperatures reduce the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries and very high temperature increase the risk of thermal runaway.”[1] Badgerloop is a UW-Madison Organization that is building a solar powered car for the Formula Sun Grand Prix. Badgerloop’s current battery design consists of 12, 2×13 battery cell modules in a small housing. The current lithium ion batteries have a maximum operating temperature of 65°C (149°F). The combination of the large number of cells, heat generation and air flow makes the maximum operating temperature easy to obtain, which could lead to poor efficiency of the battery and a dangerous environment during the competition. However, the competition also imposes restrictions on cooling methods that make finding a viable solution more difficult. Our goal is to develop a simulation for the battery pack and housing to determine its temperature field, heat generation, and cooling rate of the system. Using the data collected from the simulation along with the internal BMS of the car, we will be able to work on optimization of the battery pack housing for efficiency and longevity in the current and future version of the battery pack. “Battery Cooling: Energy Technologies.” Battery Cooling | Energy Technologies, [1] https://www.crodaenergytechnologies.com/en-gb/applications/battery-technologies/battery-cooling-and-thermal-management (Accessed Fed. 10, 2023)
Team members
Irfan Muzhaffar – leader
Alexander Hering – communicator
Jinhang Xue – accountant
Nick Bergmann – admin
Client
Jacob Hogan, Badgerloop Electrical Lead