Numerical investigation on the usage of finned surface in lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides batteries by using air cooling method

In this study, a numerical thermal analysis of a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide prismatic battery having nominal voltage of 3.7 V and capacity of 26Ah was performed during air cooling conditions. The effects of discharge rate (in the range of 3C-5C) and air velocity (in the range of 1-3 m s(-1)) on average battery temperature, maximum battery temperature, and total heat transfer rate are investigated for both flat and finned cooling surfaces. The results showed that air cooling by means of flat cooling surface is only sufficient for low discharge rate and it is necessary to use finned surfaces in order to keep battery temperature in desired operation temperature range for high discharge rate conditions. Analysis results showed that average battery temperature is reduced up to 29%, 32%, and 30% by increasing air velocity for discharge rates of 3C, 4C, and 5C with the usage of flat surface, respectively. In addition, it was seen that the average and maximum battery temperatures are reduced up to 7.9 and 8.6 K with the usage of finned cooling surface instead of flat one. The heat removed from the battery is increased 8.7 W by using finned surface at the maximum air velocity of 3 ms(-1).