Thermal Investigation of Prismatic Lithium-Ion Battery Cells Under Various Discharge Profiles Using CFD Simulations

Authors : Mehmet Fatih Yiğit, Tarkan Koca

Pages : 771-786

Doi:10.53501/rteufemud.1741030

View : 41 | Download : 164

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Abstract Lithium-ion batteries have become the primary energy storage technology for electric vehicles and portable electronics, yet their thermal behavior under varying operating conditions remains a major concern for safety and performance. In this study, the thermal response of a prismatic lithium-ion battery cell with dimensions of 110 × 50 × 15 mm was numerically investigated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in ANSYS Fluent. The Newman-Tiedemann-Guyer-Kandler (NTGK) electrothermal model was employed to simulate the internal heat generation due to ohmic losses under four different discharge profiles: 0.5C, 1C, 2C constant discharges, and a dynamic WLTC driving cycle. Mesh sensitivity analysis was also conducted to ensure result reliability. The simulation results demonstrated that increasing the discharge rate significantly elevated the maximum cell surface temperature, reaching approximately 62°C at 2C. Under the WLTC profile, fluctuating current input led to dynamic thermal responses, with peak temperatures exceeding 57°C. Temperature gradients were more pronounced at the core region of the cell, especially under high load conditions, indicating potential thermal hotspots and increased risk of thermal runaway if unmanaged. This work highlights the necessity of precise thermal modeling for prismatic lithium-ion cells under realistic usage conditions. The findings suggest that high discharge rates and dynamic loads critically impact battery temperature distributions, necessitating advanced thermal management strategies for safe and efficient operation.
Keywords : Lityum-iyon batarya, Prizmatik hücre, Isıl modelleme, CFD simülasyonu, NTGK modeli, Deşarj profili

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