Transient thermal analysis of the thermal management of high-power fast charging module using phase change material

Abstract

Fast charging technologies are now being developed, and the challenge of an efficient heat management solution for the charging module is aggravated. The transient thermal analysis model is firstly given to evaluate the novel thermal management system for the high power fast charging pile. Results show that adding the PCM into the thermal management system limits its thermal management performance in larger air convective coefficient and higher ambient temperature. However, applying the PCM exhibit a beneficial effect in the various liquid convective coefficients and heat generation powers. Increasing the liquid convective coefficient from 1098 W/(m2 K) to 2557 W/(m2 K), a highest temperature reduction of 27.01 °C is found. Adding the PCM to the thermal management system gives a maximum temperature reduction of 4.88 °C as the heat generation power increases from 60 W to 120 W, and the highest temperature of the charging module reduces from 100.05 °C to 94.29 °C with a decrease in maximum temperature of 5.76 °C as the shell emissivity increases from 0.1 to 0.9. A suitable PCM melting temperature is effective in controlling the temperature range of the charging module. These results will provide guidelines for the thermal management design of charging module, which is crucial for advancing the electric vehicles (EVs) adoption.

Keywords

• Fast charging piles
• Thermal management
• Phase change material
• Cooling