Experimental analysis of compact heat pipe-assisted hybrid fin design for pouch-type battery preheating conditions

This study proposes a battery thermal management system with a compact design and the capability for both cooling and heating functions. A novel heat pipe-assisted hybrid fin design is proposed to effectively cooling lithium-ion batteries, as well as preheating them in low temperature conditions. Comparative analysis with conventional plain fin, involving variations in coolant temperature, flow rate, and ambient temperature, assess the performance of the proposed design. Application of the hybrid fin to the thermal management system results in a noteworthy 13.6 K increase in the minimum battery temperature compared to the plain fin. Additionally, the hybrid fin design reduces the battery temperature difference of the battery by 8.1 K, showcasing its efficacy in preheating under various conditions. Thermal distribution analysis confirms uniform heat distribution within each section of the battery and fin. Notably, the hybrid fin reduces the imbalance between the top and bottom sections of the battery and provides 40% higher overall heat supply compared to the plain fin. Employing the dimensionless Fourier number and Colburn j factor affirm preheating efficiency in the proposed design. Additionally, through cooling experiments conducted to manage heat generated during battery charging, hybrid fin has demonstrated effectiveness in battery cooling as well.