Investigation on fin cooling for lithium-polymer batteries

Abstract

Purpose Lithium-polymer batteries have common usage in aviation industry especially unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Overheating is a serious problem in lithium-polymer batteries. Various cooling methods are performed to keep lithium-polymer batteries in the desired temperature range. The purpose of this paper is to examine pouch type lithium-polymer battery with plate fins by using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for UAV. Design/methodology/approach Battery models were produced with a 3D printer. The upper surfaces of fabricated battery models were covered with plate fins with different fin heights and fin thicknesses. Velocities were obtained with PIV and CFD. Temperature dissipations were acquired with numerical simulations. Findings At the end of the study, the second battery model gave the lowest temperature values among the battery models. Temperature values of the seventh battery model were the highest temperatures. Fin cooling reduced the maximum cell temperatures noticeably. Numerical simulations agreed with PIV measurements well. Practical implications This paper takes into account two essential tools such as PIV and CFD, for fluid mechanics, which are significant in the aviation industry and engineering life. Originality/value The originality of this paper depends on investigation of both PIV and CFD for UAV and developing a cooling method that can be feasible for landing and take-off phases for UAV.