Research progress in liquid cooling technologies to enhance the thermal management of LIBs

With the rapid consumption of traditional fossil fuels and the exacerbation of environmental pollution, the replacement of fossil fuels by new energy sources has become a trend. Under this trend, lithium-ion batteries, as a new type of energy storage device, are attracting more and more attention and are widely used due to their many significant advantages. However, lithium-ion batteries are temperature-sensitive, and a battery thermal management system (BTMS) is an essential component of commercial lithium-ion battery energy storage systems. Liquid cooling, due to its high thermal conductivity, is widely used in battery thermal management systems. This paper first introduces thermal management of lithium-ion batteries and liquid-cooled BTMS. Then, a review of the design improvement and optimization of liquid-cooled cooling systems in recent years is given from three aspects: cooling liquid, system structure, and liquid-cooled hybrid system. In terms of cooling liquids, a review of different liquids, such as oil, electrical media, and added liquid metals and nanoparticles as different coolants, is given with regard to their performance and applications. In terms of the system structure, the research and advantages of different designs of cooling plates, coolant channels, and thermal jackets are introduced. In terms of liquid-cooled hybrid systems, the phase change materials (PCMs) and liquid-cooled hybrid thermal management systems with a simple structure, a good cooling effect, and no additional energy consumption are introduced, and a comprehensive summary and review of the latest research progress are given. The optimization of the lithium-ion battery liquid-cooled BTMS in the future is prospected. Based on our comprehensive review, we have outlined the prospective applications of optimized liquid-cooled Battery Thermal Management Systems (BTMS) in future lithium-ion batteries. This encompasses advancements in cooling liquid selection, system design, and integration of novel materials and technologies. These advancements provide valuable insights and knowledge for the progress and optimization of liquid-cooled cooling systems in the thermal management of lithium-ion batteries. This paper starts with lithium-ion battery thermal management using a liquid-cooled BTMS. It then reviews recent design improvements for liquid-cooled systems, covering cooling liquid, system structure, and hybrid setups. These insights enhance lithium-ion battery cooling system optimization.