Temperature uniformity analysis and transient performance of space Li-ion battery pack under different thermoelectric coolers arrangement

Space lithium-ion batteries (SLIB) bring challenges to the design of thermal management systems due to the harsh space environment as well as their high charge/discharge frequencies. In order to create a better thermal environment for on-orbit operation of SLIB, a high uniformity thermal management system employed thermoelectric coolers (TECs) and a microchannel cold plate is investigated by the finite element analysis method. The effects of different TECs arrangements as well as the working fluid mass flow rate are analyzed, and transient simulations are performed for extremely hot and cold environments. The results indicate that TECs dense arrangement is optimal when charging and discharged states are both considered. In discharged state, the TECs dense arrangement provides the best temperature control and the TECs moderate arrangement provides the best temperature uniformity. In charging state, the TECs sparse arrangement provides the best temperature control and the TECs dense arrangement provides the best temperature uniformity. Under ordinary environment, the temperature of SLIB can be controlled within 10–35 °C, with a steady-state maximum temperature difference of 2.13 °C. Under extremely hot environment, it takes 8600 s to cool the temperature of SLIB from 50 °C to 35 °C. Under extremely cold environment, it takes 6800 s to heat the temperature of SLIB from −10 °C to 10 °C. The maximum difference is not more than 4 °C throughout the simulation. This research considers the complex space environment where SLIB performs on-orbit missions, which is of great importance for ensuring the safe operation as well as enhancing the lifetime of SLIB, and it can also guide the design of thermal management systems for other electronic devices in space.