Lithium ion batteries represent a well established technology in a range of applications (laptops, mobile phones, etc.) but they are becoming key factors in many other areas were reliability and safety are of paramount importance (e.g. the space and automobile industries). However, a number of drawbacks still raise concerns about their wider use and hamper a more structured introduction in these additional applications.
Due to their characteristic of providing high energy density and long cycle life, Li-ion batteries are being widely used as power sources for a range of applications, including electric vehicles. The temperature of a Li-ion cell is important for its performance, capacity, efficiency and safety, and it is strongly influenced by the charging and discharging process modalities. Especially during electric vehicle operation, considerable heat is generated in the battery pack that needs to be removed.
This paper describes a set of experimental tests carried out to better understand the thermal behavior of Lithium-ion batteries under load and the capability of various cooling fluids in maintaining the working conditions within a safe range for the cells. Despite several theoretical models are available in the literature, very few experimental data are reported. Different types of cells have been analyzed.
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