Otimização multiobjetivo aplicada no projeto de um sistema de gerenciamento térmico de baterias de íons de lítio para veículos elétricos urbanos de pequeno porte

Abstract

Battery thermal management systems (BTMS) are key to controlling the temperature of lithium-ion battery packs. In the case of electric vehicles, battery cells release a large amount of heat during high-current discharge, and the accumulation of heat aggravates the temperature difference between them. Excessive heat can cause serious safety problems and negatively impact the performance of the pack during use and during its useful life. This work presents the development and evaluation of a multiobjective optimization method for the design of a passive BTMS using phase change materials (PCM) in small urban electric vehicles. The justification for this research lies in the growing demand for efficient and cost-effective solutions for the thermal management of lithium-ion batteries, which are essential for the performance and safety of electric vehicles. The main objective was to develop a method that allows optimizing the BTMS parameters to achieve a balance between thermal control and operational efficiency. The applied method included a literature review, elaboration of a quality house matrix, numerical simulations with ANSYS Fluent software, CAD parameterization, mesh independence study, multiphysics simulations, and a multiobjective optimization using ANSYS DesignXplorer and modeFRONTIER. The results showed that the use of PCM is effective in stabilizing battery temperatures, reducing heat spikes and extending battery life, compared to systems without PCM. Furthermore, this optimization method has potential for application in other battery pack configurations and different products. It was concluded that the proposed method not only meets the research objectives but also presents an original and relevant contribution to the field of study, demonstrating the feasibility of PCM-based solutions for the thermal management of batteries in electric vehicles. This work reinforces the importance of innovative strategies in the development of more efficient and sustainable technologies, aligning with the needs of the competitive market and contemporary environmental requirements.