Thermal Management of Lithium/Sulphur Cells Using a Simple 2D Model

Desmond Adair1, Kairat Ismailov1, Yerzhan Massalin1,2, and Zhumabay Bakenov1,2

1. Nazarbayev University, Republic of Kazakhstan

2. Institute of Batteries, Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract: Lithium sulphur (Li/S) batteries are currently receiving significant attention as an alternative power source for zero-emission vehicles and advanced electronic devices due to the very high theoretical specific capacity of the sulphur cathode. Here a simple 2D transient method for the simulation of thermal characteristics of a lithium/sulfur cell is developed. The method is capable of determining the transient response of the thermal field. The heat sources associated with charging and discharging are estimated from experimental data and used as boundary conditions, and the simulations are performed at different charge and discharge current rates. The simulations were carried out for natural cooling.

Key words: lithium-ion battery, lithium/sulphur cells, natural cooling