A Numerical Study of the Suitability of Phase-Change Materials for Battery Thermal Management in Flight Applications

Battery pack specific energy, which can be enhanced by minimising the mass of battery thermal management system (BTMS), is a limit on electric fixed-wing flight applications. In this paper, use phase-change materials (PCMs) for BTMSs numerically explored in 3D domain, including an equivalent circuit model. A parametric study PCM properties effective conducted typical one-hour flight. PCMs maintain ideal operating temperature (288.15 K–308.15 K) throughout entire pack. The absorbs heat generated during takeoff, subsequently used to cell cruise phase control case (no BTMS), temperatures fall below range. We conduct highlighting insignificance conductivity BTMS performance, with negligible enhancement observed across tested window (0.1–10 W m−1 K−1). However, PCM’s latent fusion critical. Developers battery-powered must focus fusion, regardless adverse effect conductivity. long-haul flight, elongated and higher altitude exasperate problem. unique characteristics offer passive low-mass solution that merits further investigation