Parallel Cooling Branch Thermal Management for Battery Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal management systems for batteries face challenges in efficiently adjusting cooling capacity, leading to high energy consumption and difficulty in meeting varying cooling demands, which affects the service life and safety of battery cells.
Innovation Solution
A thermal management system with multiple cooling branches connected in parallel, featuring adjustable cooling capacity and incorporating variable-frequency compressors, along with a heating branch, to dynamically adjust cooling and heating capacities based on demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling systems are used, then cooling speed and heat exchange efficiency are improved, but investment cost and operating cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal management system is divided into multiple independent cooling branches (first cooling branch, second cooling branch, third cooling branch) that can operate independently or in combination. Each branch has its own compressor and flow control valve, allowing selective activation based on cooling demands, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining effective cooling capability.
2Temperature
If liquid cooling systems are used, then heat exchange coefficient is improved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates variable frequency compressors and electronic expansion valves in each cooling branch that can dynamically adjust their operating parameters based on real-time cooling demands. The flow control valves in each branch independently regulate refrigerant flow rates, enabling flexible and precise control of cooling capacity without requiring complex centralized control systems.
3Power
If multiple cooling branches are operated simultaneously, then cooling capacity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows selective operation of cooling branches based on actual cooling demands. When full cooling capacity is not required, only one or two cooling branches are activated rather than all three, reducing energy consumption while still meeting the cooling requirements. The control system activates the minimum necessary cooling capacity to avoid excessive energy use.
4Reliability
If cooling capacity is increased to meet peak demands, then temperature control reliability is improved, but energy loss increases under partial load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses variable frequency compressors that can continuously adjust their operating frequency and refrigerant flow rates to match actual cooling demands. Electronic expansion valves precisely control the refrigerant flow parameters in each branch, allowing the system to operate efficiently across a wide range of cooling loads rather than being restricted to fixed capacity operation, thereby reducing energy losses during partial load conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances thermal management efficiency, reduces energy loss, and extends the service life of battery cells by accurately meeting cooling and heating requirements under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the heat exchange medium is coolant liquid, which offers advantages such as high heat capacity, high heat exchange coefficient, and fast cooling speed
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to the field of batteries, and provides a thermal management system and a control method therefor, an energy storage system, and an electric apparatus. The thermal management system comprises a first confluence unit, a second confluence unit, a thermal management unit, and an adjustment apparatus. The first confluence unit comprises at least one liquid outlet; the second confluence unit comprises at least one liquid return port; the thermal management unit comprises a plurality of refrigerating branches, and the plurality of refrigerating branches are respectively in fluid connection with the first confluence unit and the second confluence unit in a parallel mode; the adjustment apparatus is used for adjusting the refrigerating capacity of at least one refrigerating branch among the plurality of refrigerating branches.