Two different ways to dissipate heat in a battery pack

Air cooling, in simple terms, is a heat dissipation method that uses wind power to cool the battery. It uses low-temperature air as a medium and relies on organized air convection to reduce the temperature on the surface of the battery cell. In this process, the temperature difference between the batteries can also be effectively controlled. Specifically, the fan on the front panel of the PACK plays a key role. It pumps air with heat on the surface of the battery cell to the air outlet, thereby forming an internal wind circulation. This heat dissipation method can meet the needs of some equipment to a certain extent, especially those scenarios where the heat dissipation requirements are not so strict.

However, air cooling also has its obvious shortcomings. Its heat dissipation effect is greatly affected by factors such as ambient temperature and air circulation. When the ambient temperature is high, it is more difficult to obtain low-temperature air, and the heat dissipation effect will be greatly reduced; if the air circulation is not smooth, heat exchange cannot be carried out effectively. Therefore, air cooling is not suitable for high-power and high-density equipment. These devices will generate a lot of heat during operation, and more efficient heat dissipation methods are required to ensure their stable operation and long life. In general, although air cooling has the advantages of simple structure and low cost, when choosing a heat dissipation method, it is still necessary to make comprehensive considerations based on the specific needs of the equipment.

Liquid cooling is an advanced battery pack heat dissipation method, which mainly reduces the temperature of the battery pack through the convection of the coolant, and can also effectively control the temperature difference between the cells. In the design of the PACK box, an aluminum die-casting mold is used, so that the cooling channel and the box can be integrally formed on the mold. In addition, combined with the stir friction welding process, a closed coolant cavity is successfully formed at the bottom of the box, which is a liquid cooling plate from the perspective of components. This design can ensure that the coolant flows efficiently in the system and provide strong protection for heat dissipation.

A thermal conductive silicone pad with a high thermal conductivity coefficient is added to the middle interlayer inside the box that contacts the battery cell. In this way, the heat emitted by the battery cell is first transferred to the thermal conductive silicone pad, and then further conducted to the liquid cooling plate at the bottom of the box. As the coolant circulates in the liquid cooling plate, the heat is discharged from the water cooler to the external environment, thereby effectively controlling the heating temperature of the battery cell. In addition to the use of thermal conductive silicone pads, cold gel can also be applied to the liquid cooling plate, which can also have a good thermal conductivity.

Liquid cooling has many advantages, excellent heat dissipation effect, can quickly and effectively reduce the temperature of the battery pack, ensure that the battery works within a suitable temperature range, and has very high stability. However, it also has certain shortcomings. The cost of liquid cooling is relatively high, not only the cost of hardware equipment such as liquid cooling plates, but also the cost and manpower required for the subsequent maintenance of the liquid circulation system. Moreover, once the liquid circulation system fails, it may have a greater impact on the normal operation of the battery. Therefore, when choosing a heat dissipation method, it is necessary to comprehensively consider various factors and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of liquid cooling in order to select the most suitable heat dissipation solution for a specific application scenario.

In summary, air cooling and liquid cooling have their own advantages and disadvantages as the main heat dissipation methods for battery packs. Air cooling has a simple structure and low cost, but the heat dissipation effect is easily affected by the environment and is not suitable for high-power and high-density equipment. Liquid cooling has good heat dissipation effect and high stability, but it is expensive and requires maintenance of the liquid circulation system. In actual applications, the most appropriate heat dissipation method should be selected based on the specific needs of the energy storage equipment, such as power, environmental conditions, cost budget and other factors, to ensure reliable battery pack performance and stable equipment operation, providing strong technical support for the development of the energy field.