CFD Modeling of Ni-H2 Batteries with Convection

Investigators: C.Y. Wang, Rebecca Cullion, W.B. Gu
Sponsor: NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The objective of this project is to extend an existing NASA/JPL cell model to fully account for coupled thermal and electrochemical behaviors of aerospace Ni-H2 batteries. The extended model is multi-dimensional and includes not only complex electrochemical reactions, gas evolution and non-isothermality but also gas dynamics within the entire battery vessel. Comprehensive computer simulation is performed using a computational fluid dynamics technique adapted to electrochemical systems. The CFD model can be used for design and optimization of aerospace Ni-H2 batteries.