Lithium ion batteries for auxiliary power units in transportation systems: from physical modeling to optimal operation

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The theme of this proposal is advancement of battery technology through physical modeling of materials, processes, and operation. The project supports the collaborating company, Cool-It Hi Way Services, in the development of battery-powered auxiliary power units (APUs) for heavy-duty transportation applications. These APUs allow idle-free power supply to provide heating, ventilation and air-conditioning needs during driving breaks. Growth of the idle-free APU market hinges on the development of advanced electrochemical power units (battery, fuel cell, supercapacitor) that enable markedly reduced cost, high energy efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and long operating time under typical climate and load conditions of heavy-duty vehicles. To achieve these practical goals, we will develop a hierarchical approach in physical modeling. Our model will integrate structural details and processes over a range of scales from active particles to electrodes and to battery cells. The central module of the model represents battery electrodes by a statistical particle model. A formalism based on Fokker-Planck theory will be employed to describe the dynamic particle population balance. This versatile formalism will allow leading causes of structural degradation, driven by chemical, mechanical and thermal stressors, to be incorporated. It will be linked in subsequent project phases to a 1D electrode model and a thermal module. Capacity and power fade, failure modes, and battery cycle life will be analyzed in dependence of initial battery layout and structure, external conditions provided and cycling protocols applied. Modeling insights will furnish the development of a new battery management system that will optimize the dynamic response of battery-based APUs. This tool, including a detailed documentation, will be provided to CIHWS in the form of an executable program. Moreover, we will develop a techno-economic cost-modeling tool for APUs in transportation systems that will incorporate results of the battery model.