SK On, SK Enmove to showcase fireproofing solution for EV batteries
SK On said Sunday that it will showcase an advanced thermal management solution for electric vehicle batteries with SK Enmove, its sister company under SK Innovation, at the upcoming battery exhibition in Seoul.
The company's battery pack, currently under development with the lubricant supplier, features 'immersion cooling technology' that enhances cooling efficiency through an optimized fluid flow design, maximizing the contact area between thermal fluids and cells.
Immersion cooling is a thermal management solution that effectively dissipates heat by circulating insulating thermal fluids within the battery pack. By directly interacting with the battery cells' surface, this method prevents temperature increases more efficiently than indirect cooling methods like air or liquid cooling and significantly reduces the risk of fires or explosions.
SK On plans to leverage this technology in its wireless battery management system, or BMS. Unlike conventional BMS setups that require wiring harnesses and connectors, the company attached a wireless chip to the cell tabs, transmitting cell data via antennae embedded within the battery module. This innovation addresses the issue of wires in the traditional BMS that can disrupt the flow of thermal fluids and affect cooling performance.
'The wireless BMS, combined with immersion cooling technology, boasts a simple structure and high physical stability, reducing the risk of fluid leakage while improving its waterproof features,' stated SK On.
In addition, the system can boost energy density with the extra space taken up by physical wires. The wireless device will likely enhance reliability as it eliminates defects in cables and connectors caused by vehicle vibrations.
The wireless battery control system is also expected to accelerate the adoption of the 'Battery Passport.' Proposed by the Global Battery Alliance ― an international organization with over 170 governments and companies ― in 2020, the passport is a digital record providing comprehensive information about a battery's life cycle, including manufacturing details, history and recycling data.
'We anticipate a rising demand for wireless BMS and immersion cooling, driven by the increasing importance of safety as EV adoption accelerates,' said Park Ki-soo, head of SK On's R&D division. 'SK On will spearhead the battery safety solution industry and continue contributing to mobility electrification through technological innovation.'
The InterBattery expo this year, held in Gangnam, Seoul from Wednesday to Friday, will feature major South Korean battery-makers LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI and SK On, along with China's BYD and EVE, which will be attending for the first time.
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