Lithium ion cell modeling using orthogonal collocation on finite elements

The physics-based pseudo two-dimensional (P2D) model for lithium ion cells requires significant computation time. To reduce this burden, the orthogonal collocation on finite elements (OCFE) method is applied here. The number of node points both in the macro-scale and in the micro-scale in the P2D model is reduced by optimally locating the node points. This OCFE method is shown to be better than other approximate methods for the spherical diffusion equation with flux boundary conditions. This OCFE method is also used to solve the P2D model equations and the results are compared to those obtained from COMSOL (a commercial differential/algebraic equation solver using FEM).

► The OCFE method was applied to efficiently solve the diffusion equation in a solid particle.
► The OCFE method was compared to some other methods for the diffusion equation in a solid particle.
► The OCFE method was used to solve the P2D model to reduce the computation time.