A novel porous metal hydride tank for hydrogen energy storage and consumption assisted by PCM jackets and spiral tubes. (15th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ardahaie, S. Saedi; Hosseini, M.J.; Eisapour, M.; Eisapour, A.H.; Ranjbar, A.A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 311(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08-15
• Subjects: Hydrogen -- Absorption -- Desorption -- Metal hydride tank -- Spiral tube -- Latent heat; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Hydrogen energy storage through Metal Hydride (MH) reactors has various applications in concentrated solar powers and fuel cells for stationary applications in renewable energy systems. Hydrogen storage performance and consumption of these systems are strongly dependent on heat and mass transfer characteristics. Incorporating Phase Change Materials (PCMs) and spiral tube heat exchangers into metal hydride reactors improves storage performance significantly. The present paper includes a numerical investigation on the storage performance of a novel Porous Metal Hydride Tank (PMHT) integrated with PCM as a passive heat transfer system. Moreover, a heat exchanger with newly-offered Flat Spiral Tube Planes (FSTPs) is mounted into a reactor for heat transfer enhancement. The air as Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) flows into the metal reactor through a spiral tube to enhance the heat and mass transfer. The effects of various spiral configurations, different shapes, and thicknesses of PCM jackets on the absorption/desorption process of hydrogen are investigated in detail. Also, various inlet temperatures are applied to the system to examine its impact on the absorption/desorption process. According to the results, increasing the number of FSTPs along the PMHT reduces the absorption duration by 8%. Moreover, compared with PMHT without PCM, the absorption and desorption performance of PCM-based PMHT is improved by 44% and 20%, respectively. Furthermore, increasing and decreasing the air inlet temperature leads to a 43% and 47% reduction in total desorption and absorption duration, respectively. Finally, conical-shaped PCM-jackets are found to be capable of demonstrating better absorption and desorption performances. They offer the advantage of less PCM usage to provide even a higher performance than annulus PCM-jackets. In this regard, the conical-shaped PCM provides the means for the PMHT to reach its maximum hydrogen absorption by only 85% usage of its PCM volume. In comparison, annulus-shaped PCM uses 98% of its PCM volume to help the PMHT reach its maximum hydrogen absorption capability. Highlights: A 3D numerical study is carried out for a Novel Mg-based metal hydride tank. The reactor is equipped with a spiral tube heat exchanger and phase change material. Phase change materials can store and supply the reaction heat to the reactor. Secondary circulation of spiral tube has notable effect on heat transfer enhancement. Metal tank with conical-shaped phase change material has desirable performance.