Multi-physical thermofluidynamic simulations of hydrogen absorption performance in double-layered cylindrical ZrCo-based hydride beds

This work established a two-dimensional mathematical model to evaluate the thermofluidynamic behavior of a newly developed double-layered cylindrical ZrCo-based hydride bed during the hydrogenation reaction process. Numerical simulations by using COMSOL Multiphysics were conducted to solve the governing partial differential equations associated with chemical reaction and thermal transfer. Importantly, the local thermal nonequilibrium theory was applied to analyze the heat transfer between the ZrCo particle and hydrogen. Detailed analysis revealed the effects of operating conditions, material thermophysical properties, and the bed configuration, in addition to the ZrCo hydride particle sizes on hydrogen recovery characteristics. The simulation results indicated that increasing the heat transfer coefficient, reducing the coolant temperature, improving the thermal conductivity of the metal hydride, using the thinner hydride layer, and being equipped with copper fins were more beneficial to accelerate the heat transfer rate and the hydrogen charging rate of the metal hydride bed (MHB). Furthermore, along the radial direction, tremendous temperature gradient and distribution of absorbed hydrogen were found in the hydrogenated zones. The present model can effectively characterize the reaction kinetic mechanisms of ZrCo hydriding process as to further promote the practical application of the proposed MHB designs.

[1]  Zhanghua Wu,et al.  A continuous hydrogen absorption/desorption model for metal hydride reactor coupled with PCM as heat management and its application in the fuel cell power system , 2020 .

[2]  Jinsheng Xiao,et al.  Selection of phase change materials, metal foams and geometries for improving metal hydride performance , 2020 .

[3]  M. Kayfeci,et al.  Thermofluidynamic modelling of hydrogen absorption in metal hydride beds by using multiphysics software , 2020 .

[4]  S. D. Lewis,et al.  Numerical investigation of hydrogen absorption in a metal hydride reactor with embedded embossed plate heat exchanger , 2020 .

[5]  C. Bougriou,et al.  Heat and mass transfer during the storage of hydrogen in LaNi5-based metal hydride: 2D simulation results for a large scale, multi-pipes fixed-bed reactor , 2020 .

[6]  Prakash M. Maiya,et al.  Numerical Study of Solid State Hydrogen Storage System with Finned Tube Heat Exchanger , 2020, Heat Transfer Engineering.

[7]  Jinsheng Xiao,et al.  Analysis of hydrogen storage performance of metal hydride reactor with phase change materials , 2019, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

[8]  P. Bénard,et al.  Thermal management of metal hydride hydrogen storage reservoir using phase change materials , 2019, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

[9]  Geonhui Gwak,et al.  Analyzing effects of volumetric expansion of uranium during hydrogen absorption , 2017 .

[10]  Fusheng Yang,et al.  Improvement in hydrogen desorption performances of magnesium based metal hydride reactor by incorporating helical coil heat exchanger , 2016 .

[11]  M. Dahari,et al.  A review on the current progress of metal hydrides material for solid-state hydrogen storage applications , 2016 .

[12]  Changwen Hu,et al.  Effects of temperature and hydrogen pressure on the activation behavior of ZrCo , 2016 .

[13]  C. Chung,et al.  CFD investigation on performance enhancement of metal hydride hydrogen storage vessels using heat pipes , 2015 .

[14]  Changwen Hu,et al.  Experimental study on full-scale ZrCo and depleted uranium beds applied for fast recovery and delivery of hydrogen isotopes , 2015 .

[15]  Y. Rezgui,et al.  Mechanism of the sonochemical production of hydrogen , 2015 .

[16]  Haneul Yoo,et al.  Numerical Comparison of Hydrogen Desorption Behaviors of Metal Hydride Beds Based on Uranium and on Zirconium-Cobalt , 2015 .

[17]  K. Kim,et al.  Metal hydrides in engineering systems, processes, and devices: A review of non-storage applications , 2015 .

[18]  Fusheng Yang,et al.  Magnesium based metal hydride reactor incorporating helical coil heat exchanger: Simulation study and optimal design , 2014 .

[19]  Whangi Kim,et al.  A numerical comparison of hydrogen absorption behaviors of uranium and zirconium cobalt-based metal hydride beds , 2014 .

[20]  Johan Ko,et al.  A numerical investigation of hydrogen absorption phenomena in thin double-layered annulus ZrCo beds , 2013 .

[21]  Chien-Yuh Yang,et al.  Experimental study on the hydrogen charge and discharge rates of metal hydride tanks using heat pipes to enhance heat transfer , 2013 .

[22]  A. Bejan,et al.  Heat Transfer through a Porous Medium , 2013 .

[23]  A. Prasad,et al.  Hydrogen storage system based on hydride materials incorporating a helical-coil heat exchanger , 2012 .

[24]  Hyunchul Ju,et al.  Three-dimensional modeling and simulation of hydrogen absorption in metal hydride hydrogen storage vessels , 2012 .

[25]  A. Prasad,et al.  Hydrogen storage systems based on hydride materials with enhanced thermal conductivity , 2012 .

[26]  Min Ho Chang,et al.  Fabrication and test of thin double-layered annulus metal hydride bed , 2011 .

[27]  Yun Sei-Hun,et al.  Experimental Determination of Selected Thermo Physical Properties of ZrCo and ZrCoHx , 2011 .

[28]  F. Askri,et al.  Experimental study and characterization of metal hydride containers , 2011 .

[29]  T. Fisher,et al.  Active cooling of a metal hydride system for hydrogen storage , 2010 .

[30]  M. Ahn,et al.  Thermo-hydraulic analysis on in-bed calorimetry in a thin double-layered annulus metal hydride bed , 2009 .

[31]  L. Holmlid,et al.  Fusion reactions in high-density hydrogen: A fast route to small-scale fusion? , 2009 .

[32]  M. Ahn,et al.  Heat analysis on the initial reference design of ZrCo hydride beds for ITER , 2008 .

[33]  Brian Straughan,et al.  Convection in Porous Media , 2008 .

[34]  F. Laurencelle,et al.  Simulation of heat transfer in a metal hydride reactor with aluminium foam , 2007 .

[35]  D. K. Murdoch,et al.  ITER fuel cycle R&D: consequences for the design , 2006 .

[36]  J. Bloch.  The hydriding kinetics of activated uranium powder under low (near equilibrium) hydrogen pressure , 2003 .

[37]  T. Suzuki,et al.  Development of ZrCo Beds for ITER Tritium Storage and Delivery , 2002 .

[38]  Maobing Shuai,et al.  Hydrogen absorption–desorption properties of UZr0.29 alloy , 2002 .

[39]  K. Kim,et al.  Metal hydride compacts of improved thermal conductivity , 2001 .

[40]  Y. Naik,et al.  Zirconium–cobalt intermetallic compound for storage and recovery of hydrogen isotopes , 2001 .

[41]  N. Bekris,et al.  On the thermal stability of the zirconium/cobalt–hydrogen system , 2000 .

[42]  A. Jemni,et al.  Experimental and theoretical study of ametal–hydrogen reactor , 1999 .

[43]  R. Penzhorn,et al.  Hydrogen sorption rate by intermetallic compounds suitable for tritium storage , 1995 .

[44]  T. Nagasaki,et al.  Reversible disproportionation of ZrCo under high temperature and hydrogen pressure , 1995 .

[45]  Michel Devillers,et al.  Evaluation of ZrCo and other getters for Tritium handling and storage , 1990 .

[46]  J. Bloch,et al.  Kinetics and mechanism of the U-H reaction , 1981 .

[47]  Anthony G. Dixon,et al.  Theoretical prediction of effective heat transfer parameters in packed beds , 1979 .

[48]  N. Wakao,et al.  EFFECT OF FLUID DISPERSION COEFFICIENTS ON PARTICLE-TO-FLUID MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS IN PACKED BEDS. CORRELATION OF SHERWOOD NUMBERS , 1978 .

[49]  J. Reilly,et al.  Formation and properties of iron titanium hydride , 1974 .

[50]  E. Larson,et al.  Kinetics of the uranium‐hydrogen system , 1973 .