Hydrogen Storage with Annular LaNi5 Metal Hydride Pellets

Abstract

Thermal conduction capability of metal hydrides can be enhanced by 400 ~ 500% through pelletizing the metal hydride powder after a well-controlled copper-coating treatment. In this paper, pelletized LaNi5 metal hydride is studied to evaluate its heat transfer performance and hydrogen absorption rate. In order to analyze the transient heat transfer and hydriding reaction, numerical simulations are carried out based on a multiple-physics modeling. The reactor temperature variation and the dimensionless mass of absorbed hydrogen are plotted for different hydrogen gas supply pressures. The results are compared with the conventional powder-type metal hydride reactor.