Analysis and Optimization of Metal Hydride Reactors Heat Transfer Properties

Abstract

In this study, a metal hydride reactor was built as a temperature field test device. The temperature curve was then measured under various intake pressure and flow conditions, as well as after adding heat exchange fins, to determine the distribution trend and rule of the reactor's temperature field. The experimental results show that when hydrogen is charged at a constant intake pressure, the reactor's internal temperature rises rapidly, and the upper and lower bed temperature rises uniformly. When the intake pressure increases continuously, the maximum temperature of the inner and outer walls of the reactor becomes higher, and the hydrogenation reaction time is shorter. When hydrogen is charged at a constant intake rate, the temperature rise of the whole reactor is more stable, and the time for the bed to rise to the maximum temperature is longer. Still, the maximum temperature of the bed is lower than that of the full-flow hydrogen supply mode. Heat transfer fins can improve the heat transfer performance of the reactor, reduce the maximum temperature reached by the bed, and timely conduct excess heat in the reactor to the outer wall.