Comparative performance analysis of finned and metal foam metal hydride reactors for efficient heating and cooling operations

IF 5.1 3区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Pub Date : 2025-03-03 DOI:10.1016/j.tsep.2025.103473

Akshini More , Abhishek Parida , P. Muthukumar , Pankaj Kalita , Amaresh Dalal

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of a 2-D axisymmetric simulation study that compares the finned reactor to the metal foam reactor, both of which carry the same amount of metal hydride. It also addresses the variation of metal foam reactor’s sorption performance due to different porosities and its heating/cooling effect at different absorption/desorption temperatures. The comparison of the fin and metal foam reactors is based on the amount of hydrogen absorbed/desorbed throughout the absorption/desorption processes and the variation in bed temperature. Additionally, the sorption behaviour of the metal foam reactor is analysed at different bed porosities (0.85–0.95). It is observed that there is a significant improvement in the performance of the sorption behaviour of the MH bed augmented with metal foam. However, compared to the finned reactor, the weight ratio and volumetric energy density are lower by 21.9% and 9.7%, respectively. Also, it is observed that the volume of the MH reactor increased by almost 11 % to accommodate an identical amount of alloy, thereby compromising the volumetric density. The metal foam porosity of 0.85 exhibits the best absorption and desorption performance. The metal foam reactor filled with Mm_0.2La_0.6Ca_0.2Ni₅ achieved a maximum cooling rate of 1.8 kW and a minimum bed temperature of 254.5 K for the desorption temperature of 308 K. For an absorption temperature of 278 K, the same alloy yielded a maximum heating rate of 1.1 kW. The study revealed that the metal foam reactors can be utilized for both cooling and heating applications.

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来源期刊

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

10.40%

发文量

327

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Thermal Science and Engineering Progress (TSEP) publishes original, high-quality research articles that span activities ranging from fundamental scientific research and discussion of the more controversial thermodynamic theories, to developments in thermal engineering that are in many instances examples of the way scientists and engineers are addressing the challenges facing a growing population – smart cities and global warming – maximising thermodynamic efficiencies and minimising all heat losses. It is intended that these will be of current relevance and interest to industry, academia and other practitioners. It is evident that many specialised journals in thermal and, to some extent, in fluid disciplines tend to focus on topics that can be classified as fundamental in nature, or are ‘applied’ and near-market. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress will bridge the gap between these two areas, allowing authors to make an easy choice, should they or a journal editor feel that their papers are ‘out of scope’ when considering other journals. The range of topics covered by Thermal Science and Engineering Progress addresses the rapid rate of development being made in thermal transfer processes as they affect traditional fields, and important growth in the topical research areas of aerospace, thermal biological and medical systems, electronics and nano-technologies, renewable energy systems, food production (including agriculture), and the need to minimise man-made thermal impacts on climate change. Review articles on appropriate topics for TSEP are encouraged, although until TSEP is fully established, these will be limited in number. Before submitting such articles, please contact one of the Editors, or a member of the Editorial Advisory Board with an outline of your proposal and your expertise in the area of your review.