Investigation of Thermal Aspects of Hydrogen Storage in a LaNi sub(5)-H sub(2) Reactor

Hydrogen absorption in a LaNi sub(5)-H sub(2) reactor was experimentally and numerically investigated. The objectives were to investigate the thermal aspects of the hydrogen storage in the reactor, and to study the heat and mass transfer during hydrogen absorption in a developed metal-hydride reactor. Experimental measurements were carried out on a cylindrical metal-hydride reactor filled with LaNi sub(5) alloy. The temperature changes in the reactor were measured at several locations and recorded in a computer. A two-dimensional mathematical model was established and solved numerically by the method of finite volume for the simulation. The numerical results were compared with the measured data to validate the mathematical model. It was found that mathematical model adequately captured the main physics of the hydriding process and could be employed for a better hydride bed design to reduce hydriding time.