PARAMETRIC STUDIES ON HEAT AND MASS-TRANSFER IN METAL HYDRIDE BEDS

The mathematical modelling of metal hydride beds of rectangular configuration has been carried out. The coupled heat and hydrogen transfer that takes place during absorption/desorption processes has been described by non-linear, unsteady partial differential equations. All parameters have been non-dimensionalised, thereby making the analysis a generalised one. The important alloy properties and operating conditions have been varied over a large range to make the results applicable to a variety of alloys and operating conditions. The effect of the important non-dimensional parameters on heat and mass transfer is studied. The results show the importance of heat-transfer enhancement in view of the very low thermal conductivity of hydride beds and fast kinetics.