Volume 39: Energy Transitions toward Carbon Neutrality: Part II

Simulation-Driven Optimization of Metal Hydride-Packed Hydrogen Storage Systems for Enhanced Performance Marco Maggini, Andrea L. Facci, Giacomo Falcucci, Stefano Ubertini

Abstract

Hydrogen, especially when stored within Metal Hydride (MH) containers, exhibits significant potential for energy storage. One of the primary challenges associated with using metal hydrides is their efficient thermal management. This can be addressed by incorporating an appropriate Phase Change Material (PCM) into the MH container, eliminating the need for additional active systems.In this study, we perform numerical assessments on the performance of hybrid MH-PCM storage systems with varying aspect ratios. Numerical simulations indeed play a crucial role in designing, managing, and improving this technology. This evaluation aids in identifying instances where multi-dimensional phenomena can be disregarded, allowing simplified 1D models to be used. We evaluate different cylindrical layouts of the hybrid MH-PCM hydrogen storage system concerning process duration, temperature distributions, and power. We identify a critical aspect ratio for the canister, beyond which relatively straightforward one-dimensional simulations can be employed without compromising outcomes. Moreover, we highlight that the overall time required for absorption and desorption reactions is notdramatically influenced by the discretization method, suggesting the practicality of relying on one-dimensional models especially when process evolution is not the focal point.

Keywords renewable energy resources, hydrogen technologies, energy systems, hydrogen storage, phase change material, metal hydride