Heat Transfer in High-Pressure Metal Hydride Systems

High-pressure metal hydride vehicular hydrogen storage systems can offer good overall gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen densities. Enhanced heat transfer techniques will be essential to achieve established goals for tank filling times. A numerical model is developed to simulate the hydrogen filling process of a subscale high-pressure metal hydride (Ti1.1CrMn) system. The model is validated by comparison of simulated and experimental transient temperature profiles of both metal hydride and gas. The substantial influence of free convection in the system was discovered. As such, heat transfer enhancement by free convection is discussed and illustrated in a practical configuration.