Topology optimization of fluid channels for thermal management of hydrogen storage and release processes in metal hydrides reactors

The low thermal conductivity of hydrogen storage materials significantly limits the reaction rate of hydrogen storage and release in metal hydrides reactors. In present paper, a heat transfer fluid channel was designed by topology optimization method to enhance the heat transfer performance and increase the hydrogen storage and release rates. Firstly, a series of channel structures were obtained through two-dimensional topology optimization, then they were embedded into metal hydride reaction beds by three-dimensional reconstruction. The hydrogen storage and release performance of different reaction beds were analyzed, the most effective bed structure was derived and compared with the finned bed. The results show that the hydrogen storage and release time of the designed fluid channel reaction bed is 31.5% and 24.4% less than the finned bed. Lastly, the hydrogen storage and release performance of the designed reaction bed under different operating conditions were examined. The appropriate operation conditions were derived: for hydrogen storage, hydrogen pressure of 1.0 MPa, HTF inlet velocity of 0.25 m s −1 and inlet temperature of 293 K; for hydrogen release, hydrogen pressure of 0.1 MPa, HTF inlet velocity of 0.25 m s −1 and inlet temperature of 363 K. Moreover, the reaction bed designed by topology optimization has obvious advantages and shows better hydrogen storage and release performance compared to finned reactors under various operating conditions. • A reactor structure for hydrogen storage is obtained by topology optimization. • The absorption and desorption time of optimized reactor is 31.5% and 24.4% less than the finned reactor. • The appropriate operation conditions for hydrogen storage and release are obtained. • The optimized reactor has better performance than finned reactors under various conditions.