Design of a Hydrogen Compressor Powered by Accumulated Heat and Generated in Metal Hydrides

Abstract

The proposed article describes a compressor design for using the heat generated in the hydrogen absorption process into the metal alloy during compression. The absorption of hydrogen into the alloy occurs after the desired pressure has been achieved, whereby the catalytic effect of the used metals to dissociate the hydrogen molecule and the subsequent diffusion of the hydrogen atoms into the intermetallic space of the lattice occur. The absorption process is accompanied by a gradual increase in pressure up to the total saturation value of the metal. The equilibrium pressure at which the absorption occurs is highly dependent on the temperature of the alloy. The difference in the equilibrium pressures of MH materials at an acceptable temperature change has led to efforts of creating a hydrogen compressor that would use MH heating and refrigeration heat cycle.