Thermal modeling and simulation of metal hydride cooling system

Present situation and status of research of metal hydride heat pumps were introduced. The thermodynamics process of hydride cooling, system was analyzed. A 2-dimensional model was made respectively. The dynamic mass and heat transfer process in hydride bed was analyzed. The performance parameters, such as refrigerating capacity and refrigerating coefficient of performance, were calculated and analyzed. The trends of various calculated parameters, such as hydrogen concentration and temperature in reaction bed, pressure and temperature of hydrogen gas, beat exchanged between reaction bed and heat transfer fluid, were analyzed when time changes. The effects on system coefficient of performance of all kinds of design parameters, such as thickness and conductivity of reaction bed, cycle time, were studied. It can be seen that low conductivity in hydride bed limits the performance of system evidently. Different measures should be taken to enhance the conductivity in bed. Continuous refrigerating capacity can be produced by two hydride systems.