Experimental hydrogen sorption study on a LaNi<inf>5</inf>-based 5 kg reactor with novel conical fins and water tubes and its numerical scale-up through a modular approach

Hydrogen sorption characteristics of 5 kg-LaNi5 reactor featuring conical fins and heat transfer tubes is experimentally studied at various water flow rates (Vs:2.5, 5, 7 LPM), inlet temperatures (Ts:30, 25, 20 °C), hydrogen pressures (Ps:10, 15, 20, 25 bar). Higher Vs, Ps, and lower Ts yield faster absorption through higher driving force (∝ln (Ps/Peq), Peq: equilibrium pressure). Ninety percent absorption takes ∼12.3 and ∼13.7 min at Vs:7 and 2.5 LPM (Ps:15 bar, Ts:30 °C). Faster atmospheric desorption needs higher Ts and/or Vs offering higher driving force (∝ (1-(1/Peq)). 90% desorption takes ∼20.1 and ∼21.8 min for initial bed temperatures of 60 and 30 °C, (Vs:5 LPM, Ts:60 °C). Absorption of this ‘Single Reactor’ and five/ten (25/50 kg) such reactors in series and parallel are studied numerically. Series configuration stores five/ten-times hydrogen than ‘Single Reactor’ within the same duration by doubling/tripling Vs (same Ps, Ts). Parallel configuration requires proportional water supply.