Dehydrogenation of Metal Hydride Reactor-Phase Change Materials Coupled with Light-Duty Fuel Cell Vehicles

The popularity of using phase change materials (PCMs) for heat storage and recovery metal hydrides’ reaction has grown tremendously. However, a fundamental study the coupling such system with low-temperature PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell is still lacking. This work presents numerical investigation dehydrogenation performance hydride reactor (MHR)-PCM coupled cell. It shown that to supply constant H2 flow rate, PCM properties need be in an optimized range. effects some design parameters (PCM freezing point, initial desorption temperature, nature size PCM) on MHR-PCM are discussed detail. results showed could hydrogen at 12 NL/min only 20 min maximum due significant endothermic effect occurring MHR. reducing requested flowrate 5.5 NL/min, prolonged 79 min. Moreover, this can accommodate different PCMs as paraffin salt hydrates comparable performance. demonstrates ability systems used range extenders light-duty vehicles.