Simulation of hydride heat pump operation

A mathematical model and set of software for computer simulation of operation metal hydride heat pumps (MHHP) are developed. The set of equations includes the non-stationary equations of energy conservation in hydride sorbers taking into account thermal effects at absorption/desorption of hydrogen, heat exchange of sorbers with external heat-carriers and sorber design features (materials and sizes of walls, filters, high-temperature inserts, etc.) Experimental data on equilibrium isotherms are used in metal alloy-hydrogen systems. The various factors (the power of heating, temperature of heat-carriers, heating time, etc.) can be used for operational control of the pump. The results of calculations determine the temporary cyclogram of hydride heat pump operation: temperatures of design units, content of hydrogen in sorbers, pressure of hydrogen, heat hows to external heat-carriers and main power parameters-duration of the cycle, developed thermal power and efficiency. On the basis of variant calculations, there is the operative possibility to investigate an influence of various parameters, defining a construction and operation of the heat pump, which is important at the stage of designing, and at optimisation of operational modes of the pump. (C) 1999 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.