A NEW EXPERIMENTAL DEVICE FOR ANALYZING THE THERMOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF METAL-HYDRIDES USED IN THERMAL ENGINES

Chemical heat pumps are one of several applications of metal hydride alloys. The use of the material for heat engines requires a precise knowledge of the thermochemical properties: absorption desorption kinetics, isotherms, hysteresis effects, mass of hydrogen and heat transfer. In order to study these properties, an experimental apparatus controlled by a microcomputer has been devised. It consists essentially of a furnace which is temperature programmed coupled to a microcalorimeter via a high pressure device. This system allows a simulation of the various steps encountered during the cycles which the heat engine undergoes.