Performance analysis of metal hydride based simultaneous cooling and heat transformation system

Abstract The performance of metal hydrides based simultaneous cooling and heat transformation system (MHCHT) using a combination of La 0.9 Ce 0.1 Ni 5 –MmNi 4.4 Al 0.6 –MmNi 3.7 Co 0.7 Mn 0.3 Al 0.3 hydrides is evaluated. The MHCHT is thermodynamically analysed using statically and dynamically measured PCIs and thermodynamic properties. In addition, a set of governing equations is solved in order to study the heat and hydrogen transfer between the reaction beds. The experimental PCI measurement data are compared with the numerical results and a reasonably good agreement is observed between them. From the results, the slope and hysteresis factors are determined for further thermal analyses. It is observed that the performance parameters i.e. cooling capacity, heat transformation capacity and coefficient of performance (COP) of MHCHT are significantly decreased by 42.4%, 26.7% and 19.1% respectively when dynamic property data are considered compared to static property data. In addition, the thermodynamic cycle is analysed by considering the variation in pressure during hydrogen transfer process between the metal hydride beds.