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Design of a Metal Hydride Cartridge Heated by PEMFC Exhaust

Author

Listed:
  • Tomoya Ezawa

    (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan)

  • Shan Miao

    (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan)

  • Koki Harano

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan)

  • Masami Sumita

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan)

  • Noboru Katayama

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan)

  • Kiyoshi Dowaki

    (Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan)

Abstract

This study investigates the structure of a metal hydride (MH) cartridge as a hydrogen storage tank for small-scale fuel cells (FCs). This cartridge is designed to be stacked and used in layers, allowing flexible capacity adjustment according to demand. MH enables compact and safe hydrogen storage for small-scale fuel cell (FC) applications due to its high energy density and low-pressure operation. However, because hydrogen desorption from MH is an endothermic reaction, an external heat supply is required for stable performance. To enhance both the heat transfer efficiency and cartridge usability, we propose a heat supply method that utilizes waste heat from an air-cooled proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The proposed cartridge incorporates four cylindrical MH tanks that require uniform heat transfer. Therefore, we proposed the tank arrangements within the cartridge to minimize the non-uniformity of heat transfer distribution on the surface. The flow of exhaust air from the PEMFC into the cartridge was analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In addition, an empirical correlation for the Nusselt number was developed to estimate the heat transfer coefficient. As a result, it was concluded that the heat utilization rate of the exhaust heat flowing into the cartridge was 13.2%.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomoya Ezawa & Shan Miao & Koki Harano & Masami Sumita & Noboru Katayama & Kiyoshi Dowaki, 2025. "Design of a Metal Hydride Cartridge Heated by PEMFC Exhaust," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:13:p:3399-:d:1689387
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Chung, C.A. & Yang, Su-Wen & Yang, Chien-Yuh & Hsu, Che-Weu & Chiu, Pai-Yuh, 2013. "Experimental study on the hydrogen charge and discharge rates of metal hydride tanks using heat pipes to enhance heat transfer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 581-587.
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