Numerical simulation of heat and mass transfer during hydrogen desorption in metal hydride storage tank by Lattice Boltzmann method

This paper presents a two-dimensional mathematical model to evaluate transient heat and mass transfer during hydrogen desorption in a metal hydride storage tank. Simulation has been done by the use of Lattice Boltzmann method with D2Q9 structure. This method has not been used in almost all previous studies about hydrogen desorption. A study of operating parameters such as: heating fluid temperature, outlet pressure and convection heat transfer coefficient between fluid and metal hydride tank has been carried out to identify their influences on performance of desorption process. Heating fluid temperature has a significant influence on desorption process. With rise in fluid temperature, hydrogen desorption increases dramatically due to considerable increase in bed temperature. Besides, decrease in outlet pressure results a remarkable faster desorption. Hydrogen desorption would be enhanced until a definite amount of convection coefficient.