Experimental study of metal–hydrogen reactor behavior during desorption under heating by electromagnetic induction

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study experimentally the behavior of a metal–hydrogen reactor (MHR) during hydrogen desorption by the LaNi5 hydride. The reactor is surrounded by a small coil traversed by an alternative sinusoidal current. The effect of the voltage applied to the coil is studied. Two kinds of tests are done. In the first one, the reactor is heated to the desired temperature and then it was put in contact with a tank at weak pressure (desorption), and in the second one, desorption and heating start simultaneously. Desorbed mass and temperature evolution within the hydride bed and in the reactor wall, as a function of time, are plotted. A comparison of results obtained by the electromagnetic induction heater and by heat exchanger provisioned by a hot fluid shows an improvement of the efficiency of the reactor when compared to the traditional hot system (fluid system).