Theoretical performance of an adsorbed natural gas storage system subjected to variable charge–discharge conditions

Abstract

A transient heat and mass transfer model is developed to simulate the performance of an adsorbed natural gas (ANG) storage system subjected to variable charge and discharge conditions. The obtained results are applicable for internal combustion engines with natural gas as the fuel. The ANG system performance is presented in terms of delivery capacity. Results are obtained for the cases of (i) constant pressure charging with a constant flow discharging and (ii) constant flow charging and discharging. Results show the importance of improving the heat transfer performance of the reactor, particularly at high specific gas flow rates. From the second law analysis of the system, it is seen that significant internal entropy generation occurs at high specific flow rate and low heating fluid temperatures. Based on the minimum specific entropy generation criterion, the optimum heating fluid temperatures for different ranges of specific flow rate of the adsorbate are found.