Numerical Simulation of Fins' Effect on the Performance of a Metal Hydride Reactor

Numerical analysis has been performed to study the effect of adding fins to a LaNi5 metal hydride reactor on the heat transfer and performance of the reactor. with a focus on the two-dimensional aspect. The governing equations for the absorption process were obtained, taking into account the principles of mass, heat, and momentum conservation. To solve the mathematical model, the Finite Volume Method with the Alternating Direction Implicit (ADI) technique were employed. The calculation code was edited in Fortran language. The results showed that the addition of fins could significantly enhance the heat transfer and performance of the reactor. Specifically, the study found that adding fins with a larger number leads to faster hydrogen absorption rates. Moreover, the addition of fins was found to improve the temperature distribution within the reactor. The study also investigated the effect of different fin dimensions on the heat transfer and performance of the reactor. The results showed that increasing the fin height and thickness could further enhance the heat transfer and performance of the reactor. As conclusion, the results demonstrate that adding fins to the reactor can significantly improve its heat transfer and performances. The findings suggest that optimizing the number and geometry of fins can enhance the efficiency of metal hydride reactor.