The storage system developed in this experimental work is a prototype aimed at testing the feasibility of the HyCARE European project objective: to collect and provide renewable energy using hydrogen as an energy carrier, with metal hydrides (MH) for hydrogen storage and phase change materials (PCM) for thermal storage and management. This concept is validated by designing and testing an integrated system that couples a PCM module with an MH tank capable of storing up to 0.64 kg of H2, i.e., about 31 kg H2/m3. The solution of a PCM-based thermal buffering system for the MH absorption/desorption heat of reaction minimizes external energy reliance. By monitoring hydrogen pressure and flow, temperature profiles, and thermal vector fluid (TVF) flow rates during the experiments, the optimal starting conditions and requirements for gas and TVF flows are assessed to reduce external power inputs. From the results, it can be concluded that, with these settings, the PCM can store the heat generated/needed by the MH tank, and the external power supply is required only to compensate for heat losses, achieving a 35–41% net energy saving.
Experimental validation of an integrated Metal Hydride – Phase Change Material system for sustainable hydrogen and thermal energy storage
Capurso, Giovanni
Co-primo
;
2026-01-01
Abstract
The storage system developed in this experimental work is a prototype aimed at testing the feasibility of the HyCARE European project objective: to collect and provide renewable energy using hydrogen as an energy carrier, with metal hydrides (MH) for hydrogen storage and phase change materials (PCM) for thermal storage and management. This concept is validated by designing and testing an integrated system that couples a PCM module with an MH tank capable of storing up to 0.64 kg of H2, i.e., about 31 kg H2/m3. The solution of a PCM-based thermal buffering system for the MH absorption/desorption heat of reaction minimizes external energy reliance. By monitoring hydrogen pressure and flow, temperature profiles, and thermal vector fluid (TVF) flow rates during the experiments, the optimal starting conditions and requirements for gas and TVF flows are assessed to reduce external power inputs. From the results, it can be concluded that, with these settings, the PCM can store the heat generated/needed by the MH tank, and the external power supply is required only to compensate for heat losses, achieving a 35–41% net energy saving.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
