Applications of Metal Hydride Materials for Hydrogen Compression

The article describes the compressor prototype which for hydrogen compression uses the chemical-thermal cycles of absorption and desorption of hydrogen into the intermetallic structure of metal. The used concept of a hydrogen compressor consists in the use of a suitable metal alloy which allows absorb hydrogen in its structure at low temperature and pressure. After heating up of alloy occurs to significant increase of pressure, what allows to compress hydrogen without its direct contact with moving parts. This principle of hydrogen compress provides safety of the process. The hydrogen compressor consists of a pair of tandem-connected metal hydride (MH) tanks with an integrated heat exchanger. The tanks are alternately heated and cooled whereby at the hydrogen absorption on one tank occurs to hydrogen desorption in second tank. Heat transport is made by heat pump for heating up and cooling is done, thanks to which saves considerable part of electricity.