Hydrogen discharge simulation and testing of a metal-hydride container

The performance of a metal-hydride hydrogen storage container of cylindrical shape was experimentally and numerically evaluated at different discharge flow rates, following the discharge pressure as a function of time (discharge curve). The heat transfer in the radial direction was simulated by a one-dimensional finite difference method, subjected to the same conditions of the experimental measurements. The time evolution of the main thermodynamic parameters inside the container, was calculated by fitting the experimental results with the simulation. In addition, the sensitivity of the simulation with respect to the variation of the main parameters was assessed.