Thermally driven refrigeration system utilizing metal hydrides
US5351493A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1992 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/32
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This system utilizes three kinds of metal hydrides, MH1, MH2, and MH3, having the highest, an intermediate, and the lowest equilibrium hydrogen pressures, respectively, in the order mentioned, each kind of metal hydrides being enclosed in two sets of respective metal-hydride containers. While hydrogen flows from the metal hydride MH3 to the metal hydrides MH2 and MH1 in one set, hydrogen flows from the metal hydrides MH2 and MH1 metal hydride MH3 in other set such that the cold heat generated by hydrogen dissociation from the metal hydride MH2 in said other set is utilized to cool the metal hydride MH1 of said one set for efficient hydrogen absorption by the metal hydride MH1, and the cold heat generated by hydrogen dissociation from the metal hydride MH1 of said other set is provided for refrigeration. The two cycles operations are repeated interchangeablly between the two sets, enabling the system to maintain high operating hydrogen pressures associated with exothermic dissociation of hydrogen and allows continuous provision of cold heat for refrigeration at a temperature lower than conventional temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.