| 摘要 |
The purpose of this invention is to store hydrogen in the form of a metal hydride. The hydride is disposed on the surface of a plurality of metal fins which are attached to heat transfer tubes. The fins are closely spaced so that the weight of hydrogen stored per unit volume is high, approaching one pound per cubic foot. Because the formation of a metal hydride is quite exothermic, the rate of addition or removal of hydrogen to or from the hydride is limited by the ability of the apparatus to conduct heat to or from the hydride. The structure of the present invention provides for rapid heat transfer, so that the cell can be used in a heat pump, a hydrogen compressor, or to store hydrogen fuel for a vehicle. The invention includes embodiments wherein the heat transfer medium is either a liquid or a gas. The invention also comprises a new method of applying a metal or metal alloy, capable of forming a metal hydride, to a metal surface.
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