Method and apparatus for hydride heat pumps

摘要

The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method to increase the coefficient of performance (COP) of hydride heat pump systems to compete with the performance of conventional vapor compression and absorption refrigeration systems. The disclosure is particularly directed to hydrides with van't Hoff curves that cross, whereby the regeneration of the refrigerant hydride occurs at a temperature above the crossing, thereby allowing for a major fraction of the energy required for the regeneration to be supplied by the heat of absorption of the refrigerant. Additionally, the COP can be increased by selection of hydrides, and the kinetics of the system can be improved by the use of heat pipes and phase change materials.