MATHEMATICAL-MODELING FOR THE DISCHARGE OF A METAL HYDRIDE ELECTRODE

A mathematical model for the discharge of a metal-hydride electrode wa s developed. The model was used to study the effect of various paramet ers on predicted;discharge curves. The simulations obtained using the model show the expected decrease of charge utilization as the rate of discharge is increased. Increasing the particle size of the alloy and decreasing the diffusion coefficient of the hydrogen atoms in the hydr ide showed a similar effect on the discharge curves. The model simulat ions also show the critical role that the kinetic and transport parame ters play in determining the overall shape of the predicted discharge curves for a metal-hydride electrode. The kinetic parameters used in t he model predictions are those for TiMn1.5Hx (x < 0.31).