PERFORMANCE TESTING OF A VANADIUM HYDRIDE COMPRESSOR

A hydride compressor module with features to permit rapid and efficien t reversible reactions between hydrogen gas and V0.995C0.005 powder ha s been built. The unit was subjected to absorption-desorption cycles f or various conditions over a temperature range between 283 K and 363 K . Desorption time constants between 3 and 6 min were found at 363 K fo r different initial hydrogen pressures and circulating water flow rate s. Hydrogen absorption time constants at 283 K ranged between 1 and 3 min for similar operating conditions. These results confirm that vanad ium-based compressors can meet the requirements for rapid cycling appl ications such as heat pumps or sorption cryogenic refrigerators.