Reconfigurable hydrogen transfer heating/cooling system

A system for effecting temperature changes in a man-made environment, comprising:

• a first thermally-conductive containment means for storing a metal hydride therein at ambient temperature and a storage pressure that is greater than ambient pressure;
• a second thermally-conductive containment means for storing a metal alloy therein at ambient temperature and ambient pressure, said metal alloy being capable of absorbing hydrogen atoms at a pressure that is less than said storage pressure;
• a conduit coupled between said first and second thermally-conductive containment means, said conduit in communication at a first end thereof with said metal hydride and in communication at a second end thereof with said metal alloy;
• a valve disposed in said conduit for controlling communication between said first end and said second end thereof;
• a thermal insulator disposed about one of said first and second thermally-conductive containment means;
• and
• means for placing a circulating fluid in thermal communication with said one of said first and second thermally-conductive containment means, said means for placing adapted to be in thermal communication with a man-made environment requiring temperature changes wherein, when said valve is opened, hydrogen atoms desorbed from said metal hydride are transported through said conduit and are absorbed by said metal alloy.

A system for cooling a man-made environment that is surrounded by an ambient environment, comprising:

• a first thermally-conductive container storing a metal hydride therein at ambient temperature and at a storage pressure that is greater than ambient pressure;
• a second thermally-conductive container in thermal communication with the ambient environment and storing a metal alloy therein at ambient temperature and ambient pressure, said metal alloy being capable of absorbing hydrogen atoms at a pressure that is less than said storage pressure;
• a first conduit coupled between said first and second containers, said conduit in communication at a first end thereof with said metal hydride and in communication at a second end thereof with said metal alloy;
• a valve disposed in said conduit for controlling communication between said first end and said second end thereof wherein, when said valve is opened, hydrogen atoms are desorbed from said metal hydride, causing an endothermic reaction to reduce the temperature of said metal hydride, and said hydrogen atoms are transported through said first conduit and are absorbed by said metal alloy, causing an exothermic reaction to increase the temperature of said metal alloy;
• a heat exchanger in thermal communication with said first container;
• a thermal insulator disposed about said first container and said heat exchanger;
• a second conduit in thermal communication with said heat exchanger and with the man-made environment needing cooling, said second conduit configured to provide a continuous path for a fluid to circulate between said heat exchanger and the man-made environment;
• and
• a pump coupled to said second conduit and configured to cause said fluid to flow through said second conduit.

A system for heating a man-made environment that is surrounded by an ambient environment, comprising:

• a first thermally-conductive container storing a metal alloy therein at ambient temperature and ambient pressure, said metal alloy being capable of absorbing hydrogen atoms at a pressure that is less than said storage pressure;
• a second thermally-conductive container in thermal communication with the ambient environment and storing a metal hydride therein at ambient temperature and at a storage pressure that is greater than ambient pressure;
• a first conduit coupled between said first and second containers, said conduit in communication at a first end thereof with said metal hydride and in communication at a second end thereof with said metal alloy;
• a valve disposed in said conduit for controlling communication between said first end and said second end thereof wherein, when said valve is opened, hydrogen atoms are desorbed from said metal hydride, causing an endothermic reaction to reduce the temperature of said metal hydride, and said hydrogen atoms are transported through said first conduit and are absorbed by said metal alloy, causing an exothermic reaction to increase the temperature of said metal alloy;
• a heat exchanger in thermal communication with said first container;
• a thermal insulator disposed about said first container and said heat exchanger;
• a second conduit in thermal communication with said heat exchanger and with the man-made environment needing heating, said second conduit configured to provide a continuous path for a fluid to circulate between said heat exchanger and the man-made environment;
• and
• a pump coupled to said second conduit and configured to cause said fluid to flow through said second conduit.