Trickle-Bed Reactors Design for Hydrogen Chemical Storage

In recent years, molecular hydrogen has emerged as a promising future energy vector. However, its widespread adoption faces challenges related to sustainable production and safe, efficient storage. Chemical storage involves bonding hydrogen to other compounds, enabling long-term storage without high pressures or extremely low temperatures. Despite these advantages, current chemical storage methods often use unstable and highly reactive solid hydrides, posing significant safety risks despite their high storage density. To address these issues, this work focuses on the chemical hydrogen storage strategy based on the hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane. This method stores three moles of hydrogen per mole of cyclohexane, with hydrogen readily recoverable through the reverse dehydrogenation process. A critical step in implementing this system is designing an efficient reactor for benzene-to-cyclohexane conversion. A trickle bed reactor is identified as a viable candidate. However, the fluid dynamics complexity and the presence of flammable, reactive species necessitate detailed analysis to ensure an optimal, safe configuration. This study presents a comprehensive design protocol and modeling approach for the trickle bed reactor, addressing fluid dynamics, active bed length, and key mechanical design parameters. The proposed model provides a foundation for advancing safer chemical hydrogen storage solutions. To gain a broader understanding of the proposed solution, an economic analysis was also conducted to complement the technical assessment.