How Do I Use My SOLID-H Metal Hydride?
A SOLID-H™ container is coupled to your system by a fitting that you specify when you order. This is usually a quick connect for convenience of installation and removal. Unless you specify a different fitting we will install a Swagelok QM series female quick connect on the container. We also supply a mating male quick connect that adapts to 1/8 inch tubing.
The hydrogen pressure when charging or discharging a SOLID-H™ container is something you select when you order. Four standard pressure ranges are offered; Alloy A (1-10 bar at room temperature), Alloy L (2-3 bar at room temperature), Alloy M (4-5 bar at room temperature) and Alloy H (8-12 bar at room temperature).
Alloy A is an iron-titanium alloy that may be shipped void of hydrogen as non-hazardous material. Alloys L, M and H are rare earth-nickel alloys. After activation (activation means "charged for the 1st time") they must be shipped void of hydrogen as a flammable solid. The expense of hazardous shipping may be avoided if you order inactivated SOLID-H™ containers. We will send activation instructions.
Recharge your SOLID-H™ container by connecting it to a source of clean dry hydrogen gas at the pressure specified in your SOLID-H™ manual. The container will get warm to the touch. When it is cool again, recharging is complete.
Reduce the pressure to the value indicated for your alloy in the SOLID-H TM manual before disconnecting it from your hydrogen source. Failure to do so may lead to venting through the pressure relief in hot environments (pressure increases rapidly with temperature).
Alloy Choices
If you want to see a pressure-composition isotherm and a pressure-temperature Van't Hoff plot for each alloy click here for Alloy A or here for Alloys L, M, H. Alloy A contains iron and titanium while Alloys L, M and H contain rare earth metals and nickel. Alloy A is less expensive than Alloys L, M or H. This makes no difference in prices of smaller containers because assembly labor cost dominates production costs. Larger containers, cost extra mostly due to the higher alloy costs.
Pressure Regulator
If your application requires low pressure hydrogen you will need a pressure regulator, like the one shown below.
Pressure Regulator, PR-50, sets the outlet pressure from 0-50 psig (0-3.4 bar gauge). Maximum inlet pressure is 300 psig (20 bar gauge). The outlet connection on the regulator has 1/8 NPT female pipe threads. You can purchase the PR-50 here.