Magnetic field-enhanced interfacial photo-thermal evaporation within the liquid organic hydrogen carrier

To find solutions to reducing energy consumption associated with the dehydrogenation process of liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC), this study utilizes COMSOL software to construct a photo-thermal evaporation model. It explores the heat transfer and mass transfer characteristics during the evaporation process of methanol, formic acid, and ethanol solutions at different volume fractions. The results show that while the various LOHC exhibit certain similarities in heating and evaporation behavior, Ethanol warms up rapidly due to its efficient light absorption and low latent heat of vaporization. In contrast, formic acid has a faster evaporation rate owing to its high polarity and low boiling point. Within the optimal volume fraction range, the pre-vaporization efficiency is enhanced, thereby contributing to the enhancement of hydrogen reforming reaction efficiency and the regulation of side reactions. Additionally, this predictive study on the integration of a magnetic field suggests that while increasing magnetic field strength can significantly enhance the evaporation performance of LOHC, the energy utilization efficiency tends to exhibit a saturation phenomenon. These findings provide theoretical guidance for improving the evaporation performance of LOHC, which is of considerable importance for advancing LOHC hydrogen production technology. • Photothermal evaporation model for LOHC developed using COMSOL. • This study identifies optimal pre-vaporization ranges for reforming. • Magnetic field coupling enhances evaporation efficiency. • Mechanisms of interfacial evaporation enhancement systematically revealed.