자기열량효과 물질을 이용한 저온도차 열변환발전 시스템의 성능 분석 연구

Abstract

This paper discusses the production of power from low-grade thermal energy using materials with a magnetocaloric effect, such as gadolinium. Gadolinium generally retains its ferromagnetic property at temperatures below 20℃, but becomes strongly paramagnetic above this temperature. Taking advantage of this magnetocaloric effect, the present research seeks various ways to develop power from low-grade waste heat, which are yet to be explored. This technology, if applied appropriately, will generate electric energy from the waste heat discarded by HVAC systems (of large buildings) and power plants. A series of experiments were carried out by designing and fabricating a prototype system using gadolinium to elicit the optimal conditions in utilizing waste heat below 80℃. As a result, the maximum mechanical power of the gadolinium generator was 29.4 mW when the temperature difference was approximately 45℃ and the weight was 50 g, and the maximum electric power was calculated to be 0.0085 mW.