Abstract
Compared to conventional vapor-compression refrigeration systems, magnetic refrigeration is a promising and potential alternative technology. The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is used to produce heat and cold sources through a magnetocaloric material (MCM). The material is submitted to a magnetic field with active magnetic regenerative refrigeration (AMRR) cycles. Initially, this effect was widely used for cryogenic applications to achieve very low temperatures. However, this technology must be improved to replace vapor-compression devices operating around room temperature. Therefore, over the last 30 years, a lot of studies have been done to obtain more efficient devices. Thus, the modeling is a crucial step to perform a preliminary study and optimization. In this paper, after a large introduction on MCE research, a state-of-the-art of multi-physics modeling on the AMRR cycle modeling is made. To end this paper, a suggestion of innovative and advanced modeling solutions to study magnetocaloric regenerator is described.
Highlights
Results showed 25% higher temperature ranges for the active magnetic regenerative refrigeration (AMRR)
The same year, but in another paper, Silva et al [91] developed two simple models of the magnetic refrigeration device again with the software HEATRAPY, in order to estimate the temperature range in a system. They made two 1-D models for: (i) a solidstate magnetocaloric system, and (ii) a hydraulic AMRR system operating with a heat transfer fluid. They applied their model on both studied system and obtained the results shown in (Figure 27)
In the paper of Plait (2018), a 3-D finite-element method (FEM) magnetostatic model is replaced by a 2-D semi-analytical magnetostatic model to earn computational time: “To achieve the simulation of 5 AMRR cycles applied to the whole system within only 5 min, instead of 4 h with 3-D FEM” [86]
Summary
In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to decrease the carbon footprint, it is necessary to develop an alternative to the most polluting technologies. Current cooling devices use refrigerant fluids such as hydrofluocarbons or more recently hydrochlorofluocarbons which are very polluting and harmful For this reason, innovative studies for alternative refrigerants are performed [2,3]. Interest in this technology has increased significantly over the last 30 years and many prospects are being considered [11] Other applications such as heat pumping are possible to exploit this effect, as showed by Tishin and Spichkin (2014) [12]. The the magnetization, an adiabatic the MCE results from change of theinMCM temduced byperature (electro)magnet, increases the material temperature. Despite its is good characthe (Gd) most(Figure popular1)materials for near room temperature the Gadolinium (Gd) teristics, Gd can 1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call