TY - JOUR

T1 - The influence of the solid thermal conductivity on active magnetic regenerators

A1 - Nielsen,Kaspar Kirstein

A1 - Engelbrecht,Kurt

AU - Nielsen,Kaspar Kirstein

AU - Engelbrecht,Kurt

PB - Institute of Physics Publishing

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - The influence of the thermal conductivity of the regenerator solid on the <br/>performance of a flat plate active magnetic regenerator (AMR) is investigated using an established numerical AMR model. The cooling power at different (fixed) temperature spans is used as a measure of the performance for a range of thermal conductivities, operating frequencies, a long and short regenerator, and finally a regenerator with a low and a high number of transfer units (NTU) regenerator. In this way the performance is mapped out and the impact of the thermal conductivity of the solid is probed. <br/>Modeling shows that under certain operating conditions, the AMR cycle is sensitive <br/>to the solid conductivity. It is found that as the operating frequency is increased it is not only sufficient to have a high NTU regenerator but the regenerator performance will also benefit from increased thermal conductivity in the solid. It is also found that a longer regenerator is generally better performing than a shorter one under the otherwise exact same conditions. This suggests that the thermal conductivity of candidate magnetocaloric materials should be considered when selecting them for use in a device.

AB - The influence of the thermal conductivity of the regenerator solid on the <br/>performance of a flat plate active magnetic regenerator (AMR) is investigated using an established numerical AMR model. The cooling power at different (fixed) temperature spans is used as a measure of the performance for a range of thermal conductivities, operating frequencies, a long and short regenerator, and finally a regenerator with a low and a high number of transfer units (NTU) regenerator. In this way the performance is mapped out and the impact of the thermal conductivity of the solid is probed. <br/>Modeling shows that under certain operating conditions, the AMR cycle is sensitive <br/>to the solid conductivity. It is found that as the operating frequency is increased it is not only sufficient to have a high NTU regenerator but the regenerator performance will also benefit from increased thermal conductivity in the solid. It is also found that a longer regenerator is generally better performing than a shorter one under the otherwise exact same conditions. This suggests that the thermal conductivity of candidate magnetocaloric materials should be considered when selecting them for use in a device.

KW - Active magnetic regenerator

KW - Thermal conductivity

KW - Parallel plate heat exchanger

KW - Magnetocaloric effect

KW - Magnetic refrigeration

U2 - 10.1088/0022-3727/45/14/145001

DO - 10.1088/0022-3727/45/14/145001

JO - Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics

JF - Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics

SN - 0022-3727

IS - 14

VL - 45

SP - 145001

ER -