The effect of flow maldistribution in heterogeneous parallel-plate active magnetic regenerators

The heat transfer properties and performance of parallel-plate active magnetic regenerators (AMRs) with heterogeneous plate spacing are investigated using detailed models previously published. Bulk heat transfer characteristics in the regenerator are predicted as a function of variation in plate spacing. The results are quantified through a Nusselt number scaling factor that is applied in a detailed 1D AMR model. In this way, the impact of flow maldistribution due to heterogeneous parallel plate stacks on AMR performance is systematically investigated. It is concluded that parallel-plate stacks having a standard deviation greater than about 5% on their plate spacing are severely penalized in terms of both cooling power and achievable temperature span due to the inhomogeneity of the stacks.