Experimental study on refrigeration performance optimisation of reciprocating room temperature magnetic refrigerator

In this paper, the effects of operating conditions on the energy efficiency of a reciprocating room temperature magnetic refrigerator were experimentally investigated in order to optimise its refrigeration performance. An experimental setup of a magnetic refrigerator allowing the thermal characterisation of an active magnetic regenerator, with gadolinium particles (diameter 0.3 mm) used as a magnetocaloric material and water used as a working fluid, was developed. The effects of the magnet velocity (0.04-0.16 m s(-1)), the water filling ratio (2.98-5.96) and the room temperature (14.5-18.1 degrees C) on the cold end temperature of the active magnetic regenerator were determined and analysed. An optimal operating point of the magnetic refrigerator was found for a magnet velocity of 0.16 m s(-1), a water filling ratio of 5.21 and a mom temperature of 18.1 degrees C, for which a characteristic time of 70 s, a maximum cold end temperature variation of 12.4 degrees C, a cold power of 1450 W and a coefficient of performance of 6.7 were obtained. A synthesis on the suitable choice of the magnetic refrigerator operating conditions is given in order to optimise its refrigeration performance.

Automated summary

In this study, the effects of operating conditions on the energy efficiency of a reciprocating room temperature magnetic refrigerator were experimentally investigated. An optimal operating point was identified to optimize the refrigeration performance.