Sensitivity study of multi-layer active magnetic regenerators using first order magnetocaloric material La(Fe,Mn,Si)13Hy

We present simulation results of multi-layer active magnetic regenerators using the solid-state refrigerant La(Fe,Mn,Si)(13)H-y. This material presents a large, however quite sharp, isothermal entropy change that requires a careful choice of number of layers and working temperature for multi-layer regenerators. The impact of the number of layers and the sensitivity to the working temperature as well as the temperature span are quantified using a one dimensional numerical model. A study of the sensitivity of variation in Curie temperature through a uniform and normal distribution is also presented. The results show that the nominal cooling power is very sensitive to the Curie temperature variation in the multi-layer regenerators. A standard deviation of the Curie temperature variation for a normal distribution less than 0.6K is suggested in order to achieve sufficient performance of a 15-layer regenerator with Curie temperature spacing of 2 K. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.