Performance investigation of a high-field active magnetic regenerator. (15th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Teyber, Reed; Holladay, Jamelyn; Meinhardt, Kerry; Polikarpov, Evgueni; Thomsen, Edwin; Cui, Jun; Rowe, Andrew; Barclay, John
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 236(2019)
• Page Start: 426
• Page End: 436
• Publication Date: 2019-02-15
• Subjects: Active magnetic regenerator -- Magnetocaloric effect -- Superconducting magnet -- Liquefaction -- Optimization; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.12.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: A 100 K temperature span is measured with a bespoke magnetic refrigerator. Simulations assert the importance of fluid density and field strength on efficiency. An optimization of the material composition yields an efficient gas liquefier. Abstract: Regenerative magnetic cycles are of interest for small-scale, high-efficiency cryogen liquefiers; however, commercially relevant performance has yet to be demonstrated. To develop improved engineering prototypes, an efficient modeling tool is required to screen the multi-parameter design space. In this work, we describe an active magnetic regenerative refrigerator prototype using a high-field superconducting magnet that produces a 100 K temperature span. Using the experimental data, a semi-analytic AMR element model is validated and enhanced system performance is simulated using liquid propane as a heat transfer fluid. In addition, the regenerator composition and fluid flow are simultaneously optimized using a differential evolution algorithm. Simulation results indicate that a natural gas liquefier with a 160 K temperature span and a second-law efficiency exceeding 20% is achievable.