skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Magnetic heat pumps

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6881197· OSTI ID:6881197

The effect of the development of high-temperature superconductors on the use of magnetic heat pumps was evaluated for two applications: refrigeration for commercial food processing and industrial production of hot water or low-quality steam. Background discussion are included on magnetic heat pumps and their operation and on the selection of the two applications that were evaluated. The design of magnetic heat pumps and how designs will be affected by the use of high-temperature superconductors are analyzed. The heat pump designs used in the evaluations were a Brayton cycle with an active magnetic regenerator and a Brayton cycle with external recuperation. The economics of the active magnetic regenerator design are compared with conventional vapor-compression devices for the two applications. 30 refs., 18 figs., 22 tabs.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL (USA). Energy Systems Div.
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/CE
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6881197
Report Number(s):
ANL/ESD-3; ON: DE90010305
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English