Stirling-cycle rotating magnetic refrigerators and heat engines for use near room temperature

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.325009· OSTI ID:5093724

Steyert, W A

The application (or removal) of a magnetic field to the ferromagnetic Gd metal near its Curie point (293 K) will produce adiabatic heating (or cooling) of 14 K or isothermal expulsion (or absorption) of 32 kJ of heat per liter of Gd metal. A refrigerator and a heat engine are described for which porous Gd metal forms the rim of a wheel rotating into and out of a magnetic field region. Fluid forced to flow through the porous metal exchanges heat; the field and flow configurations are such that the metal executes a magnetic Stirling cycle allowing a very wide temperature span (many times 14 K) while maintaining the 32-kJ/l capacity. Efficiencies approaching that of Carnot are expected at 1-Hz rotation rates, resulting in 32-kW/l refrigeration or heating capacity.

• Research Organization: University of California, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 5093724
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 49:3; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
ADIABATIC PROCESSES
APPLIANCES
CARNOT CYCLE
COOLING
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENGINES
ENTROPY
FLUID FLOW
GADOLINIUM
GAS APPLIANCES
HEAT ENGINES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
HEATING
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC REFRIGERATORS
MAGNETO-THERMAL EFFECTS
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RARE EARTHS
REFRIGERATING MACHINERY
REFRIGERATORS
STIRLING CYCLE
STIRLING ENGINES
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES