Numerical analysis of thermomagnetic generators

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.334015· OSTI ID:6710588

Kirol, L D; Mills, J I

Thermomagnetic generators allow direct conversion of heat energy to electrical energy. Temperature cycling about or near the Curie temperature causes changes in magnetization, resulting in time variant magnetic flux and induced voltage in a surrounding conductor. Numerical analyses of regenerative thermomagnetic generators with perfect regeneration have been performed for three working materials: iron, gadolinium, and Ho/sub 69/Fe/sub 31/. Power density above 20 W/kg of shunt material and efficiency approaching Carnot limits are possible over temperature differences of 50 K. Analytical studies performed during the 1950s predicted maximum power density less than 7 W/kg and efficiency less than 1% for nonregenerative cycles.

• Research Organization: Special Energy Programs, EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-76ID01570
• OSTI ID: 6710588
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 56:3; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300800* -- Direct Energy Conversion-- Miscellaneous Converters
ALLOYS
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
CONVERSION
CURIE POINT
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
GADOLINIUM
HOLMIUM ALLOYS
IRON
IRON ALLOYS
MAGNETIC FLUX
MAGNETIZATION
METALS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER DENSITY
RARE EARTH ALLOYS
RARE EARTHS
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
THERMOMAGNETIC CONVERSION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TRANSITION TEMPERATURE