Overview
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ABSTRACT
Les systèmes de réfrigération magnétique autour de la température ambiante sont une solution alternative à la réfrigération par gaz compressé. Ces appareils ont atteint le stade de l'industrialisation, préalable à une prochaine mise sur le marché pour des puissances aujourd'hui limitées (voir cependant en fin d'article ,l'évolution possible) La réfrigération, basée sur la compression/détente, est confrontée à des environnements contraignants sans véritable solution alternative, alors que le Froid magnétique peut apporter des solutions crédibles au remplacement des compresseurs. Après un rappel du contexte et de l'effet magnétocalorique, l'article se focalise sur les spécifications marchés, sur les contraintes d'industrialisation et de coûts et sur les prototypes rotatifs industrialisés et leurs composants. L'article finit par les perspectives d'évolution vers des puissances plus élevées.
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Read the articleAUTHORS
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Christian MULLER: Research director in the field of magnetic refrigeration - President, Cooltech Applications
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Guillaume BRUMPTER: Magnetic refrigeration systems design engineer - Mechanical engineer from ENIM,Cooltech Applications
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Lhassan ELOUAD: Doctor of Science - Research engineer for basic sciences - Test Engineer, Cooltech Applications
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Jean-Baptiste POLMARD: Mechanical and energy engineer – UHP Nancy 1 - Research engineer - Test Engineer, Cooltech Applications
INTRODUCTION
The refrigeration and air-conditioning sector covers a wide range of applications (both industrial and consumer). It's also a highly buoyant market, growing steadily by 2 to 4% a year.
Cold, which is essential to the modern economy and society for food, health and comfort (refrigeration, air conditioning, etc.), is mainly produced by systems based on the classic thermodynamic principle of compression and expansion of a fluid.
This technology, which dates back to the 1880s, is mature and well mastered. It is regularly confronted with a regulatory and societal environment that is becoming very restrictive. (see articles
Magnetic refrigeration can provide credible solutions for manufacturers and users looking for alternatives to current gas compression systems (gas compressors).
Magnetic refrigeration systems around room temperature have reached the stage of industrial development.
1881. Warburg's discovery of the magnetocaloric effect: material properties = temperature change under the action of a magnetic field.
1949. Scientific recognition = broadening and increased interest in research.
1980. Proof of concept. Large measured temperature spans of over 45°C with gadolinium using superconducting magnets (B > 7 T).
1994. Progress in the performance of NdFeB (Neodymium Iron Boron) permanent magnets, enabling industrial applications and major innovations in magnetic cooling (e.g. B > 1.2 T with standard magnets).
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KEYWORDS
applications | magnetic cool | refrigeration | air conditioning | magnetism | thermo-fluidics
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Industrial cooling
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Magnetic refrigeration systems
Context
Bibliography
Software tools
3D Flux http://www.cedrat.com/fr/software/flux.html
Events
THERMAG: international conference on magnetic cooling, organized by the IIFIIR, held every two years. http://thermagv.grenoble.cnrs.fr
Cold Chain Forum: trade fair for refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and heat pumps, regularly presents magnetic refrigeration technology, held annually.
Patents (non-exhaustive list)
Magnetocaloric heat generator with heat exchange means between magnetocaloric elements WO 2010094854
Multi-stage magnetocaloric thermal generator with optimized heat transfer fluid drive WO 2010046559
Magnetocaloric thermal generator comprising a control member for the heat transfer fluid displacement means WO 2010061064
Active magnetic...
Directory
Manufacturers – Suppliers – Distributors (non-exhaustive list)
Cooltech Applications. French company specializing in the design and production of magnetic refrigeration appliances. http://www.cooltech-applications.com
Camfridge. Startup (UK) developing a low-power magnetic cooling system
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