Henrique Neves Bez

Sensitivity study of multi-layer active magnetic regenerators using first order magnetocaloric material La(Fe,Mn,Si)13Hy

We present simulation results of multi-layer active magnetic regenerators using the solid-state refrigerant La(Fe,Mn,Si)13Hy. This material presents a large, however quite sharp, isothermal entropy change that requires a careful choice of number of layers and working temperature for multi-layer regenerators. The impact of the number of layers and the sensitivity to the working temperature as well as the temperature span are quantified using a one dimensional numerical model. A study of the sensitivity of variation in Curie temperature through a uniform and normal distribution is also presented. The results show that the nominal cooling power is very sensitive to the Curie temperature variation in the multi-layer regenerators. A standard deviation of the Curie temperature variation for a normal distribution less than 0.6 K is suggested in order to achieve sufficient performance of a 15-layer regenerator with Curie temperature spacing of 2 K.

Magneto-elastic coupling in La(Fe, Mn, Si)13Hy within the Bean-Rodbell model

First order magnetic phase transition materials present a large magnetocaloric effect around the transition temperature, where these materials usually undergo a large volume or structural change. This may lead to some challenges for applications, as the material may break apart during field change, due to high internal stresses. A promising magnetocaloric material is La(Fe, Mn, Si)13Hy, where the transition temperature can be controlled through the Mn amount. In this work we use XRD measurements to evaluate the temperature dependence of the unit cell volume with a varying Mn amount. The system is modelled using the Bean-Rodbell model, which is based on the assumption that the spin-lattice coupling depends linearly on the unit cell volume. This coupling is defined by the model parameter η, where for η > 1 the material undergoes a first order transition and for η  ≤ 1 a second order transition. We superimpose a Gaussian distribution of the transition temperature with a standard deviation σT0, in order to mo...

Direct measurements of the magnetic entropy change

An experimental device that can accurately measure the magnetic entropy change, Δs, as a function of temperature, T, and magnetic field, H, is presented. The magnetic field source is in this case a set of counter-rotating concentric Halbach-type magnets, which produce a highly homogeneous applied field with constant orientation. The field may be varied from 0 to 1.5 T in a continuous way. The temperature stability of the system is controlled to within ±10 mK and the standard range for the current setup is from 230 K to 330 K. The device is under high vacuum and we show that thermal losses to the ambient are negligible in terms of the calorimetric determination of the magnetic entropy change, while the losses cannot be ignored when correcting for the actual sample temperature. We apply the device to two different types of samples; one is commercial grade Gd, i.e., a pure second-order phase transition material, while the other is Gd5Si2Ge2, a first order magnetic phase transition material. We demonstrate the devices ability to fully capture the thermal hysteresis of the latter sample by following appropriate thermal resetting scheme and magnetic resetting scheme.

Strain development during the phase transition of La(Fe,Mn,Si)13Hz

We use powder X-ray diffraction to evaluate the temperature dependence of the crystalline properties during the magnetic phase transition of La(Fe,Mn,Si)13Hz as a function of the Fe/Mn/Si ratio. Both the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic phases were observed as peak overlaps in the patterns around the Curie temperature (TC) occurring continuously in a temperature range of about 5 K around TC. Using the Williamson-Hall method, we evaluate the strain developing in the crystallites during the transition and find that it is associated with the growth of the paramagnetic phase as the transition occurs. Based on our measurements and microstructure analyses, we propose that cracking during the phase transition is due to or aggravated by the small content of a La-rich phase.

From a Magnet to a Heat Pump

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is the thermal response of a magnetic material to an applied magnetic field. Magnetic cooling is a promising alternative to conventional vapor compression technology in near room temperature applications and has experienced significant developments over the last five years. Although further improvements are necessary before the technology can be commercialized. Researchers were mainly focused on the development of materials and optimization of a flow system in order to increase the efficiency of magnetic heat pumps. The project, presented in this paper, is devoted to the improvement of heat pump and cooling technologies through simple tests of prospective regenerator designs. A brief literature review and expected results are presented in the paper. It is mainly focused on MCE technologies and provides a brief introduction to the magnetic cooling as an alternative for conventional vapor compression technology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sace.14.1.15927