CFD-Simulation Assisted Design of Elastocaloric Regenerator Geometry

Abstract

Elastocaloric cooling is a promising alternative to conventional cooling using the vapour compression cycle, with potentially higher theoretical exergy efficiency. Nevertheless, there is a number of challenges to be tackled before the technology can be commercially available world-wide. In this study, the potential of double corrugated regenerators to enhance the cooling power of an elastocaloric device that would be operating under compression loading was investigated. The numerical performances of two types of double corrugated geometries are presented and compared to a flat plate regenerator as a reference. The double corrugated geometry significantly increases the surface area to volume ratio and convection of the regenerator, which allows an increase in the power density of the device.

Plasma Electrolytic Polishing of Nitinol: Investigation of Functional Properties

“…Elastocaloric applications as well as medical devices exploiting the superelasticity and shape memory of Nitinol require complex geometries with high surface quality [ 1 , 9 , 15 , 16 ]. In elastocaloric cooling applications, high surface roughness is associated with a low structural fatigue resistance, since small surface defects act as crack nucleation sites [ 8 ].…”