Sizing of a reversible magnetic heat pump for the automotive industry

Abstract

This paper focuses on the design of an innovative air-conditioning system, namely a magnetocaloric air-conditioner for an electric minibus. An integrated design of the complete system is necessary, as the hot and cold side of the regenerator will work under dynamic conditions which depend on the instantaneous thermal load in the cabin.In order to assist the design of the system, a dynamic model has been developed for the cabin, the hydraulic loops and heat exchangers, and the magnetocaloric unit. This paper presents (i) a description of the dynamic models, (ii) an analysis of the operating conditions of the magnetocaloric unit and (iii) a discussion on the design of the magnetocaloric air-conditioner. The results show that 2 the electric minibus requests 1.60 kW of cooling power over a span of 37 K in cooling mode, and 3.39 kW of heating power over a span of 40K.

Advanced Magnetocaloric Materials for Energy Conversion: Recent Progress, Opportunities, and Perspective

“…[58] Simultaneously, by the current wave of electrification, the MHP system can also be inserted into some mobile scenarios like electric vehicles (EV). [59,60] For instance, Torregrosa-Jaime et al designed an innovative air-conditioning system for an electric minibus, and the studies provide an output power reference for a MHP in the electric minibus (1.60 kW of cooling power over a span of 37 K; 3.39 kW of heating power over a span of 40 K). [60] Even so, similar to the development of MR, the commercialization of efficient MHP still faces challenges with respect to the design of the device (magnetic field source, magnetic circuit, regenerator bed geometry, heat exchangers, pumping system, etc.…”

Review of Multi-Physics Modeling on the Active Magnetic Regenerative Refrigeration

“…5) cold blow [116]. Risser et al (2010) [117] performed a 1-D model of the AMRR cycles based on the FDM in order to simulate a regenerator composed of Gd parallel plates. The studied magnetocaloric system was composed of two hot and old tanks located on both sides of a regenerator connected by rectangular channels.…”

“…This model was improved three years later by Risser et al (2013) [71] by replacing the 1-D magnetic field model with 3-D modeling. The model was finally used by Torregrosa-Jaime et al (2014) [117] to design a magnetocaloric reversible heat pump.…”

“…Consequently, they found a higher cooling capacity as the frequency increased. [117]. [66,67] proposed a description of the thermodynamic behavior of a regenerator.…”

Advances on air conditioning and heat pump system in electric vehicles – A review

“…Torregrosa-Jaime et al [57,58,59] described the ICE project in details and published the first-round experimental results in application of MCE heat pump system in fully electric minibus. ICE Project is sponsored by the European Union and European mobile industry to apply Magneto Caloric heat pump systems to fulfill the thermal comfort and energy requirements of FEVs [60].…”