Development and Fundamental Characteristics of a Prototype Magnetocaloric Heat Pump

2011 ◽  
Vol 1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Kawanami ◽  
Shigeki Hirano
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Heat Exchange ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Rotational Frequency ◽  
Heat Transfer Fluid ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Heat Transfer Characteristics ◽  
Transfer Characteristics

ABSTRACTThe primary objective of this study is to discuss the optimum operating conditions of magnetocaloric heat pumps according to the fundamental heat transfer characteristics of an active magnetic regenerator (AMR) bed. The AMR cycle has four sequential processes: magnetization, heat exchange fluid flow, demagnetization, and heat exchange fluid blow. The fundamental heat transfer characteristics of each process of the AMR cycle is investigated minutely. Moreover, the cooling power and the overall system performance are evaluated when the system is running continuously.In addition to the aforementioned investigation, we have developed a prototype rotational magnetocaloric heat pump having a compact component arrangement and an uncomplicated control system. A performance evaluation has been conducted to obtain the optimum conditions for practical operation. The operation parameters such as the heat transfer fluid flow rate, rotational frequency, and initial temperature of the heat transfer fluid are examined, and the variations of the maximum temperature span between the inlet and outlet for the heat transfer fluid are discussed. As a result, the values of the optimum rotational frequency and flow rate are obtained to obtain the maximum temperature span between the inlet and outlet of the present magnetocaloric heat pump.

scholarly journals Numerical Investigation on the Influence of Surface Flow Direction on the Heat Transfer Characteristics in a Granite Single Fracture

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 751
Author(s):  
Xuefeng Gao ◽  
Yanjun Zhang ◽  
Zhongjun Hu ◽  
Yibin Huang
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Heat Extraction ◽  
Geothermal System ◽  
Heat Transfer Characteristics ◽  
Transfer Characteristics ◽  
Heat Transfer Capacity

As fluid passes through the fracture of an enhanced geothermal system, the flow direction exhibits distinct angular relationships with the geometric profile of the rough fracture. This will inevitably affect the heat transfer characteristics in the fracture. Therefore, we established a hydro-thermal coupling model to study the influence of the fluid flow direction on the heat transfer characteristics of granite single fractures and the accuracy of the numerical model was verified by experiments. Results demonstrate a strong correlation between the distribution of the local heat transfer coefficient and the fracture morphology. A change in the flow direction is likely to alter the transfer coefficient value and does not affect the distribution characteristics along the flow path. Increasing injection flow rate has an enhanced effect. Although the heat transfer capacity in the fractured increases with the flow rate, a sharp decline in the heat extraction rate and the total heat transfer coefficient is also observed. Furthermore, the model with the smooth fracture surface in the flow direction exhibits a higher heat transfer capacity compared to that of the fracture model with varying roughness. This is attributed to the presence of fluid deflection and dominant channels.

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