Experimental study on a piston-driven type magnetic refrigeration apparatus

Magnetic refrigeration, which utilizes the magnetocaloric effect of the magnetic material, is a promising alternative refrigeration technology. It is an eco-friendly refrigeration technology using solid refrigerants instead of CFC/HCFC or HFC refrigerants. Also it is regarded as an energy-efficient refrigeration system to generate temperature difference between high- and low-temparature sides using the temperature change of magnetic refrigerants according to the change of magnetic field, without using power-consuming and noisy compressors. This paper presents some experimental results obtained from a piston-driven type magnetic refrigeration apparatus, which has two sets of concentric Halbach cylinder permanent magnets. Experimental results, which were obtained by varying the stroke and speed of the piston that is used to circulate the heat transfer fluid through AMR beds of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus, were discussed.