Magnetocaloric systems

The magnetocaloric effect can be used to develop highly energy-efficient cooling systems that require no harmful refrigerants at all. They are based on so-called magnetocaloric materials.  

How does a magnetocaloric heat pump work?

Magnetocaloric materials are magnetizable materials that heat up when exposed to a magnetic field and cool down once the field is removed. This is how a cooling cycle can be realized: the heated magnetocaloric material is connected to a heat sink so that heat can be dissipated. When the magnetic field is removed, the material cools down and is at a lower temperature than at the beginning of the cycle. The magnetocaloric material is now connected to the area that is to be cooled, so now it can absorb heat. This effect is reversible to a very high degree, which offers the potential to realize highly energy-efficient cooling systems and heat pumps using magnetocaloric materials.

Patented cooling concept

Fraunhofer IPM develops magnetocaloric cooling systems and heat pumps using a patented system concept: a fluid transfers heat by evaporation and condensation from the area to be cooled to the magnetocaloric material. This allows cooling power densities to be achieved that are an order of magnitude better than alternative system approaches. In future, this system concept can be used to realize cost-effective systems.

In particular, Fraunhofer IPM is working on:

  • Development and construction of measurement setups for the characterization of magnetocaloric materials
  • Simulation, configuration and construction of magnet systems
  • Construction and characterization of magnetocaloric systems
  • Simulation of magnetocaloric materials and systems
We support our industrial customers in the conceptual design and development of caloric systems – all the way to the construction of finished systems for specific applications. We can draw on many years of technological experience, established supplier contacts and the capacity of our highly specialized workshops and laboratories.
Magnetocaloric cooling based on heat pipes
© Fraunhofer IPM
Magnetization: Magnetocaloric (MC) material is exposed to a magnetic field and heats up due to the generated magnetic order from temperature T0 to T0 + ΔT. Heat release: The magnetocaloric (MC) material is connected to a heat sink, the heat produced can be dissipated, the MC material cools down again to temperature T0. Demagnetization: If the magnetic field is removed, the MC material cools down and is at a lower temperature T0  – ΔT than it is at the start of the cycle. Heat input: The MC material is now connected to the system to the cold side and can absorb heat, until it reaches temperature T0 again.

The principle of refrigerant-free cooling - example magnetocalorics

Magnetokalorischer Kühlkreislauf
© Fraunhofer IPM
Based on the principle of a thermal diode, the heat is »pushed forward« in only one direction. The heat generated in the magnetic field causes liquid in the magnetocaloric material to evaporate (1). The pressure in the segment increases. The pressure relief valve opens so that vapor enters the neighboring element (2). After switching off the magnet, the magnetocaloric material cools down to below the initial temperature (3). The vapor pressure drops, resulting in a negative pressure compared to the preceding segment. Gaseous fluid flows in, and heat is absorbed from the preceding segment (4).

Further Information

 

Magnetocaloric cooling systems

Fraunhofer IPM develops energy-efficient cooling systems – entirely without any harmful fluids.

 

Elastocaloric cooling
systems

Fraunhofer IPM is working on the cooling technology of the future – with materials and systems that make optimum use of caloric effects.

MagCon project

 

In the MagCon project, Fraunhofer IPM together with Fraunhofer IFAM developed highly efficient magnetocaloric heat pumps as an alternative to compressor-based heat pumps.

MagMed project

 

Together with industrial partners, we have developed efficient, refrigerant-free freezers for medical products based on magnetocaloric technology.

Applications »Magnetocalorics«

 

Efficient heating and cooling without harmful refrigerants