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discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/277015121

A classification methodology applied to existing

room temperature magnetic refrigerators up to
the year 2014
ARTICLE in RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS JUNE 2015
Impact Factor: 5.51 DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.05.029

3 AUTHORS, INCLUDING:
Federico Scarpa

L.a. Tagliafico

Universit degli Studi di Genova

Universit degli Studi di Genova

40 PUBLICATIONS 208 CITATIONS

72 PUBLICATIONS 248 CITATIONS

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Available from: Federico Scarpa

Retrieved on: 25 August 2015

*
Click here to view linked References

A classification methodology applied to existing room temperature magnetic

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Federico Scarpa1,*, Giulio Tagliafico2, Luca A. Tagliafico1

University of Genoa, DIME/TEC, Division of Thermal Energy and Environmental Conditioning

Via All'Opera Pia 15A, 16145 Genoa, Italy

2

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refrigerators up to the year 2014

National Research Council, IMATI, Institute of Applied Mathematics and Information Technology

Via De Marini 6 - 16149 Genoa, Italy

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(*) corresponding author - email: fscarpa@ditec.unige.it - Fax +39 010311870

to be published

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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2015)

Abstract

Magnetic refrigeration at room temperature is a promising technology with the potential of competing with
traditional vapor compression technology. It promises high energy conversion efficiency values, and is

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environmental friendly. In fact it can operate with zero ODP (Ozone Depletion Potential) and low GWP (Global
Warming Potential) fluids. Furthermore the process and the plant configuration is very simple and the device
promise to be very compact, with low noise and vibrations. Literature shows many prototypes developed and
built both with proof of principle purposes and with performance oriented purposes. Very different embodiments

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and arrangements can be conceived, operating with similar or identical conceptual behavior. An existing
classification methodology is discussed and applied to a wide set of prototypes and test sections known in
literature up to the year 2014. In this short review, most used configurations and trends are described according
to the proposed classification criteria. The method is able to highlight common and uncommon solutions, and to

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show conceptual differences and similarities between different embodiments, irrespective of the engineering
solutions chosen by the designer.

Keywords: Clean cooling, Magnetic refrigerators; Classification; Standardization; Low carbon

Introduction

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1.

Magnetic Refrigeration is a technology that exploits an intrinsic property of the magneto sensitive materials that

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is called magnetocaloric effect (MCE). The MCE is the ability of the material to change its bulk temperature

when undergoing changes in the applied external magnetic field. Discovered by P. Weiss and A. Piccard in 1917
[1, 2], the MCE involves the electronic and magnetic configuration of the material, and its macroscopic
thermophysical properties. If such a material is exposed to changes in the external magnetic field intensity, it
shows a temperature change (if the process is adiabatic), corresponding to a change in thermodynamic state.
Based on this thermodynamic change, various refrigeration cycles can be conceived and realized.

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The early MCE applications are due to Debye [3] and Giauque [4], they developed a single step refrigeration
process, known as adiabatic demagnetization, to reach ultra-low temperatures (< 1 K).
Since then, the MCE was vastly employed in the cryogenic field. The first attempt to employ the MCE at room

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temperature is due to Brown in 1976 [5], who realized the first proof of principle active magnetic regenerator
(AMR). During the last decades, room temperature magnetic refrigeration systems evolved, according to both
practical and theoretical constrains, into the various embodiments which characterize the actual prototype
scenery (see reviews by Gschneidner and Pecharsky [6], Yu et al. [7], Tagliafico et al. [8], Romero Gmez J.et
al. [9]). In the last years, an increasing number of room temperature magnetic refrigerator prototypes have been

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developed or conceived following various thermodynamic processes and implementation schemes.

In view of an international standardization of room temperature magnetic refrigeration devices, and to provide
researchers with a useful tool, it is of interest both to follow this evolution from a technical perspective and to
structure it into a rational classification of actual magnetic refrigerators.

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There are three main technological issues involved in the realization of magnetic refrigerators so that they can
compete with traditional technologies, from both an economic and a technological point of view: (i) the design
of strong magnetic sources, (ii) the development of efficient active regenerators (also by means of multilayer
regenerators or graded material configurations), and (iii) the definition of optimized process arrangements. These

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all are necessary challenges for the improvement and the diffusion of this innovative way of cooling. Recently,
Scarpa et al. [10] recommended a classification methodology based on the above elements, that is; (i) type of
magnetic source, (ii) regenerator arrangement with regard to geometry, magnetocaloric material (MCM) and

fluid and (iii) relative motion of the active material with respect to both the magnetic field and the heat transfer

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fluid flow inside the regenerator.

In this paper the classification methodology, which now implements some suggestions from the comprehensive
book by Kitanovski et al. [11], is briefly recalled and applied to a wide set of existing prototypes presented up to

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the year 2014. Common configurations, as well as unique solutions, are identified, and the classification

methodology is critically analyzed to assess which aspects can be modified, included or avoided in a widespread
approach to the prototype synthetic description. To complete this picture, the classification of each reported
devices has been complemented by a short series of more technical data concerning the actual implementation of
the devices, when available. Indeed, while a great number of very different approaches and prototypes have been
conceived, designed and assembled in the last decade, there are neither clear rules nor schemas to aid the

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researcher in estimating and judging the pros and cons of the various embodiments. From this point of view, the
aim of the presented study is to give a useful reference and a source of information on magnetic refrigerators
techniques, designed and adopted in the last years, in such a way it can represent a valuable starting point for a

2.

Classification scheme

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deeper analysis on this topic.

The complete classification source and its rationale can be found in [10]. Its format is here briefly recalled for
completeness. The classification is based on the following 12 digit scheme.

(1)

0-1

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Device type

(0 simple effect - 1 double effect)

Magnet characteristics
0-1

(0 permanent - 1 electromagnet 2 superconducting solenoid)

(3)

0-1-2 (0 simple magnets - 1 concentrators - 2 Halbach type)

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(2)

Magnetic field application

(4)

0-1-2

(0 by immersion - 1 by fields composition of moving magnets - 2 by switching on/off

electromagnets, charging/discharging superconducting magnets)

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MCM characteristics
(5) layers N

(number N of MC material layers with different Curie working temperatures)

(6) structure 0-1-2-3 (0 ordered - 1 disordered - 2 fluid - 3 thermal diodes) [ordered: calibrated spheres, wires,

Heat transfer fluid

(7)

0-1

(0 liquid 1 gas 2 phase-change fluid)

Relative motion between MCM and fluid

0-1

(0 bidirectional 1 unidirectional) [we call it the Steyert bit]

Relative motion between MCM and magnet

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(8)

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suspension - thermal diodes: magnetocaloric material with thermal diodes]

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sheets, honey comb - disordered: random spheres, powder, fibers, porous matrix - fluid: ferro fluid, particle

0-1

(0 no motion 1 motion)

(10)

0-1

(0 still MCM 1 mobile MCM)

(11)

0-1-2 (0 linear 1 rotational 2 static device)

(12)

0-1-2 (0 discontinuous bidirectional 1 discontinuous unidirectional 2 continuous)

3.

Classification discussion

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(9)

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The classification scheme has been applied to a wide set of 48 publications reporting results on prototypes and
test sections for the characterization of Active Magnetic Regenerators (AMR). Not only new devices but also
new experiments on earlier prototypes are reported. The results are shown in Table 1.
The prototypes and test sections listed in Table 1 have been ordered under the following rules.

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The first level is the bit number 1, simple or double effect, which discriminates AMR test sections used for
numerical model validation, heat transfer analysis, AMR process visualization and characterization under
different operating conditions (cooling load, temperature span between hot and cold thermal sources, utilization
factor) from more complex assemblies.

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Single effect devices are mainly intended to study the AMR process without circuit complications or
interferences. Within this simple configuration there are no cross effects which can be generated from the
interaction among multiple regenerators (fluid flow rate imbalances, flow mal-distributions, geometrical
differences and manufacturing or building defects). The magnetic source is usually a permanent magnet

structure, which is usually very simple (digit 3, value 0: simple magnetic expansions) or in a well-known

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configuration which doesnt require a custom design (digit 3, value 2: Halbach configuration). A more advanced
solution with the magnetic circuit adopting flux concentrators is used in [12]. Electromagnets can be used as
well, as no performance (in terms of Coefficient of Performance related to the useful refrigeration effect) is

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needed.

The second level for the device ordering is the three digit combination related to the movement configuration
(digits 10 to 12).

The obtained ordered sequence of devices can be analyzed to find technological solutions which are similar or
identical with the exception of some aspects.

It is possible to sort the devices on the basis of any bit, to analyze the feature of interest and to perform a deep

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analysis on a single aspect, with a description which is independent on the actual engineering solution adopted
by each author.

In what follows, some considerations on Table 1 are outlined, also evidencing some original solutions and other

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relatively common solutions. A most frequent configuration can be of course identified.

Digit 2 (type of magnetic source) shows that many test section and near all the performance oriented prototypes
use permanent magnet circuits. This is easily understood when thinking that the most studied devices are
oriented to room temperature refrigeration, where a high coefficient of performance is needed, and therefore the
use of electro-magnets would be too energy demanding.

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Digit 3 (permanent magnet circuit type) shows that the use of concentrators is the most common solution for the
magnetic circuit arrangement. This allows obtaining high magnetic field intensities with a relatively low magnet
volume, reducing the overall cost of the magnets. Simple magnets or Halbach based magnets are mostly used in
AMR test devices, maybe as they do not require a specific design process and can be available without custom

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machining processes. An exception is the concentric double Halbach configuration [13], an idea which can be
found also in the test section by Shir [14]. The magnetic field intensity inside the AMR volume is varied in a
periodic way by the relative rotation of two concentric Halbach magnets. The device is performance oriented and
has been subjected to intensive testing.

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The peculiarity of the device by Tura and Rowe [13] and of the one by Shir [14] is clearly evidenced by digit 4.
Their devices are the only one to exhibit the value 1, which stands for field composition of moving magnets.
Digit 5 displays the number of layers which composes the AMR regenerator. The most frequent solution is the
single-layer regenerator. This could be explained by considering that the majority of the quantitative

experimental data available nowadays comes from gadolinium based devices. The first approach to the design

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and testing of a room temperature magnetic refrigerator device can reasonably be faced with gadolinium based
regenerators, in order to have a direct comparison of the obtained results to known literature data. The most
relevant multi-layer device has been presented in [15], which report the performance of a six layered AMR bed

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refrigerator. This indicator also shows that the results currently published by the scientific community are mainly
concerned to process description, with only few publications about devices oriented to performance.

Digit 6 shows that the ordered geometry (parallel plates, wires) is more frequently adopted than the disordered
one. Both of the two choices have benefits and drawbacks. For instance, geometrical parameters (void fraction,
channel arrangements, and so on) can be easily controlled with ordered geometries, while fluid flow uniformity
can be reasonably guaranteed with a proper packed bed arrangement.

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Digit 8 highlights the solutions with a continuous unidirectional motion between the fluid and the regenerator
material, that is, those exploiting the concept early conceived by Steyert [16].

Almost all the devices present a relative motion between magnet and regenerator (digit 9 value equal to 1).

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Digits 10 to 12 describe the solution chosen for this relative motion. Solutions which are apparently similar are
easily distinguished, for instance the device by Okamura [17] and the device by Tusek et al. [18] both have a
rotating magnet configuration, but one is discontinuous (Okamura, sequence 1011) and one is continuous
(Tusek, sequence 1012).

In a steady state machine, reciprocating movements are not allowed regarding any component like magnets,

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regenerator, fluid, valves and so on. All the elements of the device stay at rest or always move in a steady state
fashion. Applied torques is constant. It seems that only rotary, valve-less, magnetically balanced devices fit these
requirements. It is opinion of the authors that this characteristic is very important for the overall performance, as
all the losses associated to the inertia of various elements are avoided and the reliability is highly increased. It is

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also believed that steady state operations could be, in perspective, a boost for the development and diffusion of
the magnetic refrigeration technology.

A most frequent solution can be outlined. Considering only the double effect devices Table 2 shows the 12
digits for the most common solution.

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Selecting, as an example, the year 2010 as a threshold to highlight recent trend in magnetic refrigeration
prototype design, some definite choices can be individuated from the analysis of the digits. In particular it can be
noted that digits 2,7 and 8 assume, starting from year 2010, a stable value of zero, that is, the configuration
involving: permanent magnets, liquid vector fluid and non Steyert configuration appears to be well established.

Digit 5 shows an increased tendency towards multilayer MCM arrangements while digit 10 reports a modest

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tendency to still MCM. Other tendencies are difficult to be found in the remaining digits, considered alone. But
this does not exhaust the possible investigations that can be performed using the table, since one can group some
digits and look for trends end/or correlations to other groups or single digits.

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The list of prototypes as collected in Table 1 has been coupled to a short description, in table form, of each
device features, comprising their main available thermodynamic and functional characteristics, like refrigeration
capacity, COP, temperature span, employed fluid, MC material, frequency of operation and so on.

4.

A note about motion digits

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A potential limit of the proposed classification is that it discriminates among topological differences rather than
among engineering implementation of the devices. On the other hand, each refrigeration machine is a unique
original embodiment of some underlying idea, so that it would be impractical to refine the classification to

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account for actual operative features.

To clarify this concept, reference is made to the relative motion between MCM and fluid referring to the device
depicted in figure 1.

Irrespective of the MCM motion that can be continuous or discontinuous, it is easy to note from the figure that
the device reported as A.2 (the same coding from [10] has been used), characterized by axial fluid flow, can be

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easily transformed to the radial equivalent (in the sense that fluid moves from the center axes to the outer of the
disk and vice versa) simply by a plastic forming of the cylinder plus a circuit rearrangement. In the reported
example the MC material of the axial device presents higher temperature on the right side while in its radial
counterpart higher temperature are to be found in the external part of the circumference of the disk.

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The proposed taxonomy considers this radial device a mere variant of its axial configuration, without any
differences between the two which are indeed topologically equivalent. Nevertheless, the considered machines
will probably reveal very different design and manufacturing challenges. One can see, for instance, that one is
the patented incarnation of the radial device of the type A.2r [19] opposite to the original axial device A.2 found

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in another patent [20] or in the device described in [21]. By the way, the fact that the inventor groups are for a
large extent the same in both patents suggests that the radial embodiment was an ideal evolution or, in any cases,
a modification of the axial one.

5.

Second-law aspects of presented devices

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It is often said that magnetic refrigeration is by far a superior technology due to the nearly isentropic processes
which perform better in comparison to usual compression and expansion processes found in traditional
refrigeration systems. However, even neglecting magnetic irreversibility and referring specifically to the

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thermodynamic cycle, a definite amount of entropy is generated in the ARM (active magnetic regenerator) due to
the finite temperature difference needed for the heat exchange between the thermal fluid and the MC material.
Moreover, thermal fluid pumping and MCM/magnet relative movements are subjected to large friction effects
which negatively affect the performance of the device.

A brief investigation on this subject is made with reference to Table 1 to highlight the second-law efficiency of
magnetic refrigerators. Since this analysis requires specific values to be declared by the Authors (COP and

particular those presented in Table 3.

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associated temperature span) only a small number of the devices collected in Table 1 have been considered, in

Roughly defining the second-law efficiency as the ratio between the actual COP and the maximum COP

II =

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achievable for given hot and cold source temperatures, TH and TC, that is

T TC
COP
= COP H
COPCarnot
TC

(1)

it is easy to calculate the second-law performance of a given devices on the basis of available operational data
coming from Table 3. To simplify the calculation, we assume the denominator of Eq.(1) equal to the standard of

II

value of magnetic refrigerators is slightly approximated but, in this way, we avoid the

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273 K. In this way the

need of the precise knowledge of Tc.

Only for eight prototypes the calculation was feasible and, of these, only four showed values comparable to those

II well below 0.1.

Moreover, if we look

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of common vapor compression system, the other presenting values of

at the temperature span achieved by these four devices, we find values in the range from 3 K up to 10 K; values
still too low for actual refrigeration applications.
The fact that the COP values reported in Table 3 are not always consistent since in some cases they represent

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cycle COP while in some others they are electrical COP (based on measured global electric consumption,
because of the difficulties of directly measure magnetic and pumping works) does not affect the above statement.
So, although in a few cases magnetic refrigerators can provide an interesting amount of cooling power, the
overall performance in terms of temperature span and efficiency is, by the time, limited.

It is worth noting that when authors like Chen [22] affirmed that the AMR cycle approach the Carnot one, an

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ideal regeneration is considered, with negligible thermal resistance between the MC material and the thermal

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fluid, and with negligible fluid flow friction.

Remarks

The proposed classification method is an instrument to compare different magnetic refrigerator devices from a
conceptual point of view. Irrespective of the engineering solutions adopted, of the device size, and of the device
performance, this classification highlights the topology of a device.

Different tasks can be performed with this instrument. The simpler is the comparison between two different

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devices, which could be topologically identical even if showing a look quite different from each other, due to
different engineering design choices in the actual prototype build. Identification of common or peculiar
configurations can be performed too. Topological search among the analyzed devices can be performed, by

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ordering the data with respect to a parameter (digit) of specific interest.

The pro of this classification embeds also its limit. There is little information on the device performance in this
description. So, even if one can discriminate among different solutions, there is no information on which
solution is better. A consistent performance comparison is however not a straightforward task, as outlined in
[23], and such a consistent description should be required to add relevant information to this classification. An

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attempt along these lines is made in the study but various elements are left out.
There is however a strong potential in this approach. If a more detailed and consistent performance description is
available, and the required experimental data are available too, a performance map can be overlapped to this
topological map. In this way the analysis can be extended to the device performance giving information on

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which configuration is the most promising, thus giving valuable information to guide future developments and to
choice the right investments in research and technological development in this field. To this time, however, data
from known prototypes has been added more as a reference than to address the most capable technology. Indeed,
the performance of actual prototype is strongly linked to the accuracy of the construction as well as to the chosen

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topology. Only within a few years, when a large number of embodiments will reach a more mature development
stage, the right technology will emerge from this kind of comparison.
To enhance the impact of this kind of analysis, two further elements are desired: a database grouping both
topological and operational prototype features and a standardization of these features. Indeed, as can be noted

from Table 1, important data are often missing in the reference works presenting a new implementation, so that

Conclusions

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7.

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the definition of a minimal set of characteristics to be reported is advisable and recommended.

A previously developed topological classification of room temperature magnetic refrigerators has been applied to
a large set of published devices and complemented by useful information about the performance of the devices.
The classification can be used to perform an investigation on the analyzed set, highlighting common solutions as
well as peculiar solutions. Differences between test (proof of principle) oriented and performance oriented
device are evidenced too.

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The potential of this tool as a guide for systems analysis and development, if used in combination with a
performance map of the different prototypes, is stressed and the need of a comprehensive, up to date data base
about prototypes founded on the adoption of a standard set of performance features is remarked.

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By encouraging the adoption of the proposed taxonomy, this work wants to be a further step along the path of
standardization of magnetic refrigeration.

References

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[1] Weiss P.; Piccard A. Le phnomne magntocalorique. J. Phys. Theor. Appl. 1917; 7 (1): 1039.
[2] Smith A. Who discovered the magnetocaloric effect? Eur. Phys. J. H 2013; 38 (4): 50717.
[3] Debye, P., 1926. Einige Bemerkungen zur Magnetisierung bei tiefer Temperatur. Ann. Phys.-Berlin 1926
386 (25), 1154-1160 (Article first published online: 14 Mar 2006, doi: 10.1002/andp.19263862517).

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[4] Giauque, W.F., 1927. A thermodynamic treatment of certain magnetic effects. a proposed method of
producing temperatures considerably below 1 absolute. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 49 (8), 1864-1870.
[5] Brown GV. Magnetic heat pumping near room temperature. J Appl Phys 1976; 47: 3673-80.
[6] Gschneidner KA Jr, Pecharsky VK. Thirty years of near room temperature magnetic cooling: where we are
today and future prospects. Int J Refrig 2008; 31(6): 945-61.

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[7] Yu B, Liu M, Egolf PW, Kitanovski A. A review of magnetic refrigerator and heat pump prototypes built
before the year 2010. Int J Refrig 2010; 33: 1029-60.

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[8] Tagliafico LA, Scarpa F, Canepa F, Tagliafico G. Room temperature magnetic refrigeration technology. In:

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Larsen, Mikkel E. (Ed.). Refrigeration: Theory, Technology and Applications, New York: Nova Science
Publishers; 2011, p. 71-131.

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linear reciprocating magnetic refrigerators. Renew Sust Energ Rev 2013; 21: 112

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an

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pte

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pte

Figure captions

Figure 1. Radial versus axial embodiment of the A.2 topology [10]. For any given fluid flow motion, the
direction of rotation of the MCM is irrelevant, even if in case A.2 the fluid flow is axial and in case A.2r the

ce

fluid flow is radial.

ac

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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
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25
26
27
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29
30
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32
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35
36
37
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39
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41
42
43
44
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61
62
63
64
65

15

Figure

pte
d

ma

nu

scr
i

pt

Figure

ac
ce

Figure 1

[25]

Kawanami

2005

[26]

Trevizoli

2011

[12]

Tusek

2013

0\1

[27]

Tusek

2014

1\
2\4\7

[28]

Vuarnoz

2013

[14]

Shir

2005

[29]

Bour

2009

[5]

Brown

1976

[30]

Clot

2003

[31]

Czernuszewicz 2014

Gao

2006

10

11

12

7.8

0.1\1.0

0.8

H2O

Gd, 1 mm sheets

0.015

0.016

0.9

Air

Gd, chips

20

4.45

0.14

1.65

H2O

Gd, 0.85 mm
plates

53.5

19.8

0.155\0.33 1.15

66% H2O
33%
antifreeze

Gd,
various ARM

3.9

7 (2K)

dm

0.15\0.45

1.15

66% H2O
33%
antifreeze

Gd,
LaFeCoSi
multilayer

2.8

.25\.33

0.97

H2O

Gd, 1mm plates

gen00

0.083

Helium

Gd

16.1

0.05\1.0

1.1

Zitrec S

Gd, 0.63 mm
plates

47

80% H2O
20% Ethyl

Gd, 1 mm plates

8.8 (4K)
1.6 (7K)

2.2 (4K)

0.417

0.8

H2O

Gd, 1 mm plates

0.9

0.025

H2O+
ethylene
Glycol

Gd, 2 to 5 mm
particles

18.7 (3K)
17.8 (3K)
10.3 (3K)

H2O

Gd, 0.30 mm
particles Gd,
0.55 mm particles
Gd5Si2Ge3 0.30.75 mm particles

6.2 (1K)

pte

34 (1K)
[calc.]

23

cce

[32]

AMR material

frequency [Hz]

COP (Dtspan)

2009

Max Temp. span [K]

Dupuis

Specific cooling power

[W/kg]

[24]

an
us
cri

Max Cooling power [W]

(Dtspan)

Ref. Year

Reference

Ref. First name

Table 1. Classification criteria applied to 48 published devices complemented by their main functional features.
Sorting arrangement: bit 1 bit group 10/11/12 alphabetical

Thermal fluid

Tables

Max Magnetic induction

[T]

pt

Table

43

39.5
7.2
-

20.1
16.1
8.5

15\25

0.16\0.33

2.18

[34]

Legait

2014

1\4

10

11

12

Gatti

2014

[36]

Yin

2012

[37]

Zheng

2009

[17]

Okamura

2005

[38]

Okamura

2007

[39]

Arnold

2014

2014

[40]

Russek

2010

[41]

Tura

2007

[13]

Tura

2011

[42]

Vasile

2006

0\1

pt
-

1.6

5, 8,
10.5,
11

0.1\1.43

0.8

38

0.5\2

1.17

12

0.1\0.16

1.5

concept

60 (1.1K)
30 (5.3K)

60
30

540 (0.2K)

135

7.5

96
(15K)

148

33

2001

18

933

17

50

pte

Jacobs

3042
2090 (12K)

840
400 (10K)

cce

[15]

dm

[35]

12

50 (10K)

455

29

concept

75% H2O
25%
antifreez
e
alkalesce
nt H2O
H2O

0.15 (1K) 0.417

0.77

H2O

1.8

0.1\0.41

1.1

H2O

0.2\4.0

1.54

80% H2O
20%
Glycol

1.9 (11K) 4

Helium

1.5

1.6/2.2/
10 (2.5
K)
-

1.44

H2O

2.5\4.7

1.4

H2O

0.5\3.0

1.47

H2O

2 and 4

1.47

1\2.4

AMR material

Thermal fluid

Max Magnetic induction

[T]

frequency [Hz]

COP (Dtspan)

Max Temp. span [K]

2009

Specific cooling power

[W/kg]

Kim

an
us
cri

Ref. Year

[33]

Max Cooling power [W]

(Dtspan)

Ref. First name

Reference

80% H2O
20%
Glycol
-

Gd, 325500m
particles
PrSrMnO3,
LaFeCoSi, 1\4
layers Gd,
1mm plates
Gd, 0.6 mm
blades
Gd, 0.6-0.85
mm spheres
Gd
4 Gd based
alloys
(multilayer)
Gd, 0.5 mm
spheres
Gd, 0.5 mm
spheres
LaFeSiH
multilayer,
0.3 mm
spheres
Gd, 0.25-0.35
spherical
powder
Gd, 0.6 mm
particles
Gd, 0.3 mm
spheres
Gd

[44]

Balli

2012

[45]

Lu

2005

[46]

Richard

2004

1\
2

6.6 (7K)
6.6 (4K)

77
73

16
20

[47]

Romero

2013

16.7

3.5

[48]

Tagliafico

2013

[49]

Yao

2006

51.3 (18.16K) 87.9

42.28

[50]

Zimm

1998

600 (10K)

23

[51]

Aprea

2014

[20]

Bahl

2011

10

11

12

2014

[53]

Bohigas

2000

[54]

Chen

2007

[55]

Coelho

2009

240

166

11.5

22

13 (0k)
8 (3.5K)
4 (7K)
-

1\2

1.5

H2O

Gd, plates

0.5

1.45

Silicon oil,
zitrec, water

Gd, 1mm plates

0.3\0.9

Helium

Gd, flakes
Gd+Gd0.74Si0.26
flakes

0.07\0.
125

H2O

Gd, 0.5 mm sheets

1.55
0.5\1.0

9.5 (10K)

1.5
5

13.5

0.36\1.
8

1.25

design and
construction

1.24

1010
200 (18.9K)

pte

Bahl

cce

[52]

220

dm

360

40 (6.7K)
-

40
-

AMR material

Thermal fluid

2007

Max Magnetic induction

[T]

pt

Zimm

frequency [Hz]

[43]

COP (Dtspan)

Ref. Year

an
us
cri

Max Temp. span [K]

Specific cooling power

[W/kg]

Max Cooling power [W]

(Dtspan)

Ref. First name

Reference

50% H2O 50%

Gd, 0.8 mm plates
Ethyl
Helium
Gd particles
Gd, 0.15-0.3 mm
H2O
spheres
Gd, 0.4-0.5 mm
H2O
spheres
-

Gd, spheres
perovskite, 0.2 mm
plates, 10 regions

25

0\10

1.24

80% H2O+
20%
ethyleneglycol

Gd, 0.35-0.85 mm
spheres
Gd, 0.25-0.8 mm
spheres

1.6/5

4.0\50

0.3\0.9
5

oil

Gd, thin ribbon

11.5

0.1\0.6
7

1.5

H2O

Gd, 0.5 mm
particles

11

0.5

2.3

Ethyl

Gd, 1 mm x 11 mm
pins

[20]

Kitanovsky

2009

concept

[57]

Lozano

2013

400 (10.2K)
200 (16.8K)

[58]

Sarlah

2006

concept

[18]

Tusek

2010

design \
construction

[59]

Wang

2010

[60]

Zimm

2006

48

[16]

Steyert

1978

concept

[61]

Rowe

2006

10

11

12

cce

pte

1\2 0\1

142.9

dm

pt
-

0.9

H2O

Gd, 0.76 mm disks

1.24

80% H2O
20% Glycol

Gd, 0.25-0.8 mm
spheres

0.25\4
.0

0.95

H2O

Gd, 0.3 mm plates

9.2

H2O

Gd alloy,

1.46(10K)
8.6 (cycle 1.24
only)

2.9

AMR material

Thermal fluid

Max Magnetic induction

[T]

frequency [Hz]

1987

COP (Dtspan)

Kirol

Max Temp. span [K]

an
us
cri

Ref. Year

[56]

Specific cooling power

[W/kg]

Max Cooling power [W]

(Dtspan)

Ref. First name

Reference

25

0.5\4.
0

1.5

H2O

Gd, GdEr, LaFeSiH,

Gd+GdEr (multilayer)

51

0.65\1
.0

1.5\2

Helium

3 Gd based alloy
(multilayer), 250650m particles

1\2

pt

10

11

12

0\1

Motion
regenerator magnet

N layers

nu

Relative
motion

Field
imposition

scr
i

Source type

Heat transfer
fluid

Magnetic
source

Digit
most frequent

Regenerator
structure

Single/multi
effect

Table 2. Most frequent classification among the double effect devices

[50]
[30]
[17]

COP (Dtspan)

COP Carnot

second-law efficiency

ma
Max Temp. span [K]

Max Cooling power [W]

(Dtspan)

Ref. Year

pte
d

Reference

Ref. First name

Table 3. Second-law performance of some devices

Zimm

1998

600 (10K)

23

0.35

27.30

9.5 (10K)

Clot

2003

8.8 (4K)
1.6 (7K)

0.03

68.30

2.2 (4K)

Okamura

2005

60 (1.1K)
30 (5.3K)

0.0005

273.00

0.15 (1K)

Gao

2005

[38]

Okamura

2007

18.7 (3K)
17.8 (3K)
10.3 (3K)
540 (0.2K)

[43]

Zimm

2007

220

[13]

Tura

2011

50 (10K)

[57]

Lozano

2013

400 (10.2K)
200 (16.8K)

0.32
0.05

27.30

1.46(10K)
8.6 (cycle
only)

[15]

Jacobs

2014

3042
2090 (12K)

18

0.075

24.80

1.9 (11K)

ac
ce

[32]

0.27

91.00

25(3K)

7.5
11.5

0.003
0
0.1
0.1

546.00
infinity
78
39

1.8 (0.5K)
13 (0k) 8
(3.5K)
4(7K)

29

0.091

109.00

1.6/2.2/10
(2.5 K)