The numerical study on performance evaluation of a thermal switch capacitor in a magnetocaloric cooling device

In the article The numerical study on performance evaluation of a thermal switch capacitor in a magnetocaloric cooling device, published in the journal iScience (IF 6.107), researchers from the Laboratory of Refrigeration and District Energy at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering numerically analyze the performance of a thermal control element (thermal switch capacitor) in a magnetocaloric cooling device. The selected operating concept was then used for active cooling of the battery system.

The article is available at the following link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004222017898

Abstract

Compact, solid thermal control devices offer a new way to control the intensity and direction of heat flow between the components of a system, which is crucial for both optimized performance and safety. In this work we study a thin, silicon thermal switch capacitor (TSC) used for heat transport in a magnetocaloric cooling system. A numerical model was developed to quantify the effects of various operating conditions and design parameters on the performance of a magnetocaloric device with an embedded TSC. Based on realistic material properties, a maximum cooling-power density of 4000 Wm^-2 (2025 ) was obtained for a zero temperature span and an operating frequency of 20 Hz. The use of the presented device was demonstrated on a battery system, motivating further experimental studies to develop a new, compact cooling device that can be directly attached to a heat reservoir, making it desirable for a variety of applications.