Development of magnetic refrigerator for room temperature application

Abstract

This paper describes experimental results of a magnetic refrigerator operated at room temperature. Spheres of Gadolinium, 2.2 kg in weight and 0.3 mm in diameter, are used as a magnetic working material. The magnetic materials were divided into two vessels and reciprocated between high and zero magnetic fields. High magnetic field up to 4 T was applied by a cryocooler cooled superconducting magnet. Refrigeration capacity of 100 W was obtained with operating frequency of 0.167 Hz. Details of the magnetic refrigerator construction and experimental results are presented.