Magnetic refrigeration

♤ Magnetic refrigeration is a cooling technology based on the magnetocaloric effect (ME). This technique can be used to attain extremely low temperatures, as well as the ranges used in common refrigerators.

♤ ME refers to the warming and cooling of a magnetic material when a magnetic field is applied and removed.

♤ Gadolinium and its alloys are the best material known for magnetic refrigeration near room temperature

♤ As of 2013 this technology had proven commercially viable only for ultra-low temperaturecryogenicapplications which is used in spacecrafts but The discovery of giant magnetocaloric effect (GME) (some alloy of Gadolinium) materials will significantly accelerate the development of cost effective magnetic refrigeration appliances for small temperature spans, such as room and automotive air conditioners.

♤ Advantage: It is more energy efficient and environment friendly than conventional vapour cycle refrigeration as there is no compression/expansion and no use of HFCs, CFCs, hazardous ammonia.

♤ The magnetic refrigeration is already competitive compared to vapour cycle refrigeration in large scale applications such as gas liquefaction, super-market sized freezers, air-conditioning of large spaces, industrial chemical processing