Transient Analysis of a Magnetic Refrigerator.

Abstract

An experimental refrigerator that uses rare earth elements as the refrigerant is modeled using NASTRAN. These elements are ferromagnetic metals whose temperatures rise when a magnetic field is applied and fall when the magnetic field is removed. The refrigerator removes heat from a reservoir and discharges it through a heat exchanger. In the NASTRAN model, the components modeled are represented by one-dimensional ROD elements. The analysis accounts for heat flow in the solids, heat transport in the fluid, and heat transfer between the solids and fluid. The problem is mildly nonlinear since the heat capacity of the refrigerant is temperature-dependent. One simulation run consists of a series of transient analyses, each representing one stroke of the refrigerator. An auxiliary program was written that uses the results of one NASTRAN analysis to generate data for the next NASTRAN analysis. The report gives the method of analysis, results obtained by the method, and recommendations for improvements. The method produces good results when compared with experimental data. Keywords: Transient heat analysis; Finite element models; HEATSTEP computer program. (Author).

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA166892

Entities

People

  • Erwin A. Schroeder

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Elements
  • Experimental Data
  • Heat Capacity
  • Heat Exchangers
  • Heat Transfer
  • Heat Transmission
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Rare Earth Elements
  • Refrigerants
  • Simulations

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.