A review of Magnetic Refrigeration Technology

Abstract

This paper reviews the magnetic refrigeration technology that is a novel cooling method utilizing magnetic field to obtain low temperature. The key component of the refrigeration is a novel magnetic refrigerant which should possess sufficiently large magneto-caloric effect so that a pseudo-Carnot magnetic refrigeration cycle can cover reasonably large temperature span. Otherwise, a regenerative concept should be employed to expand the temperature span of the refrigeration cycle. There is a growing interest in magnetic refrigeration as a viable refrigeration technology not only for cryogenics as well as room temperature range. This paper covers historical developments, fundamental concepts, key components, application classification, and recent research trend of magnetic refrigerators.