Eventos Anais de eventos
COBEM 2021
26th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering
MAGNETIC REFRIGERATOR
Submission Author:
Edigar Botelho , RJ
Co-Authors:
Edigar Botelho, Julio Tedesco, Lucas Venancio Pires de Carvalho Lima
Presenter: Edigar Botelho
doi://10.26678/ABCM.COBEM2021.COB2021-2061
Abstract
A prototype of magnetic refrigerator is being developed via 3D printer in the Polytechnic Institute of the State of Rio de Janeiro. This project has the objective of enabling the construction of a model on a smaller scale, which could be analyzed for optimizations and improvements in terms of cooling efficiency. Besides, it can to collaborate with the scientific community on the subject of magnetic refrigeration and 3D printing. The prototype has been developed using 3D modeling software and built via rapid prototyping. In this way, it is possible to carry out various simplified tests on the manufacturing process. To guarantee a viable model, initial analysis on mechanical, fluid-dynamic and structural elements that make up the prototype were performed. The system is composed essentially of a gear where two sectors of magnetocaloric material is placed, which have the function of exchanging heat with the water that runs through the entire refrigeration circuit; two bearings that are also used to house four magnets, which produce the magnetic field necessary to induce the magnetocaloric effect; and the shaft, which has the function of directing the fluid to the internal sectors of the gear and serves as a support for its rotational movement. Instrumentation and finite element techniques were adopted to ascertain ranges of safety and efficiency parameters of the refrigerator. One of them is a leakage testing of the sealing element under water pressure, in order to ascertain the condition of the shaft and sealing elements of the retainer. Since leakages in the system could damage components of the prototype and emptying the water reservoir would hinder the heat exchange system. Friction tests between the retainer and the shaft were also carried out. This test enabled measure the forces contrary to the movement of the gear, that is connected to a stepper motor by means of a synchronizing belt. And finally, structural simulations using finite element software were made to guarantee a minimum deformation of the prototype. This simulations provide informations that ensure there would be no risks of fracture or change in the dimensional parameters, such in the case of the approximation between magnets. As a result of the tests, it was possible to acquire enough data to proceed with the assembly and manufacture of the other components that will make up the magnetic refrigerator prototype.
Keywords
magnetic refrigeration, Design, 3d printer
