Sizing of a reversible magnetic heat pump for the automotive industry

• First steps on the design of a magnetocaloric heat pump for automotive applications.
• Overall dynamic model of a magnetocaloric air-conditioning system.
• Up to 1.60 kW of cooling power with a temperature span of 37 K is required.
• Heating requirements are 3.39 kW over a span of 40 K.
• Main strategies are to use multilayer AMRs and optimize the frequency.

This paper focuses on the design of an innovative air-conditioning system, namely a magnetocaloric air-conditioner for an electric minibus. An integrated design of the complete system is necessary, as the hot and cold side of the regenerator will work under dynamic conditions which depend on the instantaneous thermal load in the cabin.In order to assist the design of the system, a dynamic model has been developed for the cabin, the hydraulic loops and heat exchangers, and the magnetocaloric unit. This paper presents (i) a description of the dynamic models, (ii) an analysis of the operating conditions of the magnetocaloric unit and (iii) a discussion on the design of the magnetocaloric air-conditioner. The results show that the electric minibus requests 1.60 kW of cooling power over a span of 37 K in cooling mode, and 3.39 kW of heating power over a span of 40 K.