Interesting new method for refrigeration and AC

[begreen]

A startup in Germany has developed a novel method for cooling that use no freon gases and is about 40% more efficient than the current freon refrigeration by using magnetocaloric materials. So far the results are impressive. Refrigeration is one of the key areas of change required for greenhouse gas reduction. A refrigerant-free cooling system is an important solution. Magnotherm also claims that this system is adaptable to efficient heat pumps. If so, that could bring about a major change in HVAC systems.

MAGNOTHERM

Next generation cooling - zero GWP, no toxicity, no explosivity

www.magnotherm.com

 

[stoveliker]

nice that there is a company doing this now. It's been long a staple of applied research in academia.

I could not find the material they use. If it's something with Gd or Rh, it'll be expensive. I hope that LaFeSi compounds make it to "real life" as those elements are fairly cheap.

 

[begreen]

Yes, gadolinium is one option, but they mention LaFeSi and Fe2P as other options. I am not sure what is used in their Polaris beverage cooler or prototypes. It looks like the MS90 testing device comes with a sample of gadolinium.