Performance Evaluation of TRL-6 Magnetic Refrigeration Prototypes

Over the last few years, the attention to the carbon footprint of cooling systems has increased substantially, and along with them the demands for the development of more efficient and greener systems. For that, magnetocaloric refrigeration represents a promising solution despite its low technological maturity. This work presents the main finding on the design, commissioning, and performance evaluation of two magnetocaloric prototypes: a wine cooler and an air conditioner. The results demonstrate that the technology still requires improvements regarding the efficiency, cost, and mass of the systems, and the reliability of materials and components. However, investments in technology are expected to soar over the next years due to pressure from society and regulatory agencies.