Magnetic refrigeration system

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a magnetic refrigeration system includes a first heat exchange section, a magnetic field changing section, a first heat transport medium, a second heat transport medium, and a transport section. The first heat exchange section includes a magnetocaloric effect material. The magnetic field changing section is configured to change magnetic field to the first heat exchange section. The second heat transport medium is separated from the first heat transport medium. The second heat transport medium is different from the first heat transport medium in specific heat per unit volume. The transport section is configured to sequentially feed the first heat exchange section with the first heat transport medium and the second heat transport medium.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetic refrigeration system comprising:
 a first heat exchange section including a magnetocaloric effect material;   a magnetic field changing section configured to change magnetic field to the first heat exchange section;   a first heat transport medium;   a second heat transport medium separated from the first heat transport medium and being different from the first heat transport medium in specific heat per unit volume; and   a transport section configured to sequentially feed the first heat exchange section with the first heat transport medium and the second heat transport medium.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the transport section feeds the first heat exchange section with the first heat transport medium having a higher specific heat per unit volume than the second heat transport medium, and   the magnetic field changing section applies the magnetic field to the first heat exchange section to cause the heat exchange section to generate heat.   
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the transport section feeds the first heat exchange section with the first heat transport medium having a higher specific heat per unit volume than the second heat transport medium, and   the magnetic field changing section removes the magnetic field applied to the first heat exchange section to cause the heat exchange section to absorb heat.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first heat exchange section includes a first region and a second region configured to pass the heat transport media,   when the first region is fed with the first heat transport medium, the second region is fed with the second heat transport medium, and   when the first region is fed with the second heat transport medium, the second region is fed with the first heat transport medium.   
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein one of the first heat transport medium and the second heat transport medium is liquid, and the other is gas. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second heat exchange section configured to perform heat exchange between the first heat transport medium flowing out of the first heat exchange section and a heat exchange target.   
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an ejecting section configured to eject the second heat transport medium to outside on inflow side of the second heat exchange section; and   a feeding section configured to feed the second heat transport medium from outside on outflow side of the second heat exchange section.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the first heat transport medium is liquid,   the second heat transport medium is gas, and   the ejecting section includes a gas-liquid separation membrane.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein the feeding section feeds the second heat transport medium in a same amount as the second heat transport medium ejected by the ejecting section. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetocaloric effect material includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Gd (gadolinium), a Gd compound, an intermetallic compound made of various rare earth elements and transition metal elements, a Ni 2 MnGa alloy, a GdGeSi compound, a LaFe 13 -based compound, and LaFe 13 H. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field changing section includes a magnetic field generating section and a moving section configured to change relative position of the first heat exchange section and the magnetic field generating section. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field changing section includes an electromagnet and a switch configured to switch between energization and deenergization of the electromagnet. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a piping connecting the first heat exchange section, the second heat exchange section, and the transport section in a closed loop.   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first heat transport medium and the second heat transport medium are separated from each other. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first heat transport medium and the second heat transport medium are one of gas, liquid, and solid. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second heat transport medium is air or nitrogen gas. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first heat transport medium is at least one selected from the group consisting of water, an oil-based medium, and a solvent-based medium. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the transport section circulates the first heat transport medium and the second heat transport medium in a channel formed in a closed loop.