Use of nanoparticles to improve the magnetic generator performance for refrigeration applications: a comparative, sensitivity and parametric investigation

The magnetic generator (MG) can serve as a heat exchanger between the magnetocaloric effect compound and the flowing heat transfer fluid (HTF). Improving the energy performance of the MG requires proper cooling of the magnetocaloric material. Therefore, in this study, we numerically investigated the effect of nanoparticle (NP) injection on the cooling performance. Five non-ferrous types of NPs (i.e., AL₂O₃, Au, Co, Cu, and CuO) were compared, and a parametric study of the operating conditions was conducted. The results revealed that Au NPs showed the most effective performance in terms of thermo-physical properties with a sensitivity factor of S = 1.72. Furthermore, Au NPs illustrated the most qualified operating point at Reynolds of 500 and the porosity of 0.10.