Magnetics Business & Technology - July/August 2022 - 34

VISIONS
Bakker Magnetics Produces Complex Assembly for Cooling Research at DTU
The innovation could potentially contribute to the goal of a
CO2-neutral Europe. In addition to sustainable cooling, the
versatile system can also provide space heating and hot water.
Conceivable applications include refrigerators, wine coolers
and air conditioners but this energy-efficient technology also
has intriguing implications when it comes to cooling processes
on a larger industrial scale.
Bakker's part of the project has been to draw on its expertise
to assemble the magnetic part of the pump and the magnetic
forces involved, using highly complex Halbach arrays in the
process.
A precise and accurate approach was key. One of the most
complex systems that the company has ever built, it says, one
of its employees spent six months assembling the magnetic
component.
Supporting a Danish university research project in sustainable
cooling, Bakker Magnetics has helped fabricate a magnetocaloric
heat pump that involves one of the most complex magnetic
systems it has ever built. Shown above are the two halves of
the magnet system, as seen from below.
Magnetic cooling with water enables energy efficient cooling
without the use of hydrofluorcarbon gases, a technique that
the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) has been studying.
The recent effort continues its well-established history of
research in the field.
The magnetocaloric group at
DTU designed a new prototype,
called MagQueen. It is
a magnetocaloric heat pump
designed to supply the heating
needs of a typical Danish
house for one family. The
project involved designing a
rotary active magnetic regenerator
heat pump device with a
multi-bed concept.
MagQueen prototype
reduce the eddy currents, allowing the device to run at cycle
frequencies up to 3 Hz. The design of the regenerator housing
was optimized with respect to parasitic losses and even flow
distribution in both directions. The device produced a maximum
heating power of 950 W, a performance that could be an
important milestone in the development of future magnetocaloric
devices, say the researchers.
Materials development is also a factor in such research as the
magnetocaloric properties of certain metals are crucial. These
properties operate in a limited critical temperature range, and
coming up with an alloy that offers a wide critical temperature
range is a key aspect. Another company that collaborated on
the project is Vacuumschmelze GmbH, a leading developer
and producer of magnetic alloys.
Cross-section view of MagQueen
34 Magnetics Business & Technology * July/August 2022
According to Bakker, its collaboration with the university stems
from a long-standing relationship based on knowledge of
magnetism, materials, adhesive properties, coatings and the
dangers involved in working with magnetism. For more info,
see www.bakkermagnetics.com, and www.dtu.dk.
www.MagneticsMag.com
http://www.bakkermagnetics.com http://www.dtu.dk http://www.MagneticsMag.com
Magnetics Business & Technology - July/August 2022

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