Application of Magnetocaloric Heat Pumps in Mobile Air-Conditioning

Abstract

International audienceAir-conditioning (AC) is an important sub-system in electric vehicles (EVs). AC is responsible for the highest energy consumption among all the auxiliary systems. As the energy is delivered by the batteries, the power consumption for air-conditioning can imply a significant reduction of the vehicle autonomy. Given the actual state of the art and the temperature and power requirements, electrically driven compressors are the most feasible solution. However, vapour-compression systems are reaching their maximum efficiency. Using innovative technologies can improve the performance of standard systems and hereby increase the vehicle autonomy. This paper presents the first steps in the design of a magnetocaloric air-conditioner for an electric minibus. The system will include two reversible magnetocaloric heat pumps, one in the front part of a minibus and one on the rear. The heat rejection system of the power electronics will be coupled to the air-conditioning system. In order to assist the design of the system, a dynamic model has been developed for the cabin, the hydraulic loops and heat exchangers, and the magnetocaloric units. An integrated design of the complete system is necessary, as it will work under dynamic conditions which depend on the thermal load in the cabin. In this paper, the operation conditions of the magnetocaloric units are presented and the design of the magnetocaloric air-conditioner is discussed. This work has been developed under the frame of the European Project ICE which aims to develop an innovative mobile air-conditioning system for EVs based on a magnetocaloric heat pump

Advances on air conditioning and heat pump system in electric vehicles – A review

“…Torregrosa-Jaime et al [57,58,59] described the ICE project in details and published the first-round experimental results in application of MCE heat pump system in fully electric minibus. ICE Project is sponsored by the European Union and European mobile industry to apply Magneto Caloric heat pump systems to fulfill the thermal comfort and energy requirements of FEVs [60].…”

Review of Cabin Thermal Management for Electrified Passenger Vehicles

“…Often, a 4-way valve for reversing the refrigerant flow does the change between cooling and heating operation. Other heat pump technologies have been proposed for automotive use such as magnetocaloric heat pumps [100] and thermoelectric heat pumps based on Peltier-effect [101]. The vapor-compression systems in vehicles are reaching their maximum efficiency, which has directed the development towards using more innovative technologies that can further improve the performance of standard systems.…”