- AMES, Iowa - Scientists at
the Ames Laboratory say they have created the world's first magnetic refrigerator,
which someday may save consumers money on energy bills and be better for
the environment.
-
- "We're witnessing history in the making,'' said
Karl Gschneider Jr., senior metallurgist at the U.S. Department of Energy
lab said Monday.
-
- Laboratory researchers have worked for years to develop
magnetic refrigeration as an alternative to traditional cooling systems,
which emit gases that contribute to global warming.
-
- The new refrigerator uses a special metal that heats
up when exposed to a magnetic field, then cools when the magnetic field
is removed. It is the first device to operate at room temperature and use
a permanent magnet rather than large, awkward superconducting magnets.
-
- The rotary design features a wheel that is constructed
of an alloy known as gadolinium which heats up when passed through a high-powered
magnet. As the material leaves the magnetic field, the material cools down.
-
- The result is a system that is nearly silent, because
it is vibration free.
-
- Gschneider said magnetic refrigeration could someday
power air conditioners, freezers and other commercial and household systems.
-
- He said the technology also would save money because
the magnets do not require energy inputs to make them work.
-
- "So the only energy it takes is the electricity
for the motors to spin the wheel and drive the water pumps,'' he said.
-
- Initially the new appliances would run on 110 volts of
power, but battery-operated versions are a possibility in the future, Gschneider
said.
-
- A breakthrough occurred at the Ames Laboratory when researchers
Sasha Pecharsky and Vitalij Pecharsky developed a process for producing
large quantities of gadolinium, which is capable of producing a stronger
magnetic field and improves the refrigerator's efficiency.
-
- The Ames scientists are developing magnetic refrigeration
for Astronautics Corp. of America of Madison, Wisconsin, which wants to
market the technology to the public. The company took over the concept
from the Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1985 and devoted millions of
dollars to research.
-
- The Department of Energy and Astronautics Corp. are sharing
the cost of the project, Vitalij Pecharsky said. The Ames Laboratory has
spent about $2 million in federal money on the concept, he said.
-
- The researchers hope commercial production will start
in about a year with a major refrigeration or air conditioning company
purchasing the patent rights to manufacture appliances. Consumers probably
won't see the first model for sale for about eight years, Gschneider said.
-
- Gschneider said the new appliances will likely cost more
than the top of the line products on the market today, but will come down
in cost as manufacturers produce more.
-
- He said he has estimated that within five years, the
new appliance will have saved enough money through more efficient operation
to pay for the higher up-front purchase price.
-
- Magnetic refrigeration was discovered by scientists in
the 1920s, with slow improvements about every 20 years, Gschneider said.
-
- ___
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- Ames Laboratory Astronautics Corp. of America
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-
-
- Comment
-
- From John Albrecht
john2864@home.com
1-2-2
-
- As with any new technology, there are things to look
into before running-with or throwing money at it. Here are several items
that should be considered regarding this article.
-
- 1) There are refrigerators and other refrigeration units
available now that do not use so-called greenhouse compromising gases.
Ultra-high-efficiency and even solar powered units are available at competitive
costs.
-
- 2) High-power permanent magnets, especially those made
of rare-earth alloys have a tendency to lose substantial "strength"
over a fairly short period of time. This can be greatly accelerated by
heat, so that effective magnetic strength is lost within a year or even
less. In addition, this type of magnet will require special handling
and coating, as they "rust" and fracture very readily. Even
a tiny pin-hole in a coating will eventually result in oxidation of the
entire unit. These characteristics suggest a regularly replaced "core"
may be required for this type of refrigerator and it won't be cheap.
-
- 3) The only energy current refrigerators take is for
the electricity for the motor to spin the compressor (and for the little
light). So, what then is the advantage that the article is trying to
suggest exists when it states...
-
- ' "So the only energy it takes is the electricity
for the motors to spin the wheel and drive the water pumps,'' he said.'
(btw-moving high-powered magnets through fields to effect a heating response
can require quite a bit of energy). A power requirements statement is
what is needed here to compare apples to apples.
-
- 4) What will be the environmental impact of largescale
production of "gadolinium" magnets of the size and quantity
required?
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- Producing gadolinium from gadolinite requires significant
amounts of energy and exotic and toxic processes. Radioactive isotopes
are byproducts in some processes used to separate gadolinium and other
lanthanides from their mineral sources. The end may not justify the means,
environmentally speaking.
-
- Thus, one can see there are always elements to consider
in deciding to move to what seems like a "perfect" technology.
-
- Regards,
John Albrecht
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