Open AccessOrigin and avoidance of double peaks in the induced voltage of a thermomagnetic generator for harvesting low-grade waste heat
Author(s) -
Daniel Dzekan,
Tim Dalu Kischnick,
Anett Diestel,
Kornelius Nielsch,
S. Fähler
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
jphys energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2515-7655
DOI - 10.1088/2515-7655/ac5bdb
Subject(s) - thermomagnetic convection , generator (circuit theory) , materials science , magnetization , voltage , waste heat , magnetic field , power (physics) , topology (electrical circuits) , mechanics , electrical engineering , mechanical engineering , physics , thermodynamics , engineering , heat exchanger , quantum mechanics
Thermomagnetic harvesting is an emerging approach used to convert low-grade waste heat to electricity, which recently obtained a boost due to the development of both more efficient functional materials and innovative device concepts. Here, we examine a thermomagnetic generator which utilizes gadolinium as the thermomagnetic material and report on the double peaks of the induced voltage. Using a combination of experiments and theory we show that these double peaks originate from the interaction between an asymmetric magnetization curve and a pretzel-like magnetic field topology. Double peaks are detrimental for the output power and can be avoided by matching the magnetization change by adjusting the cold and hot fluid flow.