Modelling and simulation of a Gd-based thermomagnetic motor.

The initial developments on thermomagnetic motors date from 1880's with the patents of Edison and Tesla. More recently, due to the developments on magnetic cooling systems and magnetocaloric materials around room temperature, research on thermomagnetic motors has gained interest. This work presents a theoretical modeling of a reciprocating thermomagnetic motor based on Tesla's concept. The mathematical model solves the solid energy equation and the finite volume method was implemented. Gd is used as magnetic material, and its magnetic properties are obtained from WDS model. The Gd block have the dimensions of 100x100x10mm. To warm up and cool down the Gd block, a hot and cold water streams, respectively, are considered. A magnetic field of 1.33 T is generated by a NdFeB magnetic circuit. The main results are the net force acting on the plate. Additional results for temperature distribution are presented.