Modeling of a novel digital hydraulic system for a magnetic refrigerator.

In rotary magnetic refrigerators, the flow distribution system can be the major energy-consuming component of the overall transmission system. Most magnetic refrigerators developed to this date employ rotary valves (face-to-face sealing) for the fluid flow management. In this work, a mathematical model of a novel digital hydraulic system for a magnetic refrigerator was developed. The modeling parameters of the flow distribution system were based on the operating conditions of the device developed at POLO/UFSC. By varying the input parameters for the solenoid valves and the system operating conditions, the dynamic response of the hydraulic system was evaluated in terms of the absolute pressure and the volumetric fluid flow rate at any point of the circuit. The energy consumption of the digital hydraulic system was also determined. Based on the solenoid valves power consumption, a qualitative analysis was carried out to compare the new solenoid valve system to that of a face-to-face flow management system.