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Enhanced electrocaloric efficiency via energy recovery

Author

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  • E. Defay

    (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
    Université Grenoble Alpes
    University of Cambridge
    Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST))

  • R. Faye

    (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST))

  • G. Despesse

    (Université Grenoble Alpes)

  • H. Strozyk

    (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST))

  • D. Sette

    (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST))

  • S. Crossley

    (University of Cambridge
    Stanford University)

  • X. Moya

    (University of Cambridge)

  • N. D. Mathur

    (University of Cambridge)

Abstract

Materials that show large and reversible electrically driven thermal changes near phase transitions have been proposed for cooling applications, but energy efficiency has barely been explored. Here we reveal that most of the work done to drive representative electrocaloric cycles does not pump heat and may therefore be recovered. Initially, we recover 75–80% of the work done each time BaTiO3-based multilayer capacitors drive electrocaloric effects in each other via an inductor (diodes prevent electrical resonance while heat flows after each charge transfer). For a prototype refrigerator with 24 such capacitors, recovering 65% of the work done to drive electrocaloric effects increases the coefficient of performance by a factor of 2.9. The coefficient of performance is subsequently increased by reducing the pumped heat and recovering more work. Our strategy mitigates the advantage held by magnetocaloric prototypes that exploit automatic energy recovery, and should be mandatory in future electrocaloric cooling devices.

Suggested Citation

  • E. Defay & R. Faye & G. Despesse & H. Strozyk & D. Sette & S. Crossley & X. Moya & N. D. Mathur, 2018. "Enhanced electrocaloric efficiency via energy recovery," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-04027-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04027-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Ming-Ding Li & Xiao-Quan Shen & Xin Chen & Jia-Ming Gan & Fang Wang & Jian Li & Xiao-Liang Wang & Qun-Dong Shen, 2022. "Thermal management of chips by a device prototype using synergistic effects of 3-D heat-conductive network and electrocaloric refrigeration," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Zhao, Weiwei & Zhang, Tongtong & Kildahl, Harriet & Ding, Yulong, 2022. "Mobile energy recovery and storage: Multiple energy-powered EVs and refuelling stations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).

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