Projects:2019s1-113 High Curie Temperature Magnetic Materials

Abstract here

Project members

Project students

• Gitonga Njeru
• Nikko Mugweru Kahindi

Supervisors

• Dr Andrew Allison

1414 Degrees contacts

• Jordan Parham
• Grant Mathieson

Mechanical engineering contacts

• Dr Reza Ghomashchi
• Will Robertson
• James Anderson

Introduction

Overview

The current electric power sector is attempting to improve the availability, reliability, and security of energy supply to its consumers [1]. This has increased the need to integrate renewable energy into the electricity sector as a method to solve the issue of energy deficiency, particularly in remote off-grid settlements. However, the variability in the sources of renewable supply, accompanied by changes in the level of energy consumption has brought to focus the necessity for electrical energy storage systems (ESS)[1].

Currently, the Australian energy sector is using battery energy storage systems (BESS) which offers a significant saving in off-grid applications, but voltage fluctuations are a major issue with the integration of renewable energy [2]. Furthermore, BESS have reduced the efficiency with prolonged use due to degradation caused by high voltages [3]. As technology continues to improve more ESS emerge such as thermal energy storage systems (TESS), pumped hydro system (PHS), compressed air energy storage (CAES), fuel cell (FC) and superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES)[1].

1414 Degrees is an Australian based company that specializes in TESS. They have developed a special silicon-based Phase Change Material (PCM), which has a high latent heat of fusion and high energy density. This means it can hold large amounts of energy and delivers high energy efficiency simultaneously. A brief overview of how the TESS works is first the PCM is heated using electricity up to 1414 K at this temperature, the silicon transitions to a molten phase. This allows the storage of a significant amount of energy which can be reclaimed at the desired time. During times of high electrical demand, the PCM is cooled causing transitions from molten to solid resulting in the release of heat energy [4]. This heat energy is passed through an energy recovery system and a turbine to convert it to electrical energy [4].

The PCM is heated using an electrical resistance heating system. This specific method of heating leads to heat loss through the various ports and openings that are needed to run various heating elements. A possible solution to this problem is to use an electromagnetic heating system. To perform electromagnetic heating a material needs be identified that retains permanent magnetism at temperatures above 1414K.

Project Objectives

The long-term aims of this project would be to provide 1414 Degrees with a device that would further their technological advancement; replacing their current method of resistive heating with electromagnetic heating. The project aims as reproduced from the project brief are to:

1. Conduct a literature/ product-search for materials that are solid and permanent magnets at temperatures above 1400K.
2. Model an electromagnetically actuated device that is capable of operation at temperatures above 1400K.
3. Build and test such a device.

Sigificance

The ability of our project to help reduce the power that is lost during the heating of 1414 Degree’s storage material represents a direct benefit to the project sponsor. This project also benefits the broader engineering community. Electromagnetically actuated devices that can reliably operate in high-temperature environments would reduce the need for cooling considerations and thermal insulation

Previous studies

Curie temperature (Tc) of ferromagnetic materials

Tc is the temperature above which certain ferromagnetic materials lose their permanent magnetic properties, to be replaced by induced magnetism [5]. Once a ferromagnetic material is sufficiently heated, the tendency to disorder overtakes the tendency of spin magnetic moments to align themselves and cause spontaneous magnetization [6, 7]. Essentially, the magnetic moments are disarranged and can no longer inherently produce a magnetic field. The magnetization and magnetic coercivity approach zero and the relative permeability approach that of free space as the temperature of a ferromagnetic material approaches its Curie temperature.

Types of magnetism

Magnetism is a phenomenon associated with magnetic fields, which arise from the motion of electric charges. This motion can take many forms. It can be an electric current in a conductor or charged particles moving through space [9]. There are many types of magnetism but in this project, the focus will be on and Ferromagnetic and Paramagnetic. Ferromagnetism is when all magnetic moments are aligned and is experienced when the temperature is lower than the Tc of a material [9]. On the other hand, paramagnetic is when random magnetic moments will align with an applied magnetic field experienced when the temperature is above Tc of a material [9]. Therefore, when a magnetic material is heated up to its Tc it will switch from ferromagnetic state to paramagnetic state.

Bozorth [6] aptly summarized the important attributes of ferromagnetic materials as being:

1. A dependence of permeability on the field strength and on the previous magnetic history (hysteresis)
2. The approach of the magnetization to a finite limit as the field strength is indefinitely increased (saturation)
3. The presence of small, magnetized regions(domains) in the absence of an externally applied magnetic field(spontaneous magnetization),
4. The disappearance of the characteristics already mentioned when the temperature is raised to a certain temperature, the Curie temperature.

Thin-film ferromagnetic materials

A lot of research has been done on thin-film alloys concerning high Tc magnetic materials. Since thin-film ferromagnetic materials have a single ferromagnetic domain of macroscopic extension [10]. Which means thin ferromagnetic films are essentially one big domain as opposed to regular materials that are composed of many differently aligned domains making them easier to examine. Analysis of thin films has shown that the Tc is seen to increase when either the thickness of the film or the concentration of magnetic atoms increases [11]. Furthermore, when mixing elements, it is important to consider thermal effects on the magnetic moment. In some cases, the interface region will behave as an alloy of a non-magnetic and a magnetic compound [11].

In addition, soft magnetic thin films with higher saturation flux density have the advantage in the high-frequency operation of avoiding ferromagnetic resonance and are key in realizing high density magnetic recording systems [12]. If materials with a Tc higher than 1414 K cannot be identified the knowledge of thin films can be applied to make a compound that will satisfy this requirement.

Electrical heating

High frequency range (300MHZ to 300GHz)

When the frequency range is high microwave heating is implemented. Microwave heating is when energy is delivered directly to materials through molecular interaction with the electromagnetic field [12]. Efficiency is up to 65% at 2.5GHz which is optimal for heating a compound in an enclosed region [12]. It is the most effective method that can be used to heat a sample. However, equipment used to focus the waves onto a sample i.e. a horn antenna is beyond the budget of this project.

Low frequency range (50Hz to 1MHz)

When the frequency range is low ohmic heating or inductive heating can be implemented. Ohmic heating is when an electric current is passed through the heating sample, resulting in a temperature rise due to the conversion of the electric energy into heat [12]. It provides energy-saving while reducing heating time when compared to conventional heating methods. This is currently the technique used by 1414 Degrees. However, comes with some challenges such as it requires a narrow operating frequency band and complex coupling between temperature and electrical filed distribution [12].

This project intends to implementing inductive heating between the frequency range of 5-30 kilohertz. Inductive heating is the process of heating an electrically conducting object by electromagnetic induction, through heat generated in the object using eddy currents [13]. Inductive heating is based on two main principles electromagnetic induction and ohmic heating. The energy transfer to the object to be heated occurs by means of electromagnetic induction. Any electrically conductive material placed in a variable magnetic field in the site of induced electric currents (eddy currents) will eventually lead to ohmic heating [13].

References

[1] M. Yekini Suberu, M. Wazir Mustafa and N. Bashir, “Energy storage systems for renewable energy power sector integration and mitigation of intermittency” Renewable and sustainable energy, 2014. [Online]. Available at: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews.

[2] Ertugrul, N. (2018).4062 Distributed Generation Technologies 7075 Distributed Generation Tech (PG) - Battery energy storage. 1st ed. Adelaide: University of Adelaide.

[3] K.C. Divya and J. Ostergaard,” Battery energy storage technology for power systems —an overview” Electric Power Systems Research 2009; 79:511–20. Available: Electric Power Systems Research.

[4] 1414 degrees, “What is 1414 Degrees?” 2019. Available at: WHAT IS 1414 DEGREES? [Accessed 2 Jun. 2019].

[5] C. Kittel, Introduction to solid-state physics. New York: J. Wiley & Sons, 1971.

[6] R. Bozorth, Ferromagnetism, 1st ed. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE Press, 1993, pp. 5-6.

[8] R. Skomski, Simple models of magnetism, 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, p. 149.

[9] E. Kashy, F. Robinson, B. Bleaney, E. Suckling and S. McGrayne, “Magnetism | Definition, Examples, Physics, & Facts” Encyclopedia Britannica, 2019. Available at: Magnetism [Accessed 2 Jun. 2019].

[10] A. Corciovei, G. Costache, and D. Vamanu, "Ferromagnetic Thin Films" Solid State Physics, pp. 237-350, 1972. Available at: Ferromagnetic thin films.

[11] P. Jensen, H. Dreyssé and K. Bennemann, “Thickness dependence of the magnetization and the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic thin films” Surface Science, 1992. [Online] Available at: Thickness dependence of the magnetization and the Curie temperature of ferromagnetic thin films

[12] M. Hayakawa “Characteristics of soft magnetic thin films for magnetic head core application” Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 1994. Available at: Characteristics of soft magnetic thin films for magnetic head core application. [Accessed 2 Jun. 2019].

[13] E. Ter Maten and J. Melissen, “SIMULATION OF INDUCTIVE HEATING”, ieee transactions on magnetics, 1992. Available at: SIMULATION OF INDUCTIVE HEATING.