Importance

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Abstract

A slush hydrogen production device (10) utilizes a hydrogen slushifier magnetic refrigerator (30) having a wheel (50) of material exhibiting the magnetocaloric effect. The wheel is rotated through a magnetic field of varying intensity around the circumference of a wheel housing (36) created by the windings of superconductive magnets (56). The material of the wheel (50) follows a magnetic Carnot cycle as the wheel rotates (36) through regions of low temperature heat transfer and high temperature heat transfer. Liquid hydrogen is supplied to the regions of low and high temperature heat transfer through inlet pipes (39 and 42). Gaseous hydrogen is produced in the high temperature heat transfer region and vented away by an outlet pipe (48). Solid hydrogen is produced in the low temperature heat transfer region by direct solidification upon the magnetic wheel (50); and is removed by scrapers (76) and deposited in a compartment (26) where it mixes with liquid hydrogen to form slush hydrogen. A second magnetic refrigerator (108) may be used to keep its magnets and the magnets of the hydrogen slushifier magnetic refrigerator (30) at a temperature region suitable to maintain superconductivity. The slush hydrogen production device (10) may be part of a larger operating system that includes a liquid hydrogen storage tank (146), a slush hydrogen storage tank (136), a slush conditioner (148) and appropriate connective plumbing.

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First Claim