Alternative Cooling Technology Options

Published

August 21, 2011

Author(s)

J S. Brown, Piotr A. Domanski

Abstract

This paper considers the alternative cooling technologies studied by Fisher et al. (1994) and assesses their current potential to compete with or to replace vapor compression refrigeration technology for space cooling and near-room temperature refrigeration applications. First, a taxonomy of cooling technologies based on the main energy input is presented. Then, several alternative cooling technologies are briefly discussed, with magnetic cooling and thermoacoustic cooling being discussed in more detail. For magnetic cooling and thermoacoustic cooling, a brief summary of the findings of Fisher et al. (1994) is presented followed by a discussion of the advancements since their study and the current state-of-the-art of the technologies. This is followed by a current assessment of the potential of each of the technologies to compete with or replace vapour compression technology for space cooling and near-room temperature refrigeration.

Proceedings Title

The 23rd IIR International Congress of Refrigeration

Conference Dates

August 21-26, 2011

Conference Location

Prague, CZ

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

alternative cooling technologies, refrigeration, vapor compression

Citation

Brown, J. and Domanski, P. (2011), Alternative Cooling Technology Options, The 23rd IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, Prague, CZ, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=907958 (Accessed October 17, 2025)