Lämpöputkissa

Lämpöputkissa, often translated as heat pipes, are passive devices that transfer heat with very high efficiency. They are essentially sealed tubes containing a working fluid. The working fluid evaporates at one end of the tube (the evaporator section), absorbing heat from the heat source. The vapor then travels to the other end of the tube (the condenser section), where it releases its latent heat as it condenses back into a liquid. This liquid then returns to the evaporator section through a capillary wick structure lining the inside of the tube, completing the cycle.

The principle of operation relies on the phase change of the working fluid. This phase change allows for a very large amount of heat to be transferred with minimal temperature difference along the heat pipe. Common working fluids include water, ammonia, and methanol, chosen based on the operating temperature range. The wick structure provides the capillary action necessary to return the condensed liquid to the evaporator against gravity, although heat pipes can operate in any orientation.

Heat pipes are widely used in applications requiring efficient heat dissipation and temperature control. This includes electronics cooling for computers and servers, spacecraft thermal control, HVAC systems, and industrial processes. Their advantages include high thermal conductivity, no moving parts, reliability, and simple construction. The performance of a heat pipe can be influenced by factors such as its length, diameter, working fluid, and wick structure.