Lämpöputken

Lämpöputki, also known as a heat pipe, is a passive heat transfer device with very high thermal conductivity. It consists of a sealed tube, typically made of copper or aluminum, containing a small amount of working fluid. The working fluid is usually a pure substance like water, ammonia, or a specific refrigerant.

The operation of a heat pipe relies on a phase-change process. One end of the heat pipe, the evaporator, is exposed to a heat source. The heat causes the working fluid to vaporize, absorbing latent heat. This vapor then travels along the inside of the tube to the cooler end, the condenser. At the condenser, the vapor releases its latent heat and condenses back into a liquid. The liquid then returns to the evaporator through a wick structure, which is a porous material lining the inside of the tube, completing the cycle.

Heat pipes are highly efficient because the phase change of the working fluid allows for very rapid heat transfer with minimal temperature difference. They have no moving parts, making them reliable and maintenance-free. Their primary application is in thermal management, where they are used to transfer heat away from sensitive components in electronics, solar thermal collectors, and spacecraft. They are also used in various industrial processes and in some types of heating and cooling systems. The effectiveness of a heat pipe depends on factors such as the working fluid, tube material, wick structure, and operating temperature range.