Thermosyphons

A thermosyphon is a passive heat exchange device that relies on natural convection to circulate a working fluid. It consists of a sealed loop containing a fluid, typically water or a refrigerant. One part of the loop is heated, causing the fluid to vaporize and rise. As the vapor travels to a cooler section of the loop, it condenses back into a liquid and then falls due to gravity. This continuous cycle of vaporization, rising, condensation, and falling creates a natural circulation of the fluid, transferring heat from the heated section to the cooled section.

Thermosyphons have no moving parts, making them highly reliable and maintenance-free. Their simplicity and effectiveness have led to their use in a wide range of applications. Common uses include solar water heating systems, where sunlight heats the fluid in collectors, which then circulates to heat water in a storage tank. They are also employed in electronics cooling to dissipate heat from components, in building climate control, and in geothermal energy systems. The efficiency of a thermosyphon is influenced by factors such as the temperature difference between the heat source and sink, the fluid properties, and the geometry of the loop. They are particularly effective when the heat source is located below the heat sink.