Värmeledningar

Värmeledningar, often translated as heat pipes, are passive heat transfer devices that exploit the principles of two-phase heat transfer and capillary action. They consist of a sealed tube, typically made of copper or aluminum, containing a small amount of working fluid. This working fluid is chosen based on the operating temperature range and the materials of the heat pipe. Inside the tube, a porous wick structure is integrated along the inner surface.

The operation of a heat pipe relies on a temperature difference. When one end of the heat pipe, the evaporator section, is heated, the working fluid within the wick evaporates, absorbing latent heat. This vapor then travels through the hollow core of the pipe to the cooler section, the condenser. At the condenser, the vapor releases its latent heat and condenses back into a liquid. The condensed liquid is then drawn back to the evaporator section by capillary action within the wick, completing the cycle.

This continuous cycle allows for very efficient heat transfer with minimal temperature drop along the length of the pipe. Heat pipes are commonly used in a variety of applications where effective thermal management is crucial, including electronics cooling, aerospace, HVAC systems, and solar thermal energy systems. Their passive nature, reliability, and high thermal conductivity make them an attractive solution for many thermal engineering challenges.