koelcircuit

Koelcircuit is a term used in engineering to describe a closed-loop cooling system in which a circulating coolant removes heat from one or more heat-generating components and transfers it to a heat exchanger where it is dissipated. The concept is commonly applied in electronics, computing, automotive engineering, and industrial processes.

A typical koelcircuit includes a pump or circulator, a reservoir or expansion tank, tubing or piping, a heat exchanger or radiator, and the coolant itself. Coolants can be water, water-glycol mixtures, or mineral oil, chosen for compatibility with materials and the temperatures involved. Temperature and pressure sensors, a control unit, and sometimes valves or thermostats regulate flow and heat transfer.

Operation involves the pump moving coolant through the equipment where it absorbs heat, then through the heat exchanger where the heat is released to an external medium such as air or another cooling loop, and finally back to the source to repeat the cycle. A closed loop minimizes coolant loss and reduces contamination, while enabling easier maintenance and monitoring.

Design considerations include heat load, desired operating temperature, flow rate, pressure drop, and energy efficiency. Material compatibility, leak prevention, corrosion inhibitors, and access for maintenance are important. In critical applications, reliability and redundancy may be planned into the system.

Applications of koelcircuits include high-performance computing and gaming PCs, automotive engine cooling, industrial machinery, and laboratory or medical equipment. Variants range from direct liquid cooling to indirect cooling, and from strictly closed loops to hybrid configurations. See also cooling system and liquid cooling.