lämpöputkesta

A lämpöputki, or heat pipe in English, is a passive heat transfer device that exploits the phase transition of a working fluid to transport heat. It is essentially a sealed tube containing a small amount of working fluid, typically water, methanol, or ammonia, depending on the operating temperature range. The heat pipe operates by natural convection and evaporation/condensation.

When heat is applied to one end of the heat pipe, known as the evaporator section, the working fluid in contact with this surface vaporizes. This vapor then travels along the hollow interior of the pipe to the cooler end, called the condenser section. At the condenser section, the vapor loses heat and condenses back into a liquid. The liquid then returns to the evaporator section, often through a wick structure lining the inside of the pipe, completing the cycle. This continuous process allows for highly efficient heat transfer with minimal temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser.

Heat pipes are valued for their high thermal conductivity, their ability to transfer heat over long distances with little loss, and their lack of moving parts, which contributes to their reliability and silent operation. They are commonly used in applications requiring efficient heat dissipation, such as in computer cooling systems, electronics, and spacecraft thermal control. The choice of working fluid and wick material is crucial for optimizing performance across different temperature ranges and operating orientations.