lämpöputkijärjestelmän

Lämpöputkijärjestelmä, often translated as heat pipe system, is a passive thermal management technology used to transfer heat from one location to another. It relies on the principle of phase change heat transfer, making it highly efficient for moving large amounts of heat with a minimal temperature difference. The core component of a heat pipe system is the heat pipe itself, a sealed tube typically made of metal, containing a working fluid. This fluid is chosen based on the operating temperature range, and it exists in a state of equilibrium between liquid and vapor within the sealed pipe.

The operation of a heat pipe system begins at the evaporator section, where the heat source is located. The heat causes the working fluid in contact with the inner wall of this section to vaporize. This vapor then travels along the hollow interior of the heat pipe to the condenser section, which is typically at a cooler location. As the vapor reaches the condenser, it releases its latent heat of vaporization and condenses back into a liquid. This liquid then returns to the evaporator section, usually through a wick structure lining the inside of the pipe, completing the cycle. The wick provides capillary action to facilitate the liquid's return flow.

Heat pipe systems are employed in a variety of applications due to their reliability, lack of moving parts, and high thermal conductivity. They are commonly found in electronics cooling, such as in computers and servers, to dissipate heat from microprocessors and other components. They are also used in spacecraft for thermal control, in solar thermal collectors to transfer heat efficiently, and in industrial processes where precise temperature control is required. The simplicity and effectiveness of heat pipe systems make them a valuable tool in managing thermal loads across diverse technological fields.