Miniature Pulsated Loop Thermosyphons for Desktop Computer Cooling: Feasibility Study and First Experimental Tests

The quick growth in the use of electronic packaging has created critical values on the maximum heat flux dissipation, above all in comparison with the previous devices cooled by forced air. Heat pipes, LHPs and CPLs are really the most efficient cooling devices in this case, but their high cost can limit their use in commercial devices. Recent innovations, in loop thermosyphons design, have had a relevant impact on the electronic equipments thermal control for high density desktop computers, but one of the most critical topic of this device is the gravity dependence on its heat transfer properties. For this reason some particular devices, named Pulsated Two-Phase Thermosyphons, operating against gravity with natural circulation, were been developed. Their running is low frequency pulsated and it has been previously investigated by the authors in collaboration with the Moscow Power Institute. This work analyses the feasibility design of a cooling device with PTPT for desktop computers. By use of a calculus code created by the authors in cooperation with MPI and validated by means of data collected in previous experimental tests, a mini experimental apparatus based on a PTPT heat transfer regime has been realized. First experimental results are reported and discussed.