Thermistance is the first Indian start-up completely devoted to develop advanced passive cooling technologies and its commercialization. Our world class team is continuously working to develop innovative micro and miniature cooling devices. We are also developing our research and development centre in Pune.
Heat pipes are heat superconductors which combine the principle of high thermal conductivity and phase change to transmit heat from one point to another. In simple terms, a heat pipe is a device that is used to transfer heat from one surface to the environment with principally no surplus energy expenditure (passive heat transfer). Not only do these heat pipes transfer heat at a higher rate but also they do so even if the temperature difference between the source and heat pipe is very small.
Thermal conductivity: For proper functioning of the heat pipe, the materials chosen for
its construction must have an excellent ability to conduct heat. Copper has the highest
thermal conductivity and thus makes an excellent heat pipe material.
Phase trasition: Finding a working fluid that is appropriate for phase transfer from
liquid to gas and vice versa is the mainstay of this process. Such a fluid must be
saturated and require minimal energy to undergo phase transition.
Capillary action: The working fluid, once heated up, evaporates and gets condensed to
liquid again at the condenser end. To replace this fluid back at the evaporator end for the
next cycle, a wick (porous) structure is used. This structure has many variants like
grooved, mesh, sintered, etc. The condensed fluid is taken up through the wick back to
the evaporator end by capillary action through its grooves and pores.
Heat injection: The evaporator receives heat input from the source. This source can be an electronic device or any machinery that generates heat while working. The evaporator injectsheat from source.
Evaporation: The working fluid at the evaporator end evaporates from the wick. Its gaseous form enters the adiabatic chamber.
Vapour pressure increases: The pressure exerted by the vapour over the working fluid increases inside this vacuum sealed cavity.
Latent heat absorbed: When the phase changes at a constant temperature, the resultant release of latent heat is absorbed by the working fluid. As a result, temperature at the evaporator end of the pipe decreases.
Pressure difference: The discrepancy in the pressure between both the ends of the tube is translated by rapid transfer of the vapour to the condenser end, thus equalizing the pressure.
Condensation: On reaching the condenser end, the lower temperature condenses the vapours to the working fluid.
Latent heat released: Condensation of the vapour to the working fluid releases latent heat that is transferred to the condenser end.
Heat sink: From the condenser end, heat if transferred to a heat sink, that releases the heat energy to the environment.
Capillary action: The condensed liquid is absorbed by the wick structure, through which it moves to the evaporator end by capillary action.
Cycle repeats: The entire process is faster than most conventional methods of thermal management. Once the working fluid returns to the evaporator end, and the next wave of heat input is received, the cycle begins again.
High thermal conductivity: T1 inch diameter pipe of 2 feet long can transfer nearly 3.7 KW on heat energy.
Light weight: Vacuum sealed hollow container with minimal working fluid to accommodate the pressure changes is the reason for the lightness of the structure.
Low maintenance: They are self heat recovery devices and so, wear and tear is very minimal. Hence, continuous maintenance is not needed.
Passive operation: They do not require any mechanical or electrical input for their function, thereby proving to be greatly efficient.
Fast thermal response: When compared to a normal copper rod, the heat pipes transfer heat faster to the output end. This is because copper rod transfers heat only by conduction. Whereas, heat pipes combine the principles of thermal conduction, along with phase transition, making it a superconductor.
Long life: Since the materials are subject to very minimal wear and tear, these heat pipes can work efficiently and have a longer lifetime.
Low operating cost: The simplicity in the construction and passive working has translated to a financially efficient heat pipe technology.
Zero cross-contamination: The source provides heat input in streams and the heat sink is physically separated from the heat pipe. Hence, there is zero contamination of heat.
Environmentally safe: Heat pipes are beneficial to the environment as well, in being a passive energy independent and efficient process.
Space: Like every other machinery, electronic devices used in satellites and spacecraft also generate heat. There are many major drawbacks of thermal management in space. Microgravity environment, limited electricity, varying external temperatures like eclipses and very limited maintenance facilities. The characteristics that make heat pipes suited to these adverse conditions are capillary action (even in the absence of gravity), low weight, no external energy requirements, and isothermal function.
Computer systems: All devices from power supplies, desktops, laptops, microprocessors, audio amplifiers, high performance computers and gaming equipment have one main feature as their drawback. Heat generation! Employing heat pipes in computers prove to be very effective, less space consuming and real-time cooling.
Medical field: Many of the radiological equipment generate a considerable amount of heat. Using heat pipes will decrease the space occupied, decrease the maintenance costs and weigh much less.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems: Heat in HVAC appliances come either from the supply or exhaust air streams. Using heat loops, these can be effectively managed, with the added benefit of affordability and better functioning.
Compact electronic enclosures: When the world is seeking new ways to miniaturize electronic devices, the need for a proportionately small thermal management system can be met by heat pipes. This can work as a compact cooling system for any kind of electronic enclosure and cabinets.
Plastic moulding Industry: Heat pipes are also used in the plastic injection moulding industry. The die of plastic injection moulding is water cooled in many plants but the heat pipe is a better solution as it increases the life of the die and also the quality of plastic produced.
Thermal conductivity: For proper functioning of the heat pipe, the materials chosen for
its construction must have an excellent ability to conduct heat. Copper has the highest
thermal conductivity and thus makes an excellent heat pipe material.
Phase trasition: Finding a working fluid that is appropriate for phase transfer from
liquid to gas and vice versa is the mainstay of this process. Such a fluid must be
saturated and require minimal energy to undergo phase transition.
Capillary action: The working fluid, once heated up, evaporates and gets condensed to
liquid again at the condenser end. To replace this fluid back at the evaporator end for the
next cycle, a wick (porous) structure is used. This structure has many variants like
grooved, mesh, sintered, etc. The condensed fluid is taken up through the wick back to
the evaporator end by capillary action through its grooves and pores.
Heat injection: The evaporator receives heat input from the source. This source can be an electronic device or any machinery that generates heat while working. The evaporator injectsheat from source.
Evaporation: The working fluid at the evaporator end evaporates from the wick. Its gaseous form enters the adiabatic chamber.
Vapour pressure increases: The pressure exerted by the vapour over the working fluid increases inside this vacuum sealed cavity.
Latent heat absorbed: When the phase changes at a constant temperature, the resultant release of latent heat is absorbed by the working fluid. As a result, temperature at the evaporator end of the pipe decreases.
Pressure difference: The discrepancy in the pressure between both the ends of the tube is translated by rapid transfer of the vapour to the condenser end, thus equalizing the pressure.
Condensation: On reaching the condenser end, the lower temperature condenses the vapours to the working fluid.
Latent heat released: Condensation of the vapour to the working fluid releases latent heat that is transferred to the condenser end.
Heat sink: From the condenser end, heat if transferred to a heat sink, that releases the heat energy to the environment.
Capillary action: The condensed liquid is absorbed by the wick structure, through which it moves to the evaporator end by capillary action.
Cycle repeats: The entire process is faster than most conventional methods of thermal management. Once the working fluid returns to the evaporator end, and the next wave of heat input is received, the cycle begins again.
High thermal conductivity: T1 inch diameter pipe of 2 feet long can transfer nearly 3.7 KW on heat energy.
Light weight: Vacuum sealed hollow container with minimal working fluid to accommodate the pressure changes is the reason for the lightness of the structure.
Low maintenance: They are self heat recovery devices and so, wear and tear is very minimal. Hence, continuous maintenance is not needed.
Passive operation: They do not require any mechanical or electrical input for their function, thereby proving to be greatly efficient.
Fast thermal response: When compared to a normal copper rod, the heat pipes transfer heat faster to the output end. This is because copper rod transfers heat only by conduction. Whereas, heat pipes combine the principles of thermal conduction, along with phase transition, making it a superconductor.
Long life: Since the materials are subject to very minimal wear and tear, these heat pipes can work efficiently and have a longer lifetime.
Low operating cost: The simplicity in the construction and passive working has translated to a financially efficient heat pipe technology.
Zero cross-contamination: The source provides heat input in streams and the heat sink is physically separated from the heat pipe. Hence, there is zero contamination of heat.
Environmentally safe: Heat pipes are beneficial to the environment as well, in being a passive energy independent and efficient process.
Space: Like every other machinery, electronic devices used in satellites and spacecraft also generate heat. There are many major drawbacks of thermal management in space. Microgravity environment, limited electricity, varying external temperatures like eclipses and very limited maintenance facilities. The characteristics that make heat pipes suited to these adverse conditions are capillary action (even in the absence of gravity), low weight, no external energy requirements, and isothermal function.
Computer systems: All devices from power supplies, desktops, laptops, microprocessors, audio amplifiers, high performance computers and gaming equipment have one main feature as their drawback. Heat generation! Employing heat pipes in computers prove to be very effective, less space consuming and real-time cooling.
Medical field: Many of the radiological equipment generate a considerable amount of heat. Using heat pipes will decrease the space occupied, decrease the maintenance costs and weigh much less.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems: Heat in HVAC appliances come either from the supply or exhaust air streams. Using heat loops, these can be effectively managed, with the added benefit of affordability and better functioning.
Compact electronic enclosures: When the world is seeking new ways to miniaturize electronic devices, the need for a proportionately small thermal management system can be met by heat pipes. This can work as a compact cooling system for any kind of electronic enclosure and cabinets.
Plastic moulding Industry: Heat pipes are also used in the plastic injection moulding industry. The die of plastic injection moulding is water cooled in many plants but the heat pipe is a better solution as it increases the life of the die and also the quality of plastic produced.
