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Vapor Chamber Project
Vapor Chamber Project
Introduction - A peek through the keyhole
Introduction - A peek through the keyhole
The goal of this project is to extract heat from a flat surface (i.e., from a processor or a GPU chip) in an efficient way. Our basic idea is to use the concept of evaporative cooling and Methanol was used as the cooling fluid. As the chassis of our vapor chamber, we chose Copper for its reputation as a good heat conductor.
The goal of this project is to extract heat from a flat surface (i.e., from a processor or a GPU chip) in an efficient way. Our basic idea is to use the concept of evaporative cooling and Methanol was used as the cooling fluid. As the chassis of our vapor chamber, we chose Copper for its reputation as a good heat conductor.
Design Idea
Design Idea
Typically, in CPU or GPU processors, for extracting the generated heat, heat pipes are installed and freons are used inside it as the cooling fluid. Our vapor chamber is not a novel technology and the design and working formula is heavily influenced from the heat pipe.
Typically, in CPU or GPU processors, for extracting the generated heat, heat pipes are installed and freons are used inside it as the cooling fluid. Our vapor chamber is not a novel technology and the design and working formula is heavily influenced from the heat pipe.
Typically in a heat pipe, working fluid evaporates where the heat pipe is attached to the chip to be cooled. The evaporated steam travels in the lateral direction to some distance where heat sink is placed. There the fluid condenses and returns again to the portion of heat pipe attached to the chip to be cooled. The cycle continues.
Typically in a heat pipe, working fluid evaporates where the heat pipe is attached to the chip to be cooled. The evaporated steam travels in the lateral direction to some distance where heat sink is placed. There the fluid condenses and returns again to the portion of heat pipe attached to the chip to be cooled. The cycle continues.
In this process, for lateral movement, the required area for heat pipe is large. Our idea was to introduce some technique where the evaporated steam would go upward and reject heat in the upper surface of the heat exchanger.
In this process, for lateral movement, the required area for heat pipe is large. Our idea was to introduce some technique where the evaporated steam would go upward and reject heat in the upper surface of the heat exchanger.
Design Implementation
Design Implementation
First, we designed a prototype using SolidWorks as shown in the figure. Then using copper plates, we built a model and in the enclosed surface, we added 4-5 ml (mili-leter) of methanol.
Next, we needed to read temperature data from 3 surfaces, the heat source surface, the bottom surface of the chamber and finally the top one. So we soldered the wire of 3 temperature sensors with these surfaces.
Data Reading & Findings
Data Reading & Findings
Then we began taking readings from the digital monitor. Experimental setup of our project & data reading part is shown. Next we plotted the readings of the 3 surfaces with respect to time which is also given .
It is to be noted that the heat source surface was a constant a heat generating surface and two hot wire electric heaters were used for this purpose.
Discussion about Our Findings
Discussion about Our Findings
This graph needs some explanation to the phenomena occurring inside the chamber. At first, the heat exchange took place between the source and the copper plates.
This graph needs some explanation to the phenomena occurring inside the chamber. At first, the heat exchange took place between the source and the copper plates.
This happened up to the boiling temperature of methanol, around 66 deg. Celsius. Around here, the temperature of the copper plates stopped rising because the heat was now absorbed by the methanol for phase change process.
This happened up to the boiling temperature of methanol, around 66 deg. Celsius. Around here, the temperature of the copper plates stopped rising because the heat was now absorbed by the methanol for phase change process.
During the rest of the cycle, the heat source chip temperature continued to stay in a constant region as required. Both the bottom and top surface temperatures stopped rising, the simultaneous evaporation and condensation of methanol in the bottom and top surfaces was solely responsible for the heat exchange process.
During the rest of the cycle, the heat source chip temperature continued to stay in a constant region as required. Both the bottom and top surface temperatures stopped rising, the simultaneous evaporation and condensation of methanol in the bottom and top surfaces was solely responsible for the heat exchange process.
Limitation of Our Model
Limitation of Our Model
Our idea was to add very this channels or web-like structure in the inside surface of the chamber. There is a process called copper sintering which we actually wanted to follow that would create these thin channels or web-like patterns in the inside surfaces of the chamber.
Our idea was to add very this channels or web-like structure in the inside surface of the chamber. There is a process called copper sintering which we actually wanted to follow that would create these thin channels or web-like patterns in the inside surfaces of the chamber.
This sintered surface would act as a medium for capillary effects to pull the condensed liquid in the upper surface of the chamber to the heat exchange zone again. Thus the effectiveness and speed of heat exchange cycle would enhance rapidly. But due to lack of budget and unavailability of sintering technology, we could not further improve our prototype.
This sintered surface would act as a medium for capillary effects to pull the condensed liquid in the upper surface of the chamber to the heat exchange zone again. Thus the effectiveness and speed of heat exchange cycle would enhance rapidly. But due to lack of budget and unavailability of sintering technology, we could not further improve our prototype.
Poster Presentation
Poster Presentation
Thermal Performance of a Vapor Chamber.pdf
Acknowledgement
Acknowledgement
We do believe that without each of the team members, we would not be able to accomplish building up this project successfully. We also would like to acknowledge Mr. Masud sir, he solely gave us the idea how to take accurate readings and how to build a constant heat generating source. We are very grateful to Professor Dr. Zahurul Haq sir for his valuable guidance to the ins and outs of our project planning and available technology.
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