Really weird cooling idea that probably doesn't work

StormFalcon

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Sep 20, 2015
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You know how that rubbing alcohol evaporates at room temperature (or somewhere around that) and that the evaporation lowers the temperature of the surface it's on? So what if you put some rubbing alcohol in a copper box that it won't leak out of, put a heatsink on the box, then put the heatsink on an intake fan for example? So the alcohol would evaporate, and the vapor would go to the top of the box. Then, since the box got cooled from the evaporation, the cold box would make the alcohol condense, the alcohol would go to the bottom of the box, then when the box got hot enough again, the process would be repeated. Would this process actually happen? Also would it cool the air coming into the case enough to make a difference? I know this is probably the craziest, worst, most insane idea you have ever heard, but so far I couldn't find anything wrong with the logic of this.
 
Solution
Good idea! but here is a thing...by how much? if your cpu without heatsink is 100c+ it would burn right? and if the alcohol cools it by 5c/ the temp would be 95c..still would shut off or burn :p! and it takes time for the rubbing alcohol to condence..just like water in real life and you know if the cpu is not getting cooled for even 10 sec..it is gonna overheat and shut itself off and it is flamable XD but at 399c..yeah but don't take the risk and stay with air coolers but if you want the fancy fancy then get a liqued cooled pc!

Erwin06

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Feb 5, 2015
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Good idea! but here is a thing...by how much? if your cpu without heatsink is 100c+ it would burn right? and if the alcohol cools it by 5c/ the temp would be 95c..still would shut off or burn :p! and it takes time for the rubbing alcohol to condence..just like water in real life and you know if the cpu is not getting cooled for even 10 sec..it is gonna overheat and shut itself off and it is flamable XD but at 399c..yeah but don't take the risk and stay with air coolers but if you want the fancy fancy then get a liqued cooled pc!
 
Solution

StormFalcon

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Sep 20, 2015
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Well I'm not going to replace the air cooling system, I'm just saying that if you put this on a case fan, in theory it would make the air coming in cooler. So basically what this is trying to accomplish is just cooling the air used so it might be possible to get to ambient or below ambient on just air cooling. Also since I would mount this on the case fan, and the box should be leak proof, it shouldn't burn.
 

Erwin06

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That might work..but cant you just put some ice in a bag in frount of a Fan that lets the cool air on your heatsink?

+ it does not matter if its leak proof or not :p put paper in extrame temps and it burns...same here
 

StormFalcon

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Sep 20, 2015
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Yeah well you see I like things that are mostly sit and forget you know? If I did this with ice, I would have to keep replacing the ice. With this I can at least let the alcohol last longer.
 

StormFalcon

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the thing is, where would i get a copper box? I would also need some sort of opening that the alcohol wouldnt leak out of so im going to make sure it works before trying it out. does anybody know the exact evaporation and condensation temps of alcohol?
 

Erwin06

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The time it takes 90% alcohol to evaporate is 30sec give and take were you are living and if its dry or not...
and the evaporation temps are 80.37 °C give and take and to condence...i have no idea but am sure jus like water but daster