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Subject: liquid cooling - whaddaya think?
Name:
Joe F
Date: 1/29/2001 4:34:39 PM (GMT-7)
IP Address: 65.27.56.171
Message:
I'm considering building a liquid cooling system so I can take a bunch of fans out of my case (5 fans, to be exact). I think rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl) would make a good coolant because of it's low boiling point.
If I remember correctly, isopropyl alcohol boils at 36 deg C. So, with a constant flow of rubbing alcohol through the cooling block, the block could get no warmer than 36 C. Any additional heat would be absorbed by the alcohol as it vaporized. If I place the cooling coils between the processor and the resevoir, any alcohol vapors will condense before they have a chance to escape the system. And, since the rubbing alcohol is 30% water, there will always be liquid in the cooling block.
The only drawback I can think of is the potential flammability of the alcohol vapor. I have tried to ignite the vapor from rubbing alcohol with an open flame, and I can't do it. Believe me, I do NOT want an explosive computer case.
What would be a good flow rate through the cooling block? I'm thinking of using 2 pumps each with a flow rate of 70 gallons/hour, which will give me a little more than 2 ga/min.
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