Aqueous Ionic Liquid Solution based Two-phase Thermal Management for Adverse Gravity Applications

Abstract

Thermal management of electronic components is critical for their efficient, safe, and reliable operation. In this regard, vapor chambers are widely used to dissipate very high flux and avoid failures due to sudden temperature rise. Thermal performance of these devices is significantly dependent on component/evaporator mounting. When evaporator is mounted on the top (i.e., adverse gravity condition), essentially wicks are required in between evaporator and condenser of the vapor chamber to return the condensed liquid to the evaporator. However, wickless vapor chambers fail in such conditions, where gravity does not assist vapor removal and also does not allow condensed liquid to return evaporator end. Recently, we demonstrated a completely passive strategy of vapor removal even in adverse gravity condition using the surface-active additives (ionic liquids and surfactants) during pool boiling. In this work, we investigate the thermal performance of a confined wickless chamber using the aqueous surface-active additive solution as the test fluid. Design of the chamber is such that no wicks are required. The working mechanism of the present wickless chamber allows it to perform even in adverse gravity condition. We believe this strategy will prove to be a reliable solution for effective thermal management of earth electronics for mounting independent operations.