What's the coldest liquid temperatureanyone has ever run though a Koolance CPU-330?

[Shingoshi]

Originally Posted by DarthBeavis

they have clear spray over at novacs electronics (commercial i think)

Thanks. I know where you're talking about. I always get those two streets confused too. Aren't you just glad the people who laid out our streets, don't build computers!

Now just to make sure. What else besides the expansion card and memory slots do I also need to cover. I can think of the disk connectors. I guess anything which has to be inserted/removed definitely qualifies.

Edit: I forgot to ask if I need to dope the expansion cards as well? I'm pretty certain the colder my temperatures are, the greater the amount (and distribution) of condensation to be formed in the system. So why is it that I not ever seen anything said about the drives or the power supply? As far as I know they aren't protected from condensation. Covering the bottom of the drives is no problem. But what about the power supply?

Shingoshi
2007.Dec.06 Thu, 18:25 --800 (PST)

[Shingoshi]

I hope it's ok to post this. I found this information on this page: Refrigeration 101 - Refridgerants

I have been researching using Ethanol (Denatured Alcohol) instead of ant-freeze, and mixing it with other chemicals to achieve even lower temperatures than can be had with Ethanol (-114*C) alone. In the process of my research, I came across what is known as azeotropic mixtures. Normal anti-freeze is an example of this. The simple definition is any compound which having it's constituent parts boil equally, so as not to separate. The advantage of this is that if you mix two or more chemicals with differing melting/boiling points, they will combine and behave entirely differently. They can display a boiling much lower than either of them separately.

So I have been thinking of mixing Ethanol with another substance (could even be a gas if it remains miscible or soluble) to achieve my desired temperatures.

R14, R23 and others are coming up as candidates. Propane would work too. But there is the flammability factor. Since most of the refrigerants are also flame supressors, they're better for this.

Shingoshi
2007.Dec.07 Fri, 06:13 --800 (PST)

[Shingoshi]

1. What is the average or typical differential experienced at the water block, between the inlet temperature and outlet temperature?
2. How is this differential effected by flow rates, and viscosity?

Shingoshi
2007.Dec.08 Sat, 23:31 --800 (PST)

[Shingoshi]

Some of you may want to see these links as a possible direction I'm headed in.
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECTS
http://www.iifiir.org/en/doc/1031.pdf

Shingoshi
2007.Dec.08 Sat, 23:36 --800 (PST)

[Shingoshi]

You guys have to see this just for the fun of it!
Custom PC's by Puget; Mineral Oil Submerged Computer

Oh, the detours one's research can take them into! But seriously, it's the liquid that counts. The intent is to raise the specific gravity of the coolant. A mixture of Mineral oil and Ethanol seems a good candidate. Looking into that mixture's characteristics as a possible azeotrope.

Shingoshi
2007.Dec.09 Sun, 04:00 --800 (PST)

[blue_fire]

Over at overclock.net, this and using a refrigerator has been heavily scrutinized. Yes it is possible, and best results have yielded from using pure ethanol. But it destroys the hardware. Eventually the pcb's bulge and renders it completely useless. It also destroys ball bearing fans. Travis actually used to rp units at geekend in vegatable oil submerged pc... its a fun project though.

[Shingoshi]

Originally Posted by blue_fire

Over at overclock.net, this and using a refrigerator has been heavily scrutinized. Yes it is possible, and best results have yielded from using pure ethanol. But it destroys the hardware. Eventually the pcb's bulge and renders it completely useless. It also destroys ball bearing fans. Travis actually used to rp units at geekend in vegatable oil submerged pc... its a fun project though.

I am not considering submerging anything. I am considering using a mixture of Ethanol and Mineral oil as my coolant. The reason for this is simple.
1. Ethanol simply can't be beat for it's low temperature resistance to freezing (-117*C).
2. Mineral oil is commonly used in electrical systems because of it's insulating qualities.
3. Mineral oil is a natural lubricant, and would serve to protect the pump.

I am still looking at other solutions as well, and will keep all updated. Transformer fluid is also coming up.

Shingoshi
2007.Dec.09 Sun, 11:43 --800 (PST)

[blue_fire]

transformer fluid would be a good expensive option, i see what you meant now. I was considering grabbing some wood alcohol for our next dry ice runs when we get our new pot done.

[Shingoshi]

Transformer fluid was merely an example. The idea is to find fluids like it, which present characteristics suitable to our application. Here are some comments I've found relating to Linseed oil, for example:

Fire departments treat the wood handles of hand tools that have metal implements (axes, plaster hooks etc.) on them with Linseed oil as it does not create static electricity, unlike synthetic wood finishes like varnishes.

Eliminating static electricity, means it's also likely an insulator. At the very least, spilling it shouldn't short anything out.

The thing is to use an oil which has a melting point close to that of Ethanol (within 50* or so of it). One of the substances no one has probably ever considered, is Turpentine. It has a melting point of approximately -50*C. That means, you'll likely never reach a temperature where it freezes. When mixed with Ethanol, the viscosty can be lowered, as well as it's freezing point.

The thing to consider when using any flammable substances, is the addition of a flame retardant. Since water mixes freely with Ethanol, part of the problem might be easily eliminated. There's always the option of synthetic oils as well. Many of them are nonflammable, and likely mix well with Ethanol also.

Just some hints of my direction.

Shingoshi
2007.Dec.09 Sun, 21:38 --800 (PST)

[blue_fire]

Thats a good idea with the linsead oil, if it leaks you may not have any problems. The only thing i would really worry about the with the cpu 330 is higher pressures, it should be completely ok with very cold temps as the aluminum will contract more than the copper.