Rate of water cooling through copper pipe?

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of a tank of water at 80 degrees celsius being pumped through a 3/8 inch thick copper pipe for a custom PC water cooling system. The question is how many meters of tubing would be needed to cool the water back down to an ambient temperature of 20 degrees celsius, assuming a flow rate of 0.13 liters per minute and a heat dissipation of 500W. The answer is approximately 70 meters.
  • #1
gaeilgeganeagla
1
0
So say I have a tank of water of about 2000mls which is at around 80 degrees celsius and is pumped around a copper system which is 3/8th inch thick pipe. how many meters would the water have to travel through copper pipe to return to ambient room temperature of about 20 degrees celsius. any help is much appreciated. this does relate to a real world idea i have at the moment for a custom pc water cooling system.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Assuming you mean 3/8 inch outside diameter copper tubing, and you need to dissipate, say, 500W of heat. At a flow rate of 0.13 liters/min, cooling the water from 80oC to 24oC in a 20oC room, you'll need about 70 meters of tubing.
 

1. What factors affect the rate of water cooling through a copper pipe?

The rate of water cooling through a copper pipe is affected by several factors, including the temperature difference between the water and the surrounding environment, the flow rate of the water, the diameter and length of the copper pipe, and the material of the pipe itself.

2. How does the temperature difference between the water and the environment impact the rate of cooling?

The greater the temperature difference, the faster the rate of cooling. This is because heat energy always moves from a higher temperature to a lower temperature, so a greater difference in temperature means a larger amount of heat is transferred from the water to the surrounding environment.

3. Does the flow rate of water affect the rate of cooling in a copper pipe?

Yes, the flow rate of water can have a significant impact on the rate of cooling. Higher flow rates mean that fresh, cooler water is constantly being brought into contact with the pipe, allowing for faster heat transfer and thus a faster rate of cooling.

4. How does the length and diameter of a copper pipe affect the rate of water cooling?

The length and diameter of a copper pipe can also impact the rate of cooling. A longer pipe means there is more surface area for heat to be transferred from the water to the environment, thus increasing the rate of cooling. Additionally, a larger diameter pipe allows for more water to flow through, which can also contribute to a faster rate of cooling.

5. Does the material of the copper pipe make a difference in the rate of water cooling?

Yes, the material of the copper pipe can affect the rate of cooling. Copper is a good conductor of heat, meaning it can transfer heat energy quickly. This allows for faster cooling compared to materials with lower thermal conductivity, such as plastic.

Similar threads

  • General Engineering
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
782
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
4
Views
831
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
2
Replies
56
Views
3K
Replies
40
Views
4K
Back
Top