In college I used to be a computer nut, I still am but not like I used to. I was into major overclocking and customization of desktop PC's. One way in which to bring CPU temps down really low, I mean to about -22C. The process is known as Phase-Change, it cools the CPU down so far it allows it to reach insane speeds without getting hot. An idea popped in my head and wondered why we couldn't use computer cooling technology on an automobile. I mean it's pretty much a closed loop system in both that transfer heat powered by water pumps, right?

The next step that's less extreme is using what's called a Peltier or TEC module. It doesn't get as cold as staged Phase Change but the modules are no bigger than a CPU processor and you can reach cool-side temps of about 0 -5C (some even down to -60C). Now the colder you go the hotter the other side will be. Since we're not dealing with confined spaces like a computer case, the hot side doesn't even matter that much. The only thing you'd have to worry about is plastic parts close by that could melt.

So, I bring the idea to you all and to some of you computer guru's. How would a TEC cooled coolant reservoir sound? It could get the coolant substantially cooler before going into it's loop (heck it might actually get heated up while it's in the loop) maybe providing more power by keeping the supercharger and engine cool

Best of all is that they are pretty inexpensive, $30 max for a good one. Let me know your ideas, thoughts

 

TEC cooled coolant reservoir. I was just about to say that.

 

Interesting ideas, Gator.
Phase change would require some kind of substance which would, of course, disappear over time, like dry ice - solid to vapor w/o turning to liquid first.
TEC, on the other hand might actually be practical, plus some TEC's will run on 12Vdc. I haven't done enough research on these babies to be sure but do they come in sizes big enough to fit the intercooler or would the plan be to place several in various spots on the cooler instead?

 

This reminds me of the old pop-mechanics amonia-H2O solar powered fridge.

I'm not familiar with this tech, but it sounds like you're pumping the heat elsewhere, so you'll probably need a bigger HE andcooling fans.

 

Hi, Jeff!

TEC's are basically 2 wafers of material - one that removes heat, and quickly too, & the other side releases it. Kinda cool (no pun intended). You would have to mount them on the rear of the intercooler (assuming this is what Gator is talkin' about) otherwise the heat being removed would blow right back into the cooler again.
There are problems: like most TEC's aren't big, they're just little dudes that are usually used to cool CPU's (like Gator mentioned) so size would be an issue. You'd probably have to glue a bunch of them all over the place to make a difference. Electronics are not my strong point so I would have no idea how you would power a whole crapful of them on the IC.
Interesting idea though & not bogus like Maverick (whatever happened to that guy anyways?) & his electric supercharger!

 

Hey Kurtz -

Just can't get around those pesky thernodynamics, and these don't seem to be built to the needed scale. While, performance wise, it would be better if the IC wasn't in the V of the V6, and it didn't share the radiator resivoir, I do love the zero to warm in 60 secs.

However, any tech that can make a heat pump for these beasties is a good thing. Just need the heat sink. (I'm seeing a red hot wing at 180 mph )

BTW - Love the King Crimson avatar. Got to meet Robert Fripp ~1990 when he was touring with his guitar school. I don't think he was too happy because he was discussing establishing courses in "audience craft."

 

I'm sure that you could cool the CPU, but I doubt that would have a significant impact on the car's performance. If the car's computer were calculating pi or prime numbers it would speed the process, but it will not have any effect on the speed of combustion, etc.

 

If it didn't have a significant impact then why are there larger HE's for most forced induction cars? It's a matter of removing heat from the loop. Larger HE's hold more coolant which allows it to lose more heat generated by the SC or Turbo, it probably wouldn't help at all for a Limited. It's only an idea and since TEC's are inexpensive it's not a bad idea to try it out. If it fails then I'm only out about $60 but if it helps performance then it's a cheap way to grab a few HP and a great way to combat Heat Soak of the SC.

I guess the idea is not to generate any more HP (if it does, great) but rather to help the car sustain HP over a long period of time and allow the engine to run cooler especially when running at the track

 

TECs dont get rid of heat, they move it from one junction to the other and you need to get rid of the heat in any event.

Bad news is this pumping costs a lot of power (electrical ) as the electron flow is what moves the heat and you have to dissipate the losses within the TEC also. These things work in a 6 pack cooler but draw 5 or 6 amps and could never get rid of the heat from the H/E system. There is hundreds of thousands of BTUs moving around under the hood at any given time.

You would add lots of weight, wires, alternator load, and therefore engine load......

The second law of thermodynamics states;

You can not break even.......

You can not quit the game.........

You can not win..............

[ A quote from a very gifted nuclear physicist that I know]

Enjoy, Woody

 

Thanks, I was about to point out the same thing...

TANSTAAFL.

There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.

 

I agree with Woody. The scale of an engine heat problem is so far above a CPU, that you would need ridiculous power (electrical) to run a TEC or Peltier that would be big enough to make a significant difference. Then the problem becomes where would you get all that amperage? The car's alternator isn't gonna cut it.

It's a great idea - the whole TEC or Peltier thing - but unfortunately, it's not gonna be achievable until we get superconductors and very high efficiency TEC or Peltier units.