QuietIce
Disabled
- Joined
- May 7, 2006
- Location
- Anywhere but there
I know we have several people on this board who know thermodynamics. I've got a good "textbook" problem for you if you feel up to doing one.
I've done some research and managed to figure out the basic equations but what I'm trying to figure seems beyond me and I need help.
I'm considering installing a permanent, passive heatsink in the basement. Digging a trench outside is just not an option. Not only would it need to be ~3' deep (our frost-line here in KC) but the only two places I have to dig it would put the lines to the outside at least 50' away from the computers. With those obstacles I'd rather install one in the basement and insulate as necessary.
My basic idea is to run some type of rectangular copper tubing against the concrete basement wall using it as a heatsink. I could easily grout over and around the copper to help as a sink and then add insulation over that as thick as needed. The basement wall is 6" thick and behind the wall is at least 4' of dirt - mostly clay soil. Cave temps in Missouri run 13-14°C and the basement ambient is ~20°C.
Assume 2000W to cool and hopefully a full 2 GPM after restrictions. I've got an Iwaki MD30RZT pump for the main cooling loop, which will only include the copper in the basement and a 2(?) gallon res upstairs where the computers are. This is for a long-term SETI farm so I want to make sure I have enough extra to last awhile. What I need to know is how much surface area contact would I need against the wall, what spacing between the rectangular runners to avoid heat build-up between them, and how much insulation between the runners and the basement air?
I have another option I would consider but I'd like to see the numbers for this one first since it's the easiest to do, though not necessarily the cheapest.
Any help or useful comments would be appreciated ...
I've done some research and managed to figure out the basic equations but what I'm trying to figure seems beyond me and I need help.
I'm considering installing a permanent, passive heatsink in the basement. Digging a trench outside is just not an option. Not only would it need to be ~3' deep (our frost-line here in KC) but the only two places I have to dig it would put the lines to the outside at least 50' away from the computers. With those obstacles I'd rather install one in the basement and insulate as necessary.
My basic idea is to run some type of rectangular copper tubing against the concrete basement wall using it as a heatsink. I could easily grout over and around the copper to help as a sink and then add insulation over that as thick as needed. The basement wall is 6" thick and behind the wall is at least 4' of dirt - mostly clay soil. Cave temps in Missouri run 13-14°C and the basement ambient is ~20°C.
Assume 2000W to cool and hopefully a full 2 GPM after restrictions. I've got an Iwaki MD30RZT pump for the main cooling loop, which will only include the copper in the basement and a 2(?) gallon res upstairs where the computers are. This is for a long-term SETI farm so I want to make sure I have enough extra to last awhile. What I need to know is how much surface area contact would I need against the wall, what spacing between the rectangular runners to avoid heat build-up between them, and how much insulation between the runners and the basement air?
I have another option I would consider but I'd like to see the numbers for this one first since it's the easiest to do, though not necessarily the cheapest.
Any help or useful comments would be appreciated ...