The Definitive Guide to Thermal Management Solutions

Aerospace

The most common types of thermal management systems in the aerospace sector include:

• Convective heat transfer systems, added to the device (i.e., fins) or manufactured directly into the system
• Forced ventilation systems, using ducted high-speed airflow or axial fans
• Vapor cycle systems, using refrigerants
• Liquid cooling/heating systems
• Thermoelectric devices

Conductive heat sinks can be used in some large-scale or stationary applications. However, they are typically not used in aviation or aerospace vehicles due to the heat sink’s relative size, weight, and inefficiency.

Defense

Depending on the intended use, size, and carrying capacity of military vehicles, they may employ heavier or larger thermal management systems. For example, a 90,000-ton aircraft carrier that does not have size or weight restrictions would benefit from a heavier thermal management approach. However, directed energy weapons, mobile launchers, portable weapon systems, and other weight-sensitive or size-constrained military applications require thermal management approaches similar to those for aerospace and aviation applications.

Designers of thermal management systems must consider the following key factors when determining the best approach for a specific military application:

• Durability
• Efficiency
• Overall dimensions
• Weight
• Zero or high-gravity functionality

Data Centers

It is imperative to regulate the temperatures at a data center to ensure the proper protection and transmission of critical information. These methods are commonly used to achieve data center cooling:

• Venting hot air outdoors while bringing outside air inside, cooling that air and circulating it throughout the facility
• Recycling internal air and cooling it through a hot and cold aisle design, maximizing cooling efficiency
• Venting hot air outdoors and then drawing pre-chilled air from outside to cool down the facility. Known as free cooling, this approach only works for facilities located in colder climates.
• Heating or cooling a facility to the highest recommended temperature and replacing the equipment whenever it fails. This close-coupled cooling method can be less expensive, as many cooling methods cost more than average equipment replacement costs.