Freon and mineral oil cooling
Freon and mineral oil cooling
I’m currently in a position with a substantial budget to purchase quality CPUs for a new build. The system would be versatile enough for various tasks and could handle overclocking well. I really enjoy overclocking and would like to use freon for cooling. I’m aware of the condensation problems, so I had an idea: using freon to cool the CPU while it’s suspended in mineral oil might solve the water issue. However, I’m curious about potential risks if the mineral oil freezes. Are there any other concerns or past experiences with this approach?
The freezing point of mineral oil is likely determined by the specific type of oil being used. Be aware that it tends to solidify before it actually freezes. What equipment will you employ for the evaporator, and how will you manage the compressor to prevent excessive cooling? Returning liquid refrigerant to the compressor can cause significant damage, and simply turning it on and off repeatedly is unlikely to be effective—short periods without cooling can lead to overheating. Increasing the frequency of switching will also cause short cycling, which is detrimental to the compressor.
The freezing point of mineral oil is likely determined by the specific type of oil being used. Be aware that it tends to solidify before it actually freezes. What equipment will you employ for the evaporator, and how will you manage the compressor to prevent excessive cooling? Returning the liquid refrigerant back to the compressor can cause serious damage, and simply turning it on and off repeatedly is unlikely to be effective—short periods without cooling can lead to overheating. Increasing the frequency of switching will also cause short cycling, which is detrimental to the compressor.
In addition to the requirements in the U.S., you must also be licensed to work with freon. You should have the right equipment, including proper manifolds and recovery tools. The EPA would be very concerned if someone were releasing freon unchecked into the atmosphere. Freon cooling functions similarly to an air conditioner; the pressure changes and expansion of freon create the cooling effect, but you still need a way to remove the heat since the warmth it generates elsewhere in the system becomes a problem.
Final checks indicate the ozone hole is diminishing; you're trying to damage it? Not funny, refrigeration companies have already moved to different materials long ago—consider that alternative.
This trend of mineral oil cooling methods keeps rising, but it's not a good approach. Introducing freon only worsens the situation.
The plan is to transport the Freon to the CPU face in a controlled manner.