Condensation Question

[r21g]

How can electronics be cooled, to close to freezing temps, without causing condensation?

[MigL]

By freezing temps I assume you mean zero deg C.

Condensation is caused by water vapour in air, and it condenses out when cooled.

Remove the moisture laden air from contact with the electronic components by immersing in a non-conductive oil, and cool the hot components with a water-block with refrigerant going through the lines.

 

Seems excessively elaborate, and if your intention is over-clocking processors, the results aren't worth the effort.

[pavelcherepan]

How can electronics be cooled, to close to freezing temps, without causing condensation?

 

By cooling it down in a vacuum. If you look at the phase diagram of water, below 611 Pa liquid phase can not exist any more regardless of the temperature.

 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Phase_diagram_of_water.svg

[John Cuthber]

Condensation will take place if enough water vapour comes into contact with a cold surface.

Since you have defined the temperature, you need to ensure that the water vapour concentration is low enough.

You need a drying agent or a source of gas that's dry- like bottled air or nitrogen.

[druS]

You would have to cool the air to the same temp, or better to a lower temp to remove the moisture. Close to freezing will be a problem as coils will frost up. If it was industrial scale I would look to commercial refrigeration systems. If your electronics are in a room maintained below freezing the air will have frosted out, simply maintain it.

 

If it is for home electronics your only real hope is put the electronics inside a hermetically sealed container after the air inside has been treated. Dropped below freezing probably. Your problem will getting the electronics inside the container without introducing new humid air. If you had a freezer room available you might manage it there but cooling down the equipment could simply create the problem earlier. It doesn't sound optimistic.

 

If it is for home/project:

Choose a higher temp - say 16 degrees. You have a chance then. Then keep the equipment in a room that has A/C that is capable of controlling humidity. This stuff is available if you look for it. I presume the electronics is liquid cooled. If so make up the difference with a higher flow rate.