Thermal transfer device and working fluid therefor including a kinetic ice inhibitor

摘要

A kinetic ice inhibitor is added to water in very small quantities (0.5 to 1.0 wt. %) to inhibit the nucleation and growth of ice crystals when the water is used as a working fluid in a heat transfer device, such as a vapor chamber heat sink. The preferred type of kinetic ice inhibitor is a water soluble polymer or copolymer, such as polymers, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyvinylcaprolactam (PVCAP) and terpolymers VC-713. These polymers kinetically delay or inhibit the formation and growth of ice crystals in the water and significantly reduce the chances of expansion damage to the heat transfer device when subjected to below freezing temperatures potentially encountered during shipment and storage.