COOLING APPARATUS

摘要

Cooling apparatus (10) for cooling a medium is disclosed. At least part of the apparatus (10) is in thermal communication with the medium. The apparatus (10) comprises a refrigerant holding means (12) whereby a refrigerant can be provided on the refrigerant holding means (12) such that on evaporation of the refrigerant from the refrigerant holding means, heat can be transferred from the medium to the refrigerant holding means (12) thereby cooling the medium. The apparatus (10) may cool the medium directly in which case the medium may be in direct thermal contact with the refrigerant holding means. Alternatively, the apparatus (10) may include heat transfer means, for example a heat pipe (114) to transfer heat from the medium to the refrigerant holding means (12) on evaporation of the refrigerant. The refrigerant holding means (12) may be a porous member.