Heat Transfer Interface And Method Of Improving Heat Transfer

Abstract

An embodiment of a heat transfer interface includes a solid material having first and second surfaces, and a nanotube forest covering at least a portion of the first surface, In operation in a heat exchanger, the heat transfer interface transmits heat from a first side to a second side of the heat transfer interface. An embodiment of a method of improving heat transfer in a heat exchanger includes applying a nanotube forest to a heat transfer surface of a heat transfer interface and installing the heat transfer interface in the heat exchanger.

1 . A heat transfer interface comprising:
 a solid material having first and second surfaces; and   a nanotube forest covering at least a portion of the first surface,   wherein in operation in a heat exchanger, the heat transfer interface transmits heat from a first side to a second side of the heat transfer interface.   
     
     
         2 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 1  wherein the nanotube forest comprises carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 1  wherein in operation of the heat exchanger, the first surface receives radiant energy. 
     
     
         4 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 3  wherein the radiant energy comprises sunlight. 
     
     
         5 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 1  wherein in operation of the heat exchanger, the first surface transmits heat to a fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 5  wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 6  wherein the nanotube forest further comprises a superhydrophilic surface treatment. 
     
     
         8 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 1  further comprising a second nanotube forest covering at least a portion of the second surface. 
     
     
         9 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 8  wherein in operation of the heat exchanger, the first surface receives radiant energy, thereby producing heat in the solid material, and the second surface transmits the heat to a fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 9  wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         11 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 10  wherein the nanotube forest further comprises a superhydrophilic surface treatment. 
     
     
         12 . A heat transfer interface comprising:
 a solid material having first and second surfaces;   a first nanotube forest covering at least a portion of the first surface; and   a second nanotube forest covering at least a portion of the second surface, the second nanotube forest comprising a superhydrophilic surface treatment,   wherein in operation in a heat exchanger, the heat transfer interface transmits heat from a first side to a second side of the heat transfer interface.   
     
     
         13 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 12  wherein in operation of the heat exchanger, the first surface receives radiant energy that produces heat within the solid material and the second surface transfers the heat to a liquid. 
     
     
         14 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 13  wherein the liquid comprises water. 
     
     
         15 . A method of improving heat transfer in a heat exchanger comprising:
 applying a nanotube forest to a heat transfer surface of a heat transfer interface; and   installing the heat transfer interface in the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         16 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 15  further comprising operating the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         17 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 16  wherein the heat transfer surface receives radiant energy. 
     
     
         18 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 16  wherein the heat transfer surface transfers heat to a fluid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 18  wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 19  further comprising applying a superhydrophilic treatment to the nanotube forest. 
     
     
         21 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 1  wherein in operation of the heat exchanger, the first surface transmits radiant energy. 
     
     
         22 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 21  wherein the radiant energy comprises sunlight. 
     
     
         23 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 1  wherein in operation of the heat exchanger, the first surface transmits heat from a fluid. 
     
     
         24 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 23  wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         25 . The heat transfer interface of  claim 24  wherein the nanotube forest further comprises a superhydrophilic surface treatment. 
     
     
         26 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 16  wherein the heat transfer surface transmits radiant energy. 
     
     
         27 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 16  wherein the heat transfer surface transfers heat from a fluid. 
     
     
         28 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 27  wherein the fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         29 . The method of improving the heat transfer of  claim 28  further comprising applying a superhydrophilic treatment to the nanotube forest.