Cooling is removal of
heat
In thermodynamics, heat is defined as the form of energy crossing the boundary of a thermodynamic system by virtue of a temperature difference across the boundary. A thermodynamic system does not ''contain'' heat. Nevertheless, the term is ...
, usually resulting in a lower
temperature
Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses quantitatively the perceptions of hotness and coldness. Temperature is measured with a thermometer.
Thermometers are calibrated in various temperature scales that historically have relied o ...
and/or
phase change. Temperature lowering achieved by any other means may also be called cooling.
[ASHRAE Terminology, https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/free-resources/ashrae-terminology]
The
transfer of
thermal energy may occur via
thermal radiation,
heat conduction or
convection
Convection is single or multiphase fluid flow that occurs spontaneously due to the combined effects of material property heterogeneity and body forces on a fluid, most commonly density and gravity (see buoyancy). When the cause of the c ...
. Examples can be as simple as reducing temperature of a coffee.
Devices
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Coolant
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Cooling towers, as used in large industrial plants and
power stations
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Daytime passive radiative cooler
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Evaporative cooler
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Heat exchanger
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Heat pipe
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Heat sink
A heat sink (also commonly spelled heatsink) is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic or a mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where it is dissipated away from the device, ...
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HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
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Intercooler
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Radiative cooling
In the study of heat transfer, radiative cooling is the process by which a body loses heat by thermal radiation. As Planck's law describes, every physical body spontaneously and continuously emits electromagnetic radiation.
Radiative coolin ...
in
Heat shields
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Radiators in automobiles
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Pumpable ice technology
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Thermoelectric cooling
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Vortex tube
The vortex tube, also known as the Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube, is a mechanical device that separates a compressed gas into hot and cold streams. The gas emerging from the hot end can reach temperatures of , and the gas emerging from the cold end ...
, as used in industrial spot cooling
References
External links
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{{Authority control
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
Broad-concept articles
Cooling technology