[donmei]

TRM,
your arguments are well thought out. But . . lets say the water just runs down the intercooler, and some other liquid instantly evaporates when it hits the intercooler.

In this case the numbers we are using are the specific heat of water (kcal/ml/degC - or something like that) vs the specific heat of VAPORIZATION of this other liquid.

And if memory serves me correct, the specific heat of vaporization is an order of magnitude higher than just what is required to heat water 50 degrees or so. So if we are comparing heat that is consumed just HEATING water vs what is consumed VAPORIZING some other liquid, (even if it has a lower specific heat than water) then the other liquid may be more effective.

I'm not saying it is. I'm just saying that you shouldn't dismiss it out of hand. I hope this makes sense.

Don

p.s. another aspect of specific heat is it is per gram or ml or some other unit of mass. This is irrelivant in our case, because if we used a liquid with a REALLLLLYY high vapor pressure, but a low specific heat, we could rig up a system that cools really well. Liquids that come to mind are freon and propane. If you spray them they come out a liquid and will instantly freeze whatever you spray them at. (think about when you take that little bottle of canned air for cleaning computer keyboards and turn it upside down)

[TRM]

Don, i think you are spot on. i certainly don't understand enough about vapor pressure to accurately speak to how it helps with an alcohol.

the freon idea is a good one. in a closed loop like an air conditioner it's very effective at cooling rapidly.

[Franklin]

I have a few blobs of algae in my tank. Looks like I need to get some rubbing alcohol.

[AdamBlitzer]

yea i just splash some rubbing alc in.. not for cooling but in the summer to prevent/stop anything from growing and in the winter to prevent from freezing.

[donmei]

hurry before it cloggs the nozzle.