Water-cooled electrolytic capacitors

What are water cooled capacitors used for?

These water–cooled capacitors are specially designed for use in inductive heating and melting plants for power factor improvement and also for tuning of the circuits for varying inductive loads. The liquids that are commonly used in such systems are water, a mixture of water and chemical solutions, and de-ionized water.

What are the characteristics of water cooled capacitors?

The water for use in water cooled capacitors should be chemically neutral, mechanically pure, and its electrical conductivity should not exceed the value specified by the manufacturer, typically 500µS/cm. The performance characteristics of water cooled capacitors are significantly dependent on the stability of the cooling water supply system.

Are water cooled capacitors suitable for high-current applications?

Capacitors with integrated water cooling systems are suitable for such applications. Using water cooled capacitors also helps to reduce the cost and the number of components used. Film and ceramic capacitors with integrated liquid cooling systems are increasingly becoming popular for high-current applications.

How to cool a water cooled capacitor?

There are various ways of achieving cooling in water cooled capacitors. The most commonly used designs are transverse cooling and foil cooling. In transverse cooling, the cooling system is insulated from the elements of the capacitor. The coils are inserted between the elements of a component.

Are water cooled capacitors suitable for thermal management?

Although this approach helps in thermal management, it is not a suitable option for applications with limited space. Capacitors with integrated water cooling systems are suitable for such applications. Using water cooled capacitors also helps to reduce the cost and the number of components used.

Are water cooled capacitors more efficient?

However, such methods of cooling (which only bring the cooling medium into contact with the external case of the capacitor) are not as efficient thermally as the designs of water-cooled capacitors where water is passed through the interior of the capacitor so that heat is extracted as close as possible to its where it is generated.