Immersion cooling uses flood coolant, ie it floods the hot element to be cooled. This article focuses on the macro universe of critical data center infrastructures.
There is a growing demand for data processing in the Big Data ecosystem, driven by the digital transformation (5G) due to new IoT, Edge Computing, Super Computing, AI and Machine Learning architectures. The continuous needs for greater cooling capacity, with “environmentally friendly” systems, force the industry to find new technological “tools” to respond to these constant challenges. Traditional technologies, such as peripheral climate control (DX or CW), Inrow (in line with the racks) or closer proximity to the IT processing equipment itself, are insufficient. The current reality has high thermal density.
The increasing density of IT super processors drives infrastructure support technology manufacturers with a primary focus on energy efficiency and subsequent environmental sustainability. As a result of R&D by the manufacturers, the HVAC technology by immersion appears in high computing infrastructures and very high-density data centers. Such innovative solutions easily simplify the design, infrastructure, and operation of traditional data centers.
In terms of capacity, we are specifically talking about HVAC systems that can handle high-density loads of up to 100 kW per rack. These types of systems use a unique, non-toxic, odorless, dielectric coolant that is electrically and chemically inert. It has 1200 times more heat transport capacity than air. This capacity means that servers with high heat densities can be cooled much more efficiently, reducing HVAC energy costs by up to 95%.
These new liquid immersion HVAC systems are increasingly appreciated in the context of data center and co-location facilities, as they not only support high computing environments, but also promote greater energy efficiency, sustainability, and reliability (when compared to traditional HVAC solutions).
We present the benefits and decision factors for this type of solution.
Advantages:
• 100% innovative solution;
• Highly energy efficient (PUE = 1.05);
• Small footprint;
• Lightweight solution;
• Easy and quick to implement;
• Environmentally resilient;
• Very flexible (compatible with IT equipment from the vast majority of “players” on the market).
Decision factors:
• Increased density;
• PUE reduction;
• Space constraints;
• Uncontrolled IT environment;
• Data center technological upgrade.
The potential applications of this type of technology are enormous:
• Artificial intelligence;
• Machine Learning;
• Cloud/on Data Center Premises
• High Performance Computing
• Growing universe of “Blockchain” technology
• IoT
• Edge computing.
How does immersion cooling work?
The system consists of a CDU (Refrigerant Distribution Unit), horizontal racks and equipment fluid distribution system. The CDU has a built-in exchanger with an integrated circulation pump and is also equipped with an external cooling tower. This element allows external evaporation of the coolant (to reject the heat removed from the IT equipment) to the environment. Servers are installed vertically in horizontal racks filled with a dielectric coolant, which is an excellent conductor of heat but not electricity. Coolant circulates between the racks and a coolant distribution unit, which is connected to a hot water circuit. It uses an evaporative cooling tower, a dry cooler, or a chiller circuit as a source of heat exchange and rejection to the outside environment.
