The innovation and technological advancements have pushed data and data technology to new heights. Every component of our lives is now running through data and connected devices like smart devices, automated homes, smart cities, and autonomous vehicles. And all this is done with the help of data centers.

The only difficulty seen in data centers is seen in terms of an exquisite cost in power consumption. It also affects water usage, carbon footprint, and many more things. The data center managers just want quicker, smarter, more power-efficient, and sustainable data centers.

As we are discussing the types of heat transfer fluids and the best heat transfer fluid, it is suitable to mention immersion cooling. 

What is immersion cooling for data centers?

Two-phased Immersion cooling is relatively a new cooling method for data centers. In this method of immersion cooling, the digital parts and components are submerged into a pool of dielectric heat-transfer liquid. The type of liquid that is used for the immersion is a far better heat conductor than air-water or any oil. The cooling fluids have a boiling point at 50°C which boils at the bottom and the rising vapor works as the heat transfer. 

If we compare it with submersion oil cooling, the two-phased immersion cooling liquids are clean, environment friendly, and non-flammable. It also does not require other tools like pumps or jets to maintain hardware cool. The circulation of coolants happens passively using the method of evaporation and without needing more power. It is this simplicity that removes traditional cooling hardware and affects higher cooling efficiency. 

Why is cooling needed for data centers?

The IT sector and data center managers have a critical task to maintain the centers according to the applicable pace of quick and fast computing platforms. With the advanced technology, the CPUs, GPUs, and servers have become smaller in footprint, quicker in processing, and consequently more heated. The increased operating temperature can be damaging to the internal as well as external components. The older methods of air-cooling are neither applicable nor wanted. The old cooling methods cannot maintain tempo with the thermal control necessities of new devices. 

In addition, the area, complexity, maintenance, capital, and operating costs of the conventional methods destroy the margin of data centers. The only way that the data centers can keep up with the macro-scale effects of growing electricity densities and heat generation for excessive electricity computing is to use types of heat transfer fluids for immersion cooling of data centers.

There are various types of heat transfer fluids and coolant alternatives for data centers. The overall performance of the facility can be exceptional by just using immersion cooling methods. 

Benefits of immersion cooling

Reduction in power expenses up to 97%

One of the most beneficial things is the reduction in the power required for this. This technique can enhance the data power efficiency by as much as 97%.

Much less space is required

It helps in saving space as the electronics can be put together very closely. It will help to provide more space to compute the density in a given area. This opens the opportunities wherein you may place data methods.

Optimization of the overall performance of data center

With high thermal capacity, the processing capacity can also be higher and 

Mitigate system breakdown

A server liquid immersion cooling method removes the contaminants that are generated from the air and simplifies the thermal layout to lessen shifting parts. This will allow the electronics to run at full capacity with lesser wear and tear.

It is a sustainable alternative and preference for the environment

Saving power is the best way to prevent harm to the planet. The methods that use less energy while generating greater output are always welcomed and needed. These types of heat transfer fluids require a small amount of energy that results in fewer emissions. 

It is safe for use 

It is the safest type of heat transfer fluid using the immersion cooling method. This doesn’t compromise the protection and safety of the user. It is designed by keeping in mind the capacity of overall protection for workers. It also has very low toxicity and non-flammability. 

How many types of heat transfer fluids are available?

Thermal oil, water, and water-glycol are the most common types of heat transfer fluids and each of them provides diverse benefits and has some distinct drawbacks as well. It is crucial to recognize what can be the best heat transfer fluid for different applications.

• Hot water and water-glycol

Water is the quality viable heat transfer medium to be had while thinking about thermophysical properties; however, it additionally comes with some drawbacks. Principally that it could be corrosive, incorporate contaminants, has a boiling point of 212ºF, and freeze at 32ºF. Adding glycol water will increase the boiling factor and reduce the freezing factor, even though that incorporates heat ability.

• Thermal oil

Thermal oils tolerate much higher temperatures than water-based formulations without boiling or unduly growing gadget pressure. Natural oils can attain temperatures as much as 600° F, at the same time as a few synthetics permit oil-primarily based structures to attain 800° F. Thermal oils also are generally non-corrosive and don’t want to be dealt with like water to save you difficult water deposits from forming in the gadget.

Which is the best heat transfer fluid for immersion cooling?

Immersion cooling fluids have dielectric fluorochemicals for direct contact cooling for avionics. It is one of the best heat transfer fluids for immersion cooling techniques. Fluorinert liquids have the most dielectric power and electric resistivity of all-natural fluids, a good deal higher in truth than air. In this manner, they have got very little solvency for hydrocarbons. Components taken out of Fluorinert liquid additionally dry out easily, and may not be wet, sticky, or oily. There isn’t any requirement to put together with rubber mats, tissues, or different substances while taking the servers out of the liquid for maintenance.

Conclusion

Data centers or IT components are submerged in a thermally conductive dielectric liquid or coolant. Heat is eliminated from the gadget by circulating the liquid into direct contact with thermal additives, wherein the liquid undergoes a low-temperature evaporation method to chill the recent additives and transfer the heat out of the liquid. The fluid is cooled down once more by using a heat transfer approach which includes a condenser coil to permit go back circulation of the bigger liquid volume.