Sustainable and Efficient Heat Management through Immersion Cooling Fluids

Highlights

• Introduction
• Versatile applications of immersion cooling fluids 
• The advent of sustainable immersion cooling fluids
• Recent developments in the landscape

Immersion cooling fluid is a dielectric, non-conductive liquid used to submerge IT components, such as servers and computer parts, to dissipate heat efficiently. This method maintains optimal operating temperatures and prevents electrical shorts. Immersion cooling systems efficiently absorb and dissipate heat, bypassing the thermal resistance and conduction challenges of air-cooling systems, which enhances cooling efficiency. Unlike traditional cooling systems, immersion cooling requires fewer fans and less air conditioning equipment, resulting in energy savings and lower carbon emissions. Additionally, these systems eliminate the noise from fan operation and minimize dust-related impact on hardware, thereby increasing equipment reliability and extending its lifespan.

The emergence of technologies like artificial intelligence, 5G networks, and cryptocurrency mining produces significant heat, requiring sophisticated cooling solutions. Immersion cooling fluids play a key role in maintaining optimal operating temperatures, thereby improving performance and reliability in these applications. They are versatile and are used in transformers, electric vehicle  batteries, and solar photovoltaic systems. The immersion cooling fluid industry is estimated to showcase a noteworthy CAGR of 18.6% by 2032.

The versatility of immersion cooling fluid  

Immersion cooling fluid is widely utilized in data centers, where high-density server setups produce substantial heat. By immersing IT hardware in dielectric fluids, this cooling method improves thermal efficiency, lowers energy consumption, and simplifies airflow management. It also enables higher compute density and greater flexibility in data center design, making it a popular choice for contemporary facilities. Furthermore, immersion cooling is becoming more common for cooling EV batteries. This approach helps maintain optimal operating temperatures, improving battery performance and lifespan while ensuring safety during charging and discharging cycles. Effective heat management is essential as EV technology progresses and battery densities rise.

 

In solar energy applications, immersion cooling fluid effectively manages heat in photovoltaic systems, improving their efficiency and performance. Maintaining solar panels at optimal temperatures helps achieve better energy conversion rates and enhances overall system reliability.

Enhancing data center sustainability with biodegradable immersion cooling fluids

Single-phase immersion cooling fluids that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly are being increasingly developed and adopted in response to sustainability concerns. While conventional mineral oil-based fluids are effective, they present environmental risks related to disposal and potential leakage. Manufacturers are developing biobased, biodegradable alternatives that offer comparable performance without compromising environmental responsibility. The usage of biodegradable immersion cooling fluids aligns with the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources in data centers, promoting a more sustainable ecosystem.

Moreover, the heat extracted by immersion cooling systems using biodegradable fluids are captured and repurposed for other applications, such as space heating or water heating. This usage boosts sustainability and enhances the overall efficiency of the system.

Petronas collaborated with Iceotope to launch a new data center cooling fluid

Petronas Lubricants International, an oil and gas company, launched a new data center cooling fluid and has partnered with Iceotope. The Malaysian firm announced the launch of a liquid coolant, Petronas Iona Tera specifically for data centers in June 2024.

Petronas stated that the launch of the Iona Tera coolant comes after nearly two years of thermal management research and development, including the assessment of various fluid chemistries and materials under laboratory conditions. The Iona fluid was initially developed for EVs, addressing cooling needs for the engine, gearbox, battery, and bearings. It has also been utilized as a cooling fluid for phase change materials and EV charging stations.

Perstorp and Intel teamed up to develop IP Advanced Liquid Cooling, a synthetic thermal management fluid

In June 2024, a wholly owned subsidiary of PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) and global specialty chemicals innovator, Perstorp, and Intel’s Open IP developed a high-performance synthetic thermal management fluid for immersion cooling in data centers. Their partnership, which started in 2022, focuses on advancing more sustainable cooling solutions for data centers. Intel’s SuperFluid technology uses air as lubrication to boost the capacity to 800W per chip compared to traditional single-phase immersion cooling.

To conclude, immersion cooling fluids are transforming heat management in data centers, EV batteries, and solar systems, delivering enhanced efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. Moreover, advancements in biodegradable options and new high-performance solutions are improving performance while promoting eco-friendly practices in cooling technology.

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