Application Fields and Future Trends of immersion liquid cooling
With the rapid development of computing intensive applications such as artificial intelligence, Internet of things, cryptocurrency and AR / VR, the increasing computing demand makes the data center gradually develop to "high performance, high density and high energy consumption". Immersion liquid cooling uses coolant as the heat transmission medium. The liquid has higher thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity, so it can conduct heat faster and absorb heat more effectively. At the same time, because the use of fans and air conditioners is reduced, the data center using immersion liquid cooling technology has lower pue.
Immersive liquid cooling systems utilize specific liquids that come into direct contact with electronic or mechanical equipment, transferring and dispersing heat through natural or forced circulation of the liquid. This direct contact and heat transfer method has higher efficiency and lower thermal resistance compared to air cooling. The first stage is heat absorption: The heat generated by electronic devices during operation is directly absorbed by the components immersed in the liquid, and during this process, the temperature of the liquid gradually rises. The second stage is heat transfer: the liquid that rises in temperature is then transported through natural convection or pumped to other parts of the cooling system. The heat is transferred to the outside world through the cooler, and the liquid is cooled down, restarting the cycle.
Immersive liquid cooling technology mainly uses non-conductive and high thermal conductivity liquids, which have unique physical and chemical properties, making them an ideal choice for efficient heat dissipation. Common immersive liquid cooling liquids include mineral oil, synthetic liquids (such as fluoride liquids), and biodegradable liquids. These media each have their own advantages, but synthetic liquids, especially fluoride liquids, are widely used in immersive liquid cooling systems due to their excellent thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties. Fluoride liquids not only have good thermal conductivity, but also have the characteristics of low viscosity and low surface tension, which allows the liquid to easily flow and fill various gaps in the equipment, effectively transferring heat and ensuring stable cooling effects.
To maximize the efficiency of immersive liquid cooling technology, system design and optimization are crucial. When designing, it is not only necessary to consider selecting suitable cooling media, but also to plan the layout and configuration of the cooling system reasonably.
Equipment layout optimization: By reasonably arranging the equipment that needs cooling, ensure that each component can receive uniform and effective cooling. This includes considering the path of liquid flow and avoiding the occurrence of hot spots.
Cooling cycle optimization: including selecting appropriate pumping systems and coolers to ensure efficient operation of the cooling cycle. Adjust the flow rate and size of the cooler to achieve optimal heat exchange performance.
Immersive liquid cooling technology has been widely applied in fields such as data centers, high-performance computing, and telecommunications equipment. With the maturity of technology and the emergence of new materials, its application scope is expected to further expand. With the increasing demands for energy efficiency and environmental protection, low-power and high-efficiency cooling technologies will become the focus of research. Immersive liquid cooling technology is expected to be widely applied in the future due to its excellent energy efficiency ratio.
