How to Prepare Your Data Center for Liquid Cooling

Aug. 30, 2023
Read a short case study that highlights one data center's successful use of direct-on-chip cooling and learn how to prepare your data center for the future.

This concludes our article series on the latest innovations in liquid cooling technology. 

“Data center liquid cooling will go from being almost exclusively in the HPC realm to becoming a standard requirement for systems,” wrote Equinix Field Chief Technology Officer My Truong in a post on the company’s blog.

Direct liquid cooling (DLC) has been a niche market until now, but “most data center operators predict a substantial increase in use within five years, particularly for cold plate systems,” according to Uptime Institute. Its 2022 survey found that 18% of operators expect to use DLC in at least 50% of their racks within three to five years and nearly 80% are either using DLC or will consider using it in the future. Two-thirds cited cost-saving benefits from reduced energy consumption and more than half said they believe DLC provides them with better environmental sustainability.

The greatest concerns operators identified were increased cost and the risk of coolant leaks. Direct- on-chip, dielectric two-phase liquid cooling effectively addresses both concerns. Its total cost of ownership is superior to other techniques and the closed-loop design of the system minimizes the risk of coolant leaks. Furthermore, it is a low-pressure system that utilizes leak-proof fittings; in the unlikely event of a leak, the dielectric simply dissipates harmlessly into the air.

An integrated solution

Although direct-on-chip systems can be retrofitted to existing racks, the simplest and most reliable solution is to use a rack that comes preconfigured with the cooling components included. Operators who aren’t ready to make the full jump to dielectric two-phase liquid cooling should choose a cabinet that provides an upgrade path to maximize their current infrastructure through advanced airflow management solutions while offering a transition path to liquid cooling when needed.

For example, Chatsworth Products’ ZetaFrame® Cabinet System comes with an industry-leading 4,000 lb. dynamic load rating and can easily support a loaded rack with the integrated liquid cooling system when used in conjunction with a shock pallet. Equipped with in-rack eConnect® power distribution units (PDUs), Chatsworth’s cabinets provide a complete solution to power and manage high-density loads, close to the device. The cabinet design and size allow liquid cooling to be added while preserving the ability to meet cable management standards.

Remote management capability provides continual automated monitoring with the ability to set thresholds and get notifications when they are exceeded. Power consumption is monitored at the output level of the rack power distribution unit and outlet-level monitoring allows under- or over- utilized servers to be identified. Electronic access controls and monitoring capabilities with Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software round out the features of this integrated solution.

Download the full reportThe Data Center Innovation Will Change the Way You Think About Liquid Cooling, featuring Chatsworth Products and Zutacore, for exclusive content on how to prepare for the future.

About the Author

Paul Gillin

Paul Gillin is a speaker, writer and technology journalist who has written five books and more than 400 articles on the topic of social media and digital marketing. A technology journalist for 25 years, he has served as Enterprise Editor of the tech news site SiliconAngle since 2014. He was founding editor-in-chief of B2B technology publisher TechTarget, and served as editor-in-chief and executive editor of the technology weekly Computerworld.

Sponsored Recommendations

NECA Manual of Labor Rates Chart

See how Champion Fiberglass compares to PVC, GRC and PVC-coated steel in installation.

Electrical Conduit Cost Savings: A Must-Have Guide for Engineers & Contractors

To help identify cost savings that don’t cut corners on quality, Champion Fiberglass developed a free resource for engineers and contractors.

Conduit Sweeps and Elbows for Data Centers and Utilities

Data Centers and Utilities projects require a large number of electrical conduit sweeps and elbows. Learn why Champion Fiberglass is the best supplier for these projects.

Prefabricated Conduit Duct Banks Enable Smooth and Safe Electrical Installation for a Data Center

Prefabricated conduit duct banks encourage a smooth, safe electrical conduit installation for a data center.

Image courtesy of Submer
Image courtesy of Submer

The Future of Data Center Cooling: Addressing Jitter and Thermal Inconsistencies

Ryan Howard, Solution Engineer at Submer, explores the impact of jitter and thermal inconsistencies on various sectors and how innovative cooling solutions can improve efficiency...

White Papers

Dcf Venyu Wp Cover 2022 07 14 8 20 45 233x300

A Data Center Strategy for Future Proofing Business

July 18, 2022
In this white paper, Venyu outlines four common areas of concern for businesses and explains how data center innovations will future-proof business information and infrastructure...