Flawless Execution: Breaking Down Liquid and Immersion Cooling

Data centers use a lot of power. Current microchips use about 200 watts and that power translates into thermal heat. Data centers are highly controlled environments. Heat and humidity cause damage and failures. On this episode of Flawless Execution: Delivering Innovation, the conversation focuses on the advantages of liquid cooling technology.

“Liquid cooling, first and foremost, it’s a lot more energy efficient than traditional air cooling,” Austin Hipes, UNICOM Engineering Chief Technologist and VP of Engineering said. “Data centers trying to consume less power or, more importantly, make sure the power they’re consuming goes to work, rather than air conditioning.”

If an average center uses 1,500 watts of power, about one-third of that is designated for traditional air cooling. However, liquid cooling offers efficient alternatives. “With immersion, you can use less than 10% of your energy to do things like cooling,” said Hipes.

Liquid cooling includes a handful of options. There is immersion cooling, which has single-phase and two-phase cooling. In a single phase, the liquid doesn’t change forms. It stays in its liquid state.

“You essentially have a big tank, with special engineered fluids, servers and other computing equipment go into those tanks and instead of being cooled by fans pushing air through, pumps push the fluid through. It’s a much more efficient conductor of the heat than air,” Hipes said.

Another method uses two-phase cooling. In this process, the state of the engineered liquid changes. “It goes from a liquid to a boiling action, and that boiling is actually the heat-removing process,” explained Hipes.

It’s then condensed back into liquid, preserved, and circulated back into the tank.

Cooling technology is changing rapidly as chips develop and use more power. Efficient cooling techniques allow for a greater density of technology. A practical cooling system means more high-performance data computing can be set up in smaller or nontraditional spaces. Retrofitting direct cooling systems is an option for more established data centers.

Listen to the full episode now to learn more! Find Flawless Execution: Delivering Execution on Apple Podcasts and Spotify today.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Latest

Anamorphic
Adapting the SLR Magic of Anamorphic Filmmaking to the Panasonic Lumix Ecosystem Creates Endless Filmmaking Possibilities
March 24, 2023

The Panasonic Lumix System revolutionized independent filmmaking through the convergence of a handheld DSLR style body, larger than video camera sensors for a narrow depth of field, and the versatility and utility of interchangeable lenses.  By being mirrorless and with the use of adapters, a broad gamut of vintage and modern lenses became available for […]

Read More
gap between the real world and the metaverse
AV is Bridging the Gap Between the Real World and the Metaverse at Industry Conferences
March 24, 2023

How is AV helping bridge the gap between the real world and the metaverse? Some of the best examples can be seen in the midst of large-scale trade shows and industry events. For example, ETHDenver, an annual blockchain conference held in Denver, Colorado, hosts more than 20,000 technologists every year to innovate and develop […]

Read More
authenticity
Why Authentic Content Should Be at the Forefront of Your Company’s Marketing Strategy
March 24, 2023

Media today is the most powerful it’s ever been, and with the introduction of new channels to consume it daily, the consumer can become easily overwhelmed with a plethora of choices. How does your channel stand out? Authentic media might be the clickbait. With the likes of TikTok, YouTube, and streaming services like Spotify, […]

Read More