1. How Does Liquid Cooling Work?
Unlike air cooling, which chills entire rooms, liquid cooling can be installed on specific devices that need it most. It requires a combined knowledge of cooling and IT equipment, so it’s not as common as air cooling.
2. When Is Liquid Cooling Best?
Liquid cooling has gained traction because traditional cooling doesn’t provide enough support for high-performance computing. These methods are more efficient in rejecting the heat from IT equipment compared with air cooling systems.
RELATED: Learn four ways to sustainably cool K–12 data centers.
3. What Kind of Technology Is Involved?
In immersion cooling, IT equipment is fully submerged in a liquid dielectric with no conductivity. The fluid absorbs the heat emitted by the device, turns it into vapor and condenses it to cool down the device.
4. Are There Other Technologies To Consider?
With direct-to-chip liquid cooling, flexible tubes bring nonflammable dielectric fluid directly to the chip or component that’s generating the most heat. The fluid turns into vapor, siphoning heat away from the equipment through the same tube.
5. How Much Does Liquid Cooling Cost?
Unless you’re installing a data center in a new building, it can be expensive. Plumbing must be added to server racks, along with other liquid cooling–specific construction.
