Performance analysis of single-phase immersion cooling system of data center using FC-40 dielectric fluid

Journal Article · 20 May 2023 · International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2023.106843 · OSTI ID:1975331

Muneeshwaran, M.  ^[1]; Lin, Yueh-Cheng ^[2]; Wang, Chi-Chuan ^[2]

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1. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Taiwan); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
2. National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Taiwan)

Immersion cooling technologies have become an emerging cooling method for data center cooling. The studies available in open literature dealt with immersion cooling performance of data servers using mineral oil, EC-100, and Opticool 872552, but the studies focusing on the performance of FC-40 dielectric fluid is not available. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a single-phase liquid immersion cooling system using FC-40 dielectric fluid for a 1U (44.45 mm height) data server. The present study experimentally investigated the influence of different design and operating parameters, including the inlet/outlet port configuration (T and Z configurations), the bypass effect, the flowrate (1–3 LPM), the heating load (200–600 W), the inlet fluid temperature (15–35 °C), the presence of suction fan with various arrangements, and different heat sink bases (solid base, vapor chamber and heat pipe base). The results showed that the T-configuration could provide a 12.6% and 0.5–2.8 °C reduction in thermal resistance and case temperature compared to the Z-configuration, respectively. Additionally, the heat sink with heat pipe and vapor chamber base offered a minimum case temperature of 56.7 °C and 55.2 °C against the 60 °C experienced in the heat sink with flat plate base, respectively.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1975331
• Journal Information: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 145, Issue B; ISSN 0735-1933
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English