The global data centre industry is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing use of technologies such as 5G communications, AI, and crypto mining, which demands higher performance from processors and servers.

Traditional air-cooling systems, reliant on space, energy, and water, are no longer sustainable for hyperscale and colocation data centres, says FUCHS Lubricants South Africa technical application engineer Jarryd Tate. noting that immersion cooling is the most appropriate solution for managing the escalating cooling demands of data centres.

Immersion cooling is a method whereby hardware components are submerged in specially-engineered fluids. The technology offers lower energy consumption, reduced water usage, and less maintenance, leading to a decrease in operating expenses. In addition, the systems can improve uptime ratings, processor performance, server density, and overall power-usage effectiveness.

Immersion cooling is also said to offer environmental benefits because it helps lower a facility’s carbon footprint and energy usage while enabling waste heat capture and reuse. The design of the system allows  facilities to eliminate the need for chillers, air handlers, and rack fans while also reducing regional climate, dust, and air pollution.

Despite its advantages, some operators hesitate to adopt immersion cooling owing to concerns about handling large volumes of fluids and disposal requirements. FUCHS says it can address these challenges with its modular services for immersion coolant management. The company provides solutions covering the full lifecycle of immersion coolants, from initial implementation to ongoing maintenance.

FUCHS says its RENOLIN fluids for electronic component cooling, or FECC, product line, formulated with synthetic base oils and powerful additives, is designed to deliver superior cooling performance, reliable dielectric properties, and high breakdown voltage, with zero global warming and ozone depletion potential. The range is designed to offer extended lifespans thanks to its thermal and oxidation stability, and is compatible with common electronic components.

The company also provides a range of products designed specifically for data centres and crypto-mining facilities, including single-phase immersion coolants, direct liquid cooling fluids, electronics and systems cleaners, electrical connector greases, and refraction index matching optical gels.