With data centers now facing greater tech demands than ever before, the temperatures inside modern facilities are at an all-time high too. Unfortunately, overheating will lead to a range of problems, including power outages, hardware damage, and data corruption. Therefore, finding an effective way to control the situation is a priority for all big data centers. TMGcore uses two-phase immersion cooling technologies to maintain the best conditions at all times.
An introduction to Immersion cooling
The importance of cooling is commonly overlooked, but you will soon understand its significance if you allow your servers and equipment to suffer from overheating.
Before looking at single-phase vs. two-phase immersion cooling, it’s essential to understand why liquid immersion cooling is the key choice for on-site data rooms and dedicated data centers in the modern age. Ultimately, keeping all equipment and servers at a suitable temperature will facilitate optimal performances, prevent outages or unexpected downtime caused by overheating, and help all parties stay protected against cyberattacks.
Whether choosing single-phase or two-phase immersion cooling, the fundamental features focus on liquid conducts heat better than air. When combined with the proximity of the liquid and the fact that there is no need for chillers, CRACs, or CRAHs, it is the most practical and effective cooling technique by far.
The days of using expensive and inefficient air conditioning and traditional cooling methods have to end for large-scale operations. Not only do they waste money, but they also deliver a far less reliable performance, which can lead to an array of vulnerabilities. For the best results, though, the right immersion cooling system must be selected.
Single-phase. Vs. Two-phase Immersion cooling
The terms single-phase and two-phase immersion cooling gain their respective names as a result of what happens to the cooling liquid throughout the immersion cooling cycle.
A single-phase immersion cooling system sees servers vertically installed in a coolant bath of circulating hydrocarbon dielectric fluid. This fluid shares many properties with mineral oil. The coolant comes into direct contact with the server components, thus enabling the heat to be transferred. It stays a liquid and is cooled in a cooling distribution CDU by the heat exchanger. The heated coolant exits the rack via the top before the coolant returns via the heat exchanger, while the CDU features a coolant pump.
The two-phase immersion cooling system is relatively similar but sees servers sealed in an engineered fluorocarbon-based liquid. Unlike single-phase, the fluid can boil even before reaching 50°C. The heat generated from the servers boils the surrounding fluid to change its state from liquid to gas. The resulting vapor is changed back to a liquid as water-cooled condenser coils found at the top of racks cool the gas. Once the vapor has become a (now-chilled) liquid, it reenters the cycle, where the server-generated heat will turn it back to a has once more.
Comparing single-phase and two-phase immersion cooling
While they share an underlying principle and function, the two types of immersion cooling produce noticeable differences across the realms of practicality and performance. IT teams, and data centers often adopt single-phase that seek a simplistic solution that requires a smaller initial outlay and potentially reduced maintenance. However, TMGcore OTTO ready two-phase immersion cooling servers solutions are more affordable than previous technologies in this field. In contrast, both immersion cooling techniques are far cheaper than traditional air cooling.
However, several key elements for IT teams and data centers to consider when analyzing which option is best.
Efficiency and operational expenses
Immersion cooling technologies easily outperform air cooling and other traditional techniques, translating to much lower operational costs. However, two-phase immersion cooling is even better than single-phase solutions. Given the growing demands for servers and data systems in modern business, choosing OTTO-ready two-phase immersion cooling offerings becomes the best choice for large-scale operations and data centers, which is why TMGcore utilizes them to pass on savings to the clients.
Cooling capacity and high-density
This is where two-phase immersion cooling stands out as the number one solution by far, delivering at least 20% greater capabilities. While single-phase can handle a lot of servers, the growing presence of advanced and power-advanced tech means that two-phase is ideal for companies that rely on these types of servers. Likewise, it will ensure that businesses are prepared for any evolution in their tech demands over the coming years. The increased cooling also means two-phase can handle spikes in server-generated heating.
Reliability
Both immersion cooling tools allow for incredible flexibility regarding where they can be used within data rooms and data centers. The simplicity of single-phase can be used as an argument that they are more reliable. Conversely, though, two-phase systems won’t succumb to high-density demands. It should be noted that two-phase immersion cooling can cause a larger carbon footprint, which is why partnering with a data center like TMGcore, which is committed to greener operations and using renewable energy is key.
The Verdict
While single-phase immersion cooling is still considered a good option for cooling high-performance computers and hot data center environments, dual-phase immersion cooling systems are the number one solution. They have perfectly matched the growing demands facing IT teams and data center managers alike, including the challenges emerging in the post-pandemic era. TMGcore’s OTTO-ready liquid immersion cooling ensures that all client servers, equipment, and data will perform with the reliability for continued success year after year.
To learn more about the capabilities of two-phase immersion cooling and how it can play a crucial role in supporting your business as the demand for high-performance technology grows, contact TMGcore today!
