Immersionjäähdytyksessä

Immersion cooling is a method of cooling electronic components by submerging them in a dielectric fluid. Unlike traditional air or liquid cooling that relies on heat sinks and fans, immersion cooling directly contacts the components with a non-conductive liquid that absorbs and dissipates heat.

There are two primary types of immersion cooling: single-phase and two-phase. In single-phase immersion cooling, the dielectric fluid remains in a liquid state throughout the cooling process. It circulates around the components, absorbs heat, and is then pumped through a heat exchanger to be cooled. This method is simpler and generally less expensive to implement.

Two-phase immersion cooling utilizes the phase change of the dielectric fluid. As the fluid absorbs heat from the components, it boils and turns into a vapor. This vapor then rises to the surface of the tank, where it condenses back into a liquid and returns to the submerged components. This process is highly efficient due to the latent heat of vaporization, allowing for very effective heat removal, especially for high-density computing equipment.

Immersion cooling offers several advantages, including significantly improved cooling efficiency, enabling higher performance and increased component density. It also reduces the need for fans, leading to quieter operation and lower energy consumption related to cooling. Furthermore, the dielectric fluid can help protect components from dust and humidity, potentially extending their lifespan. However, the initial setup costs can be higher, and specialized dielectric fluids are required, which may have environmental considerations.