The Role of Fluid Management Solutions in Data Center Cooling
The demands for data center cooling infrastructure have hit an all-time high as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and high-density workloads boom. Liquid-based cooling systems are highly effective at managing the increasing thermal loads that put a strain on data centers, but these cooling systems need durable, corrosion-resistant fluid management systems to run efficiently.
In this article, we’ll explain the critical function that composite tanks, hoses, pipes, and other fluid handling equipment play in data center cooling.
How Data Center Cooling Works
Historically, data centers have turned to very large water tanks to meet the demands of their fluid cooling systems. With concerns around water usage growing, the data center industry has turned to water reuse as a more scalable, sustainable solution and, as such, most water management for data center cooling systems happens onsite.
Two-Level Cooling for Maximum Efficiency
Data centers are cooled at two levels: the processor (server) level, in which heat is removed from the data center’s services, and at the building level, in which heat is removed from the facility. While the cooling systems are separate, the server cooling feeds the building cooling through a heat exchanger.
To maintain efficiency and reduce the risk of equipment failure, data center cooling systems require high-purity water at both the processor and building level to prevent scaling, corrosion, and biological growth.
Data Center Cooling Methods At a Glance
Two of the biggest concerns over data center cooling are scalability and water usage: how can we continue to cool data centers efficiently as the industry booms? One key consideration is how data centers are cooled.
At the processor level, data centers can utilize air or liquid cooling. In order to cool effectively, air cooling systems use high levels of energy. Liquid cooling uses much less energy but a high amount of water, and water reuse is a must.
Building-level cooling systems use air cooling and evaporative cooling. Evaporative cooling utilizes a closed loop cooling system to move hot air from the servers to a radiator outside the facility. This method uses low energy but a high amount of water.
Both air-based fan systems and liquid-based cooling systems rely on fluid management equipment like hoses, piping, and tanks. The fluid management equipment works together to enable corrosion resistance, maintain high purity, and ensure reliability to prevent unplanned downtime and contamination issues.
Why Fluid Management Matters In Data Centers
As the energy demands and heat production of data centers across the United States increase, the industry requires efficient fluid management equipment that can keep up. When the efficient and consistent delivery of high-purity water or glycol can mean the difference between effective cooling and total system failure, the quality of your tank systems, piping, and hoses is critical.
At Andronaco Industries, we specialize in total system fluid management solutions for data center cooling that meets the growing needs of the industry. We manufacture water tanks, hoses, and complete piping systems that are highly corrosion resistant, lightweight, and durable while supporting purity requirements that keep your cooling system compliant. Let's take a closer look at key factors that reliable fluid management equipment impacts.
Liquid Quality Control
Maintaining liquid quality control is crucial for data center cooling systems in order to maintain cooling performance and equipment integrity. The materials and equipment used to transport cooling fluids and chemicals have a direct impact on liquid quality control. Fiberglass reinforced polymer (FRP) tanks and vessels paired with PTFE- and PFA-lined hoses and pipes eliminate corrosion risks.
High-Efficiency Cooling
Poor fluid management is one of the most common causes of cooling inefficiency in data centers. Line blockages and restricted flow can lead to slowdowns and even full equipment failure. By using high-performance lined composites and lined metallics like fluoropolymer hoses and accessories, cooling water and chemicals flow efficiently without restriction.
Equipment Longevity & Cost Efficiency
The corrosion, scaling, and abrasion common in data center cooling systems can greatly shorten the lifespan of pumps, valves, and heat exchangers. Fluid management equipment made from corrosion-resistant materials is one way to control cooling liquid contamination.
Reduced Downtime
Unplanned data center cooling system downtime can lead to a catastrophic domino effect: servers overheat and lead to outages that cost you money and threaten the integrity of your operation. Keeping cooling liquids pure and flowing efficiently is paramount when it comes to reducing operational disruptions and preventing equipment failure.
How High-Performance Fluid Management Products Benefit Data Centers
Corrosion protection, chemical resistance, and long-term durability are all essential factors in optimal data center cooling system performance. That’s why the materials chosen for fluid management system components are so important. Andronaco’s portfolio includes total system solutions for data center cooling in lined steel, lined composites, and composites, from FRP tanks/vessels to lined composite valves and accessories.
Take a Closer Look: Our Chemical Resistance Guide
FRP Tanks and Vessels
Data center water tanks made from fiberglass reinforced polymer, like Diamond Fiberglass tanks, are ideally suited to holding cooling water and provide long-term cost benefits over thermoplastic tanks. The high thermal expansion coefficient of thermoplastic data center water tanks causes expansion and contraction that can cause stress failures and greatly reduce equipment lifespan. FRP tanks don’t have this problem. An FRP tank will last longer while withstanding corrosive chemical exposure and shifts in temperature for the lowest lifecycle cost
Diamond Services also offers onsite installation and repairs for their FRP piping and tank systems, providing critical timely support that reduces data center cooling interruptions
Lined Hoses, Pipes, and Fittings
The hoses, piping, and fittings used in data centers perform the important function of transporting water and cooling liquids throughout the cooling system.
Andronaco supplies a range of suitable products, including:
Pureflex® Steel Hoses
PureFlex’s line of PTFE- and PFA-lined stainless steel braided hoses and fittings are ideal for data center cooling systems due to their high level of corrosion resistance and fluid handling capabilities. Both PTFE and PFA are highly chemical-resistant fluoropolymer plastics with high temperature and pressure capability.
Durcor® and ChemTite® Piping Systems
Like PureFlex’s lined steel hoses and fittings, Durcor® Engineered Structural Composite Piping (ESCP) is lined with seamless PTFE that offers complete protection against corrosion without the external metals, which will corrode. Durcor(R) is 75% lighter than lined steel and has a lower lifecycle cost than lined steel and thermoplastics while spanning the same area as steel. Additionally, it is self-insulating such that if the internal temperature of the water is 300F (159 °C), the external temperature of the pipe is 180F (82 °C), and this means higher efficiency with less need for insulation. Chemtite(R) Ethylene™ lined steel piping is available in seamless carbon steel and includes VentGuard™ protectors inside all of the permeation vent holes to protect the vent holes which slows corrosion and gives the piping system a longer life. Durcor(R) ESCP piping systems and Chemtite® Ethylene™ lined steel piping systems include PTFE-lined steel and PTFE-lined composite valves, expansion joints, piping, tank internals, and fittings that can handle aggressive water treatment chemicals.
Data Center Cooling Solutions Made in the U.S.A.
Andronaco Industries has been a leading manufacturer of high-performance polymer and composite-engineered fluid management products for more than 30 years, and we’re stepping up to the plate to meet the growing needs of the data center industry. Our flow management products offer superior corrosion resistance even in demanding environments like data center cooling systems.
We produce our hose products in Michigan and can supply BABAA certificates for most applications when needed. Our corrosion-resistant hoses, piping, and tank systems offer a fluid management solution for data center cooling that prioritizes uptime, energy efficiency, and server protection.
FAQs About Data Center Cooling
What are PTFE-lined stainless steel hoses commonly used for in data centers?
Typical applications of PTFE-lined stainless steel hoses in data centers include:
- Direct-to-chip liquid cooling
- Rear-door heat exchanger connections
- Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) supply and return lines
- Flexible connections to server racks
- High-reliability cooling loops
What are the drawbacks of thermoplastic tanks for data center cooling?
While thermoplastic tanks offer a lower upfront cost, they lack the durability that FRP tanks offer. As thermal expansion causes tanks to expand and contract, thermoplastic tanks show a higher rate of movement as the temperature changes. This can greatly reduce the lifespan of the tank, especially as data center capacities become more aggressive.
Are fluoropolymer-lined composites more durable than steel?
Lined stainless steel and fluoropolymer-lined composites both offer a high level of corrosion resistance that extends service life and enables high purity. However, Fluoropolymer-lined composites are significantly lighter weight and offer superior strength-to-weight ratios compared to steel.
Do you offer emergency services for Diamond fiberglass tanks?
Yes. Diamond Services offers field services for maintenance and major projects, as well as emergency services in the event that issues with your FRP tank cause service interruptions.
Read on. Stronger systems start here.
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