FROM PLANTS TO PROCESSORS
Cargill’s fluid allows for over 1,000 times more cooling capacity and up to 60% less energy usage than conventional air cooling. NatureCool takes the benefits of immersion cooling to another level by offering a high- performing plant-based solution, making the process even more sustainable. The fluid is CO2 neutral with a Global Warming Potential of zero, helping make applications adopting the fluid more sustainable. Plus, it has a 10% higher heat capacity than leading synthetic immersion cooling fluids, making it higher performing. It also provides a superior level of fire safety with a very high flash point of 325°C, and unlike synthetic fluids, it doesn’t self-ignite and flames out after removing the heat source.
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Plants to
Large data centers are turning to immersion cooling to offset massive energy demands
Understanding Immersion Cooling The immersion cooling process transfers heat from electronics to the coolant by submerging electronic components within computing hardware in dielectric fluid, which then circulates to a heat exchange chamber. The cooled fluid cycles back to the electronics in a continuous process that greatly reduces energy consumption. This process does not damage the electronics because the dielectric fluid and electronic components work together by design. In fact, immersion cooling typically prolongs the life of electronic components by keeping them cooler and free from airborne contaminants like dust. This method greatly reduces energy use, extends the life of the equipment, supports higher chip densities, and lowers the overall operating cost. A Renewable Alternative Cargill has been a leader in the bioindustrial space for many years. Given its deep agriculture and technology resources, it has refined how to bring plant-based solutions to meet a variety of manufacturing and construction needs – from dielectric fluids to renewable asphalt, adhesives, coatings, and plasticizers. Cargill’s technology, R&D capabilities, supply
chain access, and global scale enable the organization to bring these solutions to hundreds of industries worldwide. Immersion cooling is the latest application of its plant-based technology for customers looking to improve their operational processes and reduce their environmental impact. The Wayzata, Minnesota-based company’s newest bioindustrial product is NatureCool™ 2000. This offering is the first plant-based dielectric immersion cooling fluid on the market for use in data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and other advanced applications that allow for a more sustainable and efficient way to cool electronic systems. Made from more than 90% vegetable oil and combined with performance- enhancing additives,
Processors
Immersion Cooling is Taking Over the Red-Hot Data Mining Landscape Kristin Anderson | Global Business Development Manager, Cooling Solutions at Cargill
I mmersion cooling technology has existed for decades, but within the last several years, it has seen wider adoption in commercial applications. As chip density continues to rise and the amount of data generated continues to grow, computing and data center needs will likewise continue to increase globally.
Cargill’s NatureCool™ 2000 is the first plant-based immersion cooling fluid available
As a result of increasing computing power and the amount of data generated, data center power use has gone from several hundred kilowatts just ten years ago to several hundred megawatts today, an over 1,000 times increase. This growth means more servers and more heat generated. And while 35% of the total energy bill in an air-cooled data center is used just for cooling, the industry is seeking a more efficient solution as tighter renewable energy and greenhouse gas emission goals are established. Companies that operate large data centers, such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook, are examples of likely adopters of immersion cooling. Still, anyone who operates a data center, accesses data in the cloud or at an on-site data center, or mines cryptocurrency is a possible end user.
As data creation grows exponentially, there’s more demand for data and cryptocurrency mining centers using massive amounts of power. Data centers account for nearly 3% of the global electricity used and over 2% of total greenhouse gas emissions, as much as the carbon footprint generated by the entire airline industry. As these businesses look for ways to reduce their energy use and support corporate social responsibility goals, they turn to immersion cooling methods to replace conventional air-cooling systems. Beyond data centers, this technology is applicable for electric vehicle charging stations and other complex electronics.
Computer processing equipment submerged with immersion cooling fluid
34 | From Plants to Processors
From Plants to Processors | 35
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