| Title |
Evaluating the Effects of Coolant Supply Temperature on Liquid Cooling System Design and Efficiency in Data Centers |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2025.41.9.311 |
| Keywords |
Data Center; Liquid Cooling System; Technology Cooling System; Coolant Supply Temperature; Power Usage Effectiveness |
| Abstract |
With the increasing demand for high-density, high-power IT equipment, data center cooling systems must provide both high energy efficiency and effective thermal management. In this context, liquid cooling methods, particularly cold plate and immersion cooling, are drawing attention due to their excellent heat transfer capabilities and suitability for higher coolant supply temperatures. This study presents a matrix-based analysis of 40 system configurations, assessing the energy performance of liquid cooling systems based on coolant supply temperature (S-class), coolant characteristics, rated power of pumps and cooling equipment, and overall system design. Findings indicate that the S-class standard, originally developed for cold plate cooling, can also be applied to immersion cooling systems. Several dielectric fluids maintained stable thermal performance at supply temperatures between 40°C and 50°C. As S-class levels rise, conventional chillers are gradually replaced by cooling towers or dry coolers, cutting the rated power of the FWS/CWS system by up to 75 percent. Pump energy consumption is largely affected by the coolant’s density and thermal properties. Low-viscosity, high-conductivity fluids significantly reduce energy use. Under a 30 MW IT load, systems with higher S-class configurations achieved a design cooling PUE below 1.04. These results underscore the importance of temperature set-points, coolant selection, and system architecture in improving cooling efficiency from the initial planning phase. |