Azeotropic Fluoroether Compositions for Two-Phase Immersion Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-phase immersion cooling fluids used in data centers and computers have low thermal conductivity and latent heat of vaporization, are PFAS-based, posing health and ecological risks, and require complex setups with pumps and fans.
Innovation Solution
Azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions comprising 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether and components like perfluoroethyl isopropyl ketone, perfluorohexane, or perfluoro(N-methylmorpholine) are used for immersion cooling, providing higher thermal conductivity and latent heat of vaporization without PFAS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If perfluorocarbons and perfluoroketones are used as immersion cooling fluids, then dielectric properties and boiling point are improved, but thermal conductivity and latent heat of vaporization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines perfluorinated compounds with hydrofluoroether compounds to create a composite cooling fluid that achieves both high dielectric properties and high latent heat of vaporization. The perfluorinated component provides excellent dielectric strength and electrical insulation, while the hydrofluoroether component contributes higher latent heat of vaporization and thermal conductivity, resolving the contradiction between electrical safety and heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by selecting specific ratios of perfluorinated compounds (30-70% by weight) and hydrofluoroether compounds (30-70% by weight) to optimize both dielectric properties and thermal performance. By adjusting these compositional parameters, the fluid achieves a balance between electrical insulation requirements and heat removal efficiency.
2Reliability
If perfluorinated substances are used for cooling, then thermal stability and material compatibility are improved, but health and ecological safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful perfluorinated components from the cooling fluid by replacing a portion of them with hydrofluoroether compounds that have lower environmental persistence and reduced health concerns. This partial extraction maintains the necessary thermal stability while reducing the ecological footprint associated with PFAS substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition by limiting perfluorinated compound content to 30-70% by weight and incorporating 30-70% hydrofluoroether compounds, thereby modifying the environmental safety parameters while preserving adequate thermal stability for high-performance computing applications.
3Reliability
If closed-loop single phase cooling methods are used, then temperature control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs two-phase immersion cooling utilizing phase transitions (boiling and condensation) of the specialized fluid mixture to remove heat. The azeotropic and near-azeotropic compositions enable controlled phase change at operating temperatures, providing reliable cooling through the latent heat of vaporization without requiring the complex pump and heat exchanger systems needed for single-phase cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The immersion cooling system allows the cooling fluid to directly contact and cool the electronic components through self-service mechanisms. The fluid naturally circulates through phase change, with vapor rising to condense on cooler surfaces and returning to the liquid phase, eliminating the need for external pumps and complex control systems while maintaining reliable temperature control.
4Productivity
If higher clock rates are implemented in processors, then computational performance is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite fluid formulation combining perfluorinated compounds and hydrofluoroether compounds to achieve superior heat transfer properties. The hydrofluoroether component provides enhanced thermal conductivity and latent heat of vaporization, enabling the system to handle the increased heat generation from high-clock-rate processors while maintaining surface temperatures within design limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the fluid composition parameters to maximize heat removal capacity, with the specialized azeotropic and near-azeotropic mixtures providing enhanced thermal performance that can dissipate the higher heat loads generated by processors operating at elevated clock rates for improved computational performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These compositions enable efficient heat transfer and operational efficiency in high-performance computing environments, maintaining safe operating temperatures and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
Two-phase immersion cooling relies on the boiling of an immersion coolant to remove heat from the device it is in direct contact with, and thus maintains the operating temperature at the boiling point of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
Two-phase immersion cooling relies on the boiling of an immersion coolant to remove heat
Implementation Method 3
transferring heat from the electrical component using the working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions including 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ether. The present disclosure also provides for methods of use for the azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions. The azeotropic and azeotrope-like compositions are particularly useful in cooling applications.