Heat Transfer Fluids: Water vs. Glycol
As the AI revolution rushes in, the demand for digital infrastructure continues to surge. Data centers are under increasing pressure to maintain reliable cooling systems, as higher-performing chips generate more and more heat. To meet these increasing thermal demands, data centers are adopting more advanced solutions, with liquid cooling emerging as the leading approach. A critical component of these systems is the heat transfer fluid — a coolant that efficiently absorbs and carries away heat. While water has traditionally been used for cooling, it has limitations. As a solution to these challenges, glycol-based fluids like DOWFROST™ LC 25 are becoming the preferred choice in high-performance, high-reliability environments.
Heat transfer fluids are increasingly utilized in the digital space due to their essential role in data center liquid cooling. Fundamentally, they regulate temperatures to prevent overheating and malfunction of the crucial chips and server racks. Choosing the correct fluid can be the difference between peak performance, costly downtime, and greater business success. The fluid you select for your cooling system directly affects your system’s stability, maintenance costs, and overall lifespan.
Water has often been the first choice when picking a heat transfer fluid because of its accessibility, perceived low cost, and superior thermal conductivity properties. While those features are attractive, especially upfront, water carries significant maintenance costs and requirements that often make it a poor choice in the long term. Without treatment, water will corrode piping and generate microbial growth, leading to fouling, clogs, and reduced system performance. On top of that, system contamination and fouling can equate to costly replacements of the IT equipment should the contaminants interact directly with the servers. Treated water solutions exist for direct-to-chip cooling and will continue to be an option, but it is vital to consider the associated risks and long-term maintenance costs.
Glycol-based direct-to-chip cooling solutions are designed to offer lower maintenance requirements and costs. Glycol provides a lower freezing point than water and includes inhibitor packages that prevent corrosion and biofouling within coolant loops. Not every glycol solution is equal; some still require frequent treatment to maintain their anti-growth chemical properties.
DOWFROST™ LC 25, is the leading glycol-based solution for single-phase direct-to-chip applications. It is manufactured using DOW PuraGuard™ Propylene Glycol USP/EP, the highest purity in the industry. This solution also contains a unique package of industrial-strength corrosion inhibitors, pH buffers, and stabilizers, allowing it to perform for years without requiring any fluid additives or general maintenance. Additionally, Dow and our Lentus team provide peace of mind through complimentary fluid analysis and further guidance on best practices for maintaining fluid integrity.
The rapid expansion of AI and high-performance computing has necessitated a need for enhanced digital infrastructure, with liquid cooling at the forefront of the movement. While water is often viewed as an inexpensive and practical solution for adopting liquid cooling in data centers, it is important to consider the long-term costs and risks of choosing water over a lower-maintenance and better performing glycol-based solution, such as DOWFROST™ LC 25.
