Castrol Explores Next-generation Data Center Immersion Temperature Control Fluids with RISE

Castrol, a division of BP, is working with RISE to produce data center immersion cooling fluids. Single-phase immersion conditioning systems like Submer's can use several cooling fluids. Some are expensive and polluting, while others are disliked. The alliance will address long-term issues related to next-generation computing and technologies. 

Castrol partners with immersion cooling specialist Submer on forthcoming fluids and has a UK test center for potential clients at its headquarters. Castrol will study thermal control and materials science at RISE's data center test bed in Sweden to develop their ON immersion cooling fluids. 

RISE, a separate Swedish state-owned research institute, has conducted innovative data center research, notably testing fuel cell backup and creating the Boden Type data center to test free cooling and "holistic cooling." RISE research challenges the conventional consensus that heated data centers are more efficient. 

Submer's single-phase immersion cooling uses less energy and recycles waste heat better than conventional data center air-conditioning systems. Castrol synthetic fluids and Cargill's vegetable oil-based alternative can do it. 

Two-phase immersion cooling boils and condenses fluids to dissipate heat quicker. The industry is facing pressure to transition out PFAS chemicals, which build up in humans and are known to be dangerous. 

"Immersion cooling is a fast-developing sector of innovation, spurred on by the global need to maximize the efficiency and energy usage of the world's most powerful data centers," said Rebecca Yates, BP Technology's vp of Advanced Lubricants Products.