Fluid-as-a-service? No, it’s not what you think: the stalwart F1 is quietly innovating to bring its cooling expertise to data centers and beyond
- Castrol plans to launch a Fluid-as-a-Service model to eliminate waste and increase sustainability
- Immersion cooling has emerged as a critical component in the race to achieve AGI
- Castrol aims to play a key role in immersion cooling as integrated data centers in smart cities become mainstream
CC Wakefield & Co. Limited, founded in 1899, initially concentrated on the production of lubricants for trains and heavy machinery. Over time, the company expanded its expertise to develop specialized automotive and aircraft engine lubricants that incorporated castor oil – a vegetable oil derived from castor beans – to ensure performance under extreme temperature conditions. The product was called Castrol and the company was later renamed after his famous creation.
125 years later, Castrol remains at the forefront of innovation and applies its extensive expertise in fluid engineering to meet modern challenges.
One of the main areas of focus is the development of advanced dielectric fluids for immersion cooling systems. This approach involves immersing entire servers in non-conductive fluids that absorb heat and move it away from the components, eliminating the need for traditional fans.
Advanced thermal management
The Castrol ON Liquid Cooling Center of Excellence in Pangbourne, UK, serves as a state-of-the-art research and development center for liquid cooling technologies.
The facility develops customized solutions and rigorously tests fluid dynamics, material compatibility and server performance to address the challenges of traditional cooling methods.
On a recent visit Storage assessment had the opportunity to see Castrol’s advanced immersion tanks from suppliers such as GRC and Submer and was impressed by the adaptability and efficiency of the solutions.
Writer Jordan Ranous noted: “In one of the test cells, we observed GRC’s tank, which had a distinctive green glow due to the specific fluid Castrol used. The servers immersed in this tank underwent compatibility and performance testing. Castrol ensures that every component, from CPUs to cables, can function effectively in immersion cooling environments without degradation.”
Castrol’s ON range of single-phase dielectric fluids, including DC15 and DC20, aims to deliver advanced thermal management, durability and safety, whilst maintaining efficient performance at operating temperatures between 40°C and 50°C, with some systems capable of up to 70°C.
Chris Lockett, VP Electrification and Castrol Product Innovation at BP, Castrol’s parent company, said Storage assessment“Currently, about 40% of the power consumption in data centers goes to cooling. Immersion cooling can reduce that figure to less than 5%, significantly reducing power and water consumption.”
Data centers are responsible for an estimated 2-3% of global energy consumption, with current liquid cooling efforts primarily focused on direct-to-chip solutions. Immersion cooling has the potential to establish a new standard for thermal management and Castrol aims to lead this transformation, positioning itself as “a one-stop partner for the liquid cooling solutions of today and tomorrow.”