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Supercomputing Cluster Immersed In Oil Yields Extreme Efficiency

Posted by samzenpus on from the staying-cool dept.

1sockchuck writes: A new supercomputing cluster immersed in tanks of dielectric fluid has posted extreme efficiency ratings. The Vienna Scientific Cluster 3 combines several efficiency techniques to create a system that is stingy in its use of power, cooling and water. VSC3 recorded a PUE (Power Usage Efficiency) of 1.02, putting it in the realm of data centers run by Google and Facebook. The system avoids the use of chillers and air handlers, and doesn't require any water to cool the fluid in the cooling tanks. Limiting use of water is a growing priority for data center operators, as cooling towers can use large volumes of water resources. The VSC3 system packs 600 teraflops of computing power into 1,000 square feet of floor space.

3 of 67 comments (clear)

  1. Dedicated, highly trained staff by TWX · · Score: 3, Informative

    This is fine when the application is high-end and the organization can justify employing expensive, highly-trained staff to maintain the equipment, but for the average business, even one with a fairly extensive datacenter, there is no practical way to do this. Too many staff do double-duty (ie, take care of software applications and occasionally do hardware maintenance) or are too reliant on software/systems vendors that are themselves locked in to hardware incompatible with such an environment for this to be practical. It's cool, but it's definitely a niche within a niche.

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  2. Re:Would not the oil start dissolving the parts? by joaommp · · Score: 3, Informative

    It's an inert type of oil developed by 3M for exactly this purpose.

    --
    Onda Technology Institute
  3. Safety Hazard... by HockeyPuck · · Score: 3, Informative

    I worked with a company that did a proof of concept for these "oil bath systems" It was just like in the photo, a rack on its' back immersed in a tank of oil.

    From a cooling standpoint, it was great, from a parts replacement, it's a disaster waiting to happen. It's not how hard it is to replace the part. We installed a small crane above the rack to make it easier to lift the server up out of the bath, so we could lay it down and replace mem/cards/SSD etc. A 1RU server can weigh anywhere between 30-40lbs, and a 2RU server can weigh almost 70lbs.

    We had to surround the bath will a perforated rubber mat, as oil+typical datacenter floor is a huge slip hazard.

    You've also got to install pumps and a heat-exchanger. Reminds me of the old water cooled mainframes. Just with way more plumbing.