- Castrol plans to launch fluid-as-a-service model to eliminate waste and increase sustainability
- Immersion cooling has become an essential component in the race to achieve AGI
- Castrol wants to play key role in immersion cooling as integrated smart city data centers become popular
Founded in 1899, CC Wakefield & Co. Limited initially focused on the production of lubricants for trains and heavy machinery. Over time, the company expanded its expertise to develop specialized lubricants for automobiles and aircraft engines, incorporating castor oil (a vegetable oil derived from castor beans) to ensure performance in extreme temperature conditions. The product was called Castrol and the company was later renamed in honor of its famous creation.
125 years later, Castrol remains at the forefront of innovation, applying its extensive fluid engineering expertise to address modern challenges.
One of its key areas of focus is the development of advanced dielectric fluids for immersion cooling systems. This approach involves entire servers being immersed in non-conductive fluids that absorb and transfer heat from components, eliminating the need for traditional fans.
Advanced thermal management
The Castrol ON Liquid Cooling Center of Excellence in Pangbourne, United Kingdom, serves as a state-of-the-art research and development center for liquid cooling technologies.
The facility develops custom solutions and rigorously tests fluid dynamics, material compatibility and server performance to address the challenges of traditional cooling methods.
On a recent visit, Storage Review I had the opportunity to see Castrol’s state-of-the-art dip 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 looked at the GRC tank, which had a striking green glow due to the specific fluid Castrol was using. The servers submerged in this tank were undergoing compatibility and performance testing. Castrol ensures that all components, from CPUs to cables, can operate effectively in immersion cooling environments without degradation.”
Castrol’s ON range of single-phase dielectric fluids, including DC15 and DC20, aim to offer advanced thermal management, durability and safety while maintaining efficient performance at operating temperatures between 40°C and 50°C, with some systems capable handle up to 70°C.
Chris Lockett, vice president of Castrol Product Electrification and Innovation at BP, Castrol’s parent company, said Storage Review“Right now, about 40% of energy consumption in data centers is for cooling. “Immersion cooling can reduce that figure to less than 5%, significantly reducing energy and water use.”
Data centers account for approximately 2% to 3% of global energy consumption, and current liquid cooling efforts are primarily focused on direct-to-chip solutions. Immersion cooling has the potential to set a new standard for thermal management and Castrol wants to lead this transformation, positioning itself as “a comprehensive partner for the liquid cooling solutions of today and tomorrow.”
