WP#73 - Fluid Connector Best Practices for Liquid-Cooled Data Centers

Overview

The paper is a Green Grid document dated 11 May 2017, edited by David Vranish (CPC), Chris Chapman and Tahir Cader (HPE). Other authors include Pat McGinn, Nicolas Monnier and Andy Wasielewski. The record rests only on the public landing page of the library; the full text requires a free account sign-in and is governed by the publisher's terms of use. The document explains that fluid connectors allow fluid to be connected, disconnected and rerouted in clusters.

These elements are the interface points used constantly in installing and servicing liquid-cooled equipment, so their selection and use directly affect the operability and reliability of the facility. Topics include flow rates and particle-size control for long-life reliability. Shipping requirements are also covered, along with defining an acceptable drip level on disconnect. These show that connectors are not merely mechanical parts but components that depend on the cleanliness and filtration regime of the system.

The OCP ACF connection guidance is named as related. The paper dates from 2017, so newer connector technologies and standards should be assessed separately. Connector selection in liquid-cooled systems is a recurring decision point across installation, service and expansion, so the paper offers a reference frame for operations and field teams as much as for designers, and detailed values still need to be verified together with manufacturer data.

Key points

1. The paper is dated 11 May 2017, edited by David Vranish (CPC), Chris Chapman and Tahir Cader (HPE).
2. Fluid connectors allow fluid to be connected, disconnected and rerouted in clusters.
3. Flow rates and particle-size control are considered for long-life reliability.
4. Shipping requirements are covered.
5. Defining an acceptable disconnect drip level is covered.
6. OCP ACF connection guidance is named as related.
7. The record rests only on the public abstract page and contains no numeric values.

Using it in design

• Add catalog fields for quick disconnects: Cv or pressure drop at flow, drip volume per disconnect and filtration (micron) requirement.
• Check the TCS filter rating against the connector requirement.
• Define an acceptable drip level for disconnects in maintenance procedures and document it.
• Add cleanliness requirements to the specification for shipping and commissioning, to prevent particle contamination.

Who should read it

Mechanical engineers and field teams designing, installing and servicing liquid-cooled systems.

Related standards

• OCP ACF connection guidance

Publication details

Authors

David Vranish; Chris Chapman; Tahir Cader; Pat McGinn; Nicolas Monnier; Andy Wasielewski

Publisher

The Green Grid

Year

2017

Document number

WP 73

Document language

English

Source type

Industry body

Access

Citation only

Licence

Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation