A large user of high performance computing (HPC) for its research, the University of Leeds’ Iceotope system has been installed in a large thermofluid mechanics laboratory at the School of Mechanical Engineering, where it is used to perform complex thermal computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. It is also becoming an experimental apparatus for exploring the possibilities of re-using the waste heat from IT systems.

While most computer servers use air to cool their electronics, all of the components inside the Iceotope solution are immersed in 3M Novec engineered fluid. The power-consuming fans of traditional computing are replaced by a silent liquid encapsulation cooling process that relies on the natural convection of heat.

Awards judge John Rakowski, analyst and advisor, infrastructure and operations at Forrester Research, said, “The most impressive case study from my point of view here is the University of Leeds using the Iceotope solution. This seems like a great innovation when it comes to green IT and it’s great that the University of Leeds is undertaking this study here.

“Our increasing technology requirements are raising power utilization levels and, while many organizations talk about green IT, in practice they don’t do it because it’s costly and means too much change. Projects like this one at the University of Leeds have to be commended as they are investigating real innovative answers to this problem.”

Awards judge Clive Longbottom, founder of Quocirca, said, “The need to deal with heat dissipation in extreme density equipment means that standard forced air systems are struggling.

“Complete liquid immersion is far more effective, and could well be the future as densities continue to increase.”

For more information, visit www.iceotope.com.

Publication date: 12/9/2013

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