Optimizing Immersion Fluids: Insights into Lifecycle Management, Cleaning and Longevity

Author: Peter Cooper, PhD, VP Fluids & Chemistry, Submer; Kris Fletcher, PhD, Data Center Liquid Cooling OEM Liaison USA, Castrol; Roma Suris, Sabma Collection: 2025-OCP-EMEA-Summit-Immersion-Cooling

Summary

This session covers the OCP Immersion Fluids Committee's active workstreams and their 2025 roadmap, presented at the OCP EMEA Summit 2025 in Dublin. Peter Cooper (Submer) chairs the session in place of co-chair Kris Fletcher (Castrol, referred to as "Chris Fletcher" in the transcript). The Fluids Committee has a 180+ member mailing list and three structural focus areas: definitions/use/management of fluids in immersion systems; selection, testing, and standardization of fluids; and ensuring fluid efficiency, sustainability, and standards alignment.

The session highlights four active workstreams: (1) Fluid Cleaning Guidelines — a new workstream (Q4 2024 start) drafting a white paper covering cleaning methodologies, solvents, equipment specifications, and HSE compliance, targeting community release by early 2026; (2) Fluid Lifecycle Management — led by Kris Fletcher (Castrol) and Brandon Marshall (Chemos), with a white paper on end-of-life fluid options for two-phase fluorinated fluids and hydrocarbons (closed-loop recycling, open-loop recycling, destruction) expected to be submitted for review by end of Q2 2025; (3) Oxidation Methodology — the oldest and most mature workstream, with its white paper 85% complete and an active oxidation benchmarking plan evaluating IEC 61125, ASTM D2272 (RPVOT), and ASTM D7873 (Dry TOST Method); and (4) Safe Handling Guidelines — the document has been submitted for community review.

The fluids roadmap (Image 6, 05:10) spans 2025–2026 across four workstream tracks: Oxidation Methodology submitting a whitepaper in H1 2025 with community review in H2 2025; Fluid Lifecycle Management submitting an end-of-life whitepaper in H1 2025 with in-service fluid monitoring and LCA focus groups through H2 2025 and H1 2026; Fluid Cleaning Guidelines drafting whitepaper through Q2 2025 and community review through Q4 2025–Q1 2026; Safe Handling Guidelines publication and Fluid Specification Revision both running through H2 2025 and beyond.