Fluid breakdown detection systems and processes useful for liquid immersion cooling
A two-phase liquid immersion cooling system is described in which heat generating computer components cause a dielectric fluid in its liquid phase to vaporize. Advantageously, a pH indicator is employed to monitor the dielectric fluid.
1. A method comprising:
at least partially submerging a computer component in a thermally conductive, condensable dielectric fluid in a bath area of a vessel, wherein:
the computer component is mounted in a chassis comprising a backplane for receiving power from a rack; and
the computer component is configured to dissipate heat in the dielectric fluid when the computer component operates;
condensing, using a condenser, a gas phase of the dielectric fluid to a liquid phase of the dielectric fluid;
testing acidity of the dielectric fluid using a pH indicator that changes color when the dielectric fluid becomes acidic;
detecting the color change of the pH indicator using a color detection sensor or a camera; and
filtering the dielectric fluid with a filter wherein the filter includes the pH indicator.
2. The method of claim 1 which further comprises transmitting a signal to a management system from the color detection sensor or the camera upon a detection of a color change.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the management system triggers a remedial action upon the detection of a color change.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises activated carbon.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the filter comprises activated aluminum.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the camera is a pan-tilt-zoom camera.
7. The method of claim 1 which further comprises determining a pressure differential on the filter.
8. The method of claim 7 which further comprises notifying a user when the pressure differential exceeds a threshold pressure.
9. A system comprising: a tank configured to hold a thermally conductive, condensable dielectric fluid; a pressure controller to reduce or increase, an interior pressure of the tank; a computer component at least partially submerged within the dielectric fluid; a condenser for condensing a gas phase of the dielectric fluid, a robot configured to pick up the computer component; a filter, wherein the filter includes a pH indicator, and wherein the pH indicator changes color when the dielectric fluid becomes acidic; and a color detection sensor or a camera to detect a color change of the pH indicator.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the system comprises a color detection sensor to detect a color change of the pH indicator.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein the system comprises a camera to detect a color change of the pH indicator.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the camera is a pan-tilt-zoom camera.
13. The system of claim 9 wherein the filter comprises activated carbon.
14. The system of claim 9 wherein the filter comprises activated aluminum.
15. The system of claim 9 wherein the camera to detect the color change of the pH indicator is configured to view the filter.