As data center cooling experts evaluate the efficacy of single phase, two phase and alternative cooling solutions, choosing the correct gaskets and seals in data center cooling applications has never been more important.
In most all cases finding the right gasket depends on the media being conveyed and the environment of the application. With several decades of experience fabricating gaskets and seals for cooling systems, Gasket Supply and Pioneer Rubber are uniquely equipped to fulfill this growing need for data center gaskets.
Example Case Studies:
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A large mechanical contractor based in Georgia was trying to choose the gasket material for large full-face gaskets in a system that would pipe glycol water in a 1,000,000 sq ft+ data center. Gasket Supply worked with various contractors to choose an aramid fiber with EPDM binder solution. This allowed the contractor to have confidence their piping system seals could maintain chemical compatibility with the glycol water cooling media and not require regular replacement, like rubber EPDM gaskets.
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In an application using deionized water as part of the cooling solution the question became, “What sealing material could provide chemical compatibility to the conveyance system while handling excessive chloride content in the deionized water. It became clear that the best option would be a cut EPDM rubber seal that would both hold up to the cooling liquid and appropriately account for the chloride considerations. While the EPDM seal would require regular maintenance, the application and environment made the material choice the optimal selection for the engineering, contracting and maintenance team.
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A glycol water application using several standard-length hose assemblies needed to understand the options for fitting configurations. Pioneer Rubber worked with the mechanical contractor team to better understand the hose’s liquid conveyance requirements. Through this top-down approach of evaluating the application’s granular requirements of connection to the cooling source and distribution at the server level, an EPDM hose of two different lengths and tri-clamp fittings was chosen. This assembly achieved all the requirements of the cooling design while providing significant cost saving compared to piping the connection, or altering the hose assemblies fitting configurations.
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While considering different cooling solutions an engineering and mechanical contracting team needed a framework to evaluate the benefits of Viton, PTFE, expanded PTFE or specialty sealing solutions compared to standard sealing material traditionally used in cooling systems. By starting with the stages of media in a cooling application, evaluating the exact chemical compounds being conveyed along with the pressure and temperature a framework could be used to understand when a cooling application required a specialty material that would carry a higher cost and when a more traditional option, like EPDM, would be appropriate.
Talk to one of our specialists today to gain insight into which gasket will work best for your data center cooling application. Whether the application calls for full face flange gaskets used to pipe in large amounts of glycol water, EPDM seals to handle cooling media at various distribution points, or specialty custom cut gaskets requiring Viton, PTFE and alternate sealing material, let us help you optimize the cooling application and cost by choosing the correct gasket or seal.