API Heat Transfer has launched its SIGMA M186 plate heat exchanger, designed to help data centers reduce cooling energy consumption through a validated temperature difference of as little as 0.5 ° C. As artificial intelligence drives higher computing density and thermal loads, cooling has become a significant component of data center operating costs. API says the SIGMA M186’ s low-temperature approach can expand the operating window for water-side free cooling, reducing reliance on energy-intensive mechanical refrigeration. According to the company’ s engineering calculations, the additional free-cooling capability could provide approximately 10 extra operating days annually in typical mid-latitude U. S. locations compared with conventional 2 ° C heat exchangers. Under specified operating conditions, API estimates daily electricity savings of approximately USD 35,000 for a 5MW facility, USD 140,000 for |
a 20MW hyperscale site and up to USD 700,000 for a 100MW AI computing campus. The SIGMA M186 features optimized flow distribution, corrugated plate geometry, and large-bore ports. API says these design elements can improve heat transfer, reduce required surface area, and lower installation and maintenance requirements, particularly in redundant cooling configurations. The heat exchanger supports various cooling architectures, including water-side free cooling, direct-to-chip liquid cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, warmwater cooling and immersion cooling loops. Manufactured in-house, the SIGMA M186 is supported by global certifications and fieldreplaceable plates and gaskets. API positions the product as a scalable solution designed to improve data center cooling efficiency and total cost of ownership as AI infrastructure expands. |
Binghe Thermal Management is highlighting immersion liquid cooling as an advanced approach to managing the growing thermal and safety challenges facing large-scale energy storage systems. As battery storage installations expand in capacity and power density, thermal runaway, temperature differences between cells, and accelerated battery degradation remain key concerns. Binghe’ s immersion cooling technology addresses these challenges by submerging battery modules directly in dielectric coolant, enabling direct heat transfer and more uniform temperature distribution. The company says the approach combines cooling and fire protection within a single system. The dielectric coolant is designed to isolate battery cells from atmospheric oxygen while quenching hot gases released during a cell failure, helping limit ignition and thermal runaway propagation. Improved temperature uniformity can also support longer battery life. By reducing temperature variations between cells, immersion cooling may promote more consistent |
aging and potentially improve the economics of grid-scale storage assets over their operating lifetimes. The sealed architecture provides additional protection against environmental conditions such as dust, humidity, salt spray and corrosive atmospheres. The compact design can also reduce the need for air ducts, large fans and extensive cold-plate plumbing, potentially lowering equipment footprints for space-constrained installations. Binghe said operational validation has demonstrated reductions in high-temperature cell temperatures, narrower module temperature differentials and improved system efficiency. The technology is positioned for applications including grid-scale storage facilities, data center backup systems and commercial and industrial energy storage. As energy storage deployment accelerates, immersion cooling could offer an integrated pathway toward improved safety, efficiency and long-term battery performance. |