IT in Manufacturing


Immersion cooling systems for data centres

June 2025 IT in Manufacturing

The demand for data centers in Africa is on the rise due to several key factors. These include government regulations aimed at enhancing local data security, an increasing need for cloud computing among small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), and a growing investment from local companies. As the data center industry expands across the continent, it is further propelled by the ongoing growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC). This development leads to higher rack densities, which in turn creates escalating cooling requirements.

While there are a number of data centre cooling technologies that are already tried and trusted, including air cooling, direct-to-chip cooling and immersion cooling, these could offer exciting opportunities for noteworthy improvements in data centre energy efficiency.

Immersion cooling – a cooling concept that submerges server equipment in a cooling fluid to moderate and control its temperature − is a highly efficient cooling method that could significantly reduce energy consumption when compared to traditional air-cooling systems. While still a relatively new technology in Africa, liquid and immersion cooling are expected to gain traction locally, offering a real potential to revolutionise data centre cooling on the continent.


Wojtek Piorko, managing director – Africa, Vertiv.

The advantages of thermally conductive dielectric fluids

Immersion cooling is a liquid cooling technology in which servers and other rack components are submerged in a thermally conductive dielectric liquid within a sealed tank. This liquid, selected for its excellent thermal transfer properties, absorbs heat from IT equipment for efficient HPC cooling. The benefits of immersion cooling include the following:

• Server immersion cooling helps to dissipate heat and keep components, like central processing units, performing optimally.

• Liquid and immersion cooling systems have proved to be more efficient than traditional air conditioning data centre cooling methods due to the increased thermal conductivity of most liquids compared to air.

• The dielectric liquid surrounding the server components is thermally conductive but critically not electrically conductive, ensuring that the fluid does not disrupt the function of the electrical components within the servers.

Immersion cooling absorbs 100% of the heat from the server components as they are fully submerged in the fluid, minimising the need for air cooling units and reducing heat transfer steps. However, room cooling units remain essential in a data centre to cool any equipment and heat loads that are not addressed by direct liquid cooling. Air quality and humidity are regulated using a filtration system to prevent dust build-up, facilitate clean air circulation and filter fresh air introduced, maintaining breathable conditions.

As an added benefit, liquid cooling systems also offer a quieter data centre environment. Unlike the noise prevalent in air-cooled centres due to extensive air recirculation, liquid cooling is predominantly silent with only the soft hum of pumps, significantly reducing overall noise levels.

Immersion cooling: the right solution for your data centre?

Choosing the most beneficial cooling solution for your data centre is critical, because data centres use significant amounts of energy during operation and generate large amounts of heat in turn. Overheating can damage server equipment, potentially leading to unwanted downtime, while overheated computer equipment can also create premature failures.

Immersion cooling can enhance data centre performance by efficiently managing high heat outputs. In HPC and AI workloads, immersion cooling systems can deliver cooling capacities exceeding 200 kW per tank (42 or 52 rack units). This technology can thus provide an effective solution for intense computational demands in a reduced footprint.

As Africa’s digital economy continues to expand the demand for efficient, scalable and reliable data centre cooling solutions will only increase. Liquid and immersion cooling technologies present a powerful complement to traditional cooling methods offering superior efficiency, reduced environmental impact and the ability to support high-density computing and AI applications.

For more information contact Jacqui Gradwell, Vertiv, +27 63 608 2339, [email protected], www.vertiv.com/africa/




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Fortifying the state in a time of cyber siege
IT in Manufacturing
In an era where borders are no longer physical, South Africa is being drawn into a new kind of conflict, one fought not with tanks and missiles, but with lines of code and silent intrusions. The digital battlefield is here, and cyber space has become the next frontier of conflict.

Read more...
Levelling up workplace safety - how gamification is changing the rules of training
IT in Manufacturing
Despite the best intentions, traditional safety training often falls short, with curricula either being too generic, too passive, or ultimately unmemorable. Enter gamification, a shift in training that is redefining how businesses train for safety and live by those principles.

Read more...
Reinventing data centre design: critical changes to meet surging
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
AI technologies are pushing the boundaries of what is possible which, in turn, is presenting data centres with a whole new set of challenges. Fortunately, several options are emerging which include optimising design and infrastructure for efficiency, cooling and management systems

Read more...
Watts next - can IT save the planet
IT in Manufacturing
The digital age’s insatiable demand for computing power has collided with an urgent and pressing need for sustainability. As data centres and AI workloads consume unprecedented energy, IT providers are pivotal in redefining how technology intersects with environmental stewardship.

Read more...
South Africa’s digital revolution:
IT in Manufacturing
South Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its technological evolution, poised to redefine itself as Africa’s leading digital powerhouse. Over the past two years, political leaders and media narratives have painted a picture of rapid digital transformation, underscoring the government’s ambition to position South Africa at the forefront of innovation.

Read more...
Smart manufacturing, APC and the
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Manufacturers are prioritising the integration of smart technologies into their daily operations to stay one step ahead of the competition. In South Africa, some experts believe the country has the potential to leapfrog its global peers through the creation of smart factories.

Read more...
Schneider Electric’s Five-Pillar Strategy takes the guesswork out of equip
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric’s Field Service Cycle, otherwise known as the Five-Pillar Strategy, is a structured approach to managing the lifecycle of equipment to prolong asset lifespan while reducing the total cost of ownership for customers.

Read more...
Enhancing operational safety and efficiency through advanced risk-based modelling
IT in Manufacturing
Now, more than ever, capital and operational cost can be reduced while enhancing operational safety and increasing production uptime by applying transformative methods such as Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling.

Read more...
Laying the groundwork in IT/OT
IT in Manufacturing
In the realm of manufacturing, the core mandate is to deliver value to stakeholders. For many in the industry, this is best achieved through a risk-averse approach. Only upon establishing a robust foundation should a business consider venturing into advanced optimisation or cutting-edge technological innovations such as industrial AI.

Read more...
Looking into the future of machine vision
Omron Electronics IT in Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant transformation in all areas of industrial automation, and machine vision is no exception. Omron’s AI-powered machine vision systems seamlessly integrate state-of-the-art algorithms, enabling machines to analyse and interpret visual data meticulously.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved