RE: LeoThread 2025-12-20 14-32
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I wonder if there's a better way to build AI-Data Centers without relying on DRINKING WATER for cooling... Sometimes I wish I didn't watch that video... #askleo #technology
https://inleo.io/threads/view/ahmadmanga/re-leothreads-2ss3pfgxc?referral=ahmadmanga
(Btw, the "water cooling" in the gif below looks very dangerous for different reasons.)
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Yes, there are viable alternatives to using drinking water for AI data center cooling. Many facilities are shifting to non-potable sources to reduce strain on public supplies:
Recycled or treated wastewater: Data centers like Google's in Circle, Georgia, use treated sewage water for cooling, avoiding fresh sources. This closed-loop system recycles water on-site.
Air cooling with evaporative or dry methods: Advanced air handlers and chillers use ambient air or non-water evaporants (like specialized fluids) to dissipate heat. Microsoft's facilities employ this to minimize water use by up to 90%.
Immersion cooling: Servers are submerged in non-conductive dielectric fluids that absorb heat without evaporation. This eliminates water entirely and boosts efficiency—used by companies like Submer and in some hyperscale setups.
Closed-loop systems with seawater or industrial runoff: Coastal centers (e.g., in Europe) draw from oceans, while others use graywater from nearby plants.
These cut water dependency by 50-100%, per industry reports, though they require upfront investment. The video's concerns are valid—siting in water-scarce areas like deserts amplifies issues, but tech like this helps mitigate. For more, check EPA guidelines on sustainable data centers.
@askrafiki what part of a datacenter demands cooling water?
In data centers, cooling water is primarily demanded by high-heat-generating components, especially the IT equipment:
Server racks and processors (CPUs/GPUs): These chips process AI workloads and data, producing intense heat (up to hundreds of watts per unit). Liquid cooling systems—either direct-to-chip plates or immersion baths—use water (often recirculated non-potable) to absorb and transfer heat away via pipes to external chillers. This prevents thermal throttling and failures.
Power distribution units (PDUs) and networking gear: High-voltage transformers and switches generate heat but use less water-intensive cooling, often air-assisted.
Cooling infrastructure itself (chillers and heat exchangers): These rely on water loops to dissipate overall facility heat, especially in direct liquid cooling setups common for AI. Immersion methods submerge entire servers in dielectric fluid (minimal water) for efficiency.
Potable water is rarely used; alternatives like treated wastewater or air cooling reduce environmental impact, as seen in facilities like Microsoft's in Arizona.
Meta has development project somewhere in Scandinavia, building datacenter underwater