What dielectric liquids can be used as coolants?

Question

I've seen some interesting videos of people putting their computers in containers with sunflower oil, where they continue to work normal.

Are there any other dielectric liquids that can be used to cool a technical device which is fully submerged in it, possibly without hazard for people, or in a sealed container?

I'm mostly after dielectric liquids that won't deteriorate too fast (in under a month) and lose cooling qualities or become conducting for whatever reason (liquid blooming, though not sure how).

There was a guy who wrote a blog on EEWeb about immersing his computer in mineral oil. — Olin Lathrop, Jan 05 '13 at 01:25
I would think that anything that qualifies as a dielectric *could* probably be used as a coolant, though how effective it is may vary. — Connor Wolf, Jan 05 '13 at 01:35
if you looking for complete RoHS coolants then silicon is the answer. But it's more likely a jelly not a liquid. — Standard Sandun, Jan 05 '13 at 03:01

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 05 '13 at 06:44

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The canonical immersion dielectric coolant is Florinert, famously used in the Cray2 and other supercomputers. It's not cheap, however, and many applications can use oil (i.e. just about every high power transformer out there). Oil immersion cooling does make for messy service, however.

answered Jan 05 '13 at 06:44

HikeOnPast

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But note the warning about Fluorinert - it eventually breaks down into a highly toxic substance! – Finbarr Aug 05 '22 at 07:27

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 09 '13 at 23:46

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Light clear mineral oil. See a system here. http://www.pugetsystems.com/aquarium-computer.php

answered Mar 09 '13 at 23:46

Marc

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What dielectric liquids can be used as coolants?

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