As data centres continue to evolve to support growing computing demands, the importance of efficient and reliable cooling infrastructure has never been greater.
With increasing rack densities and the growing adoption of liquid cooling systems and technologies, engineers and facilities managers need to carefully consider every component within their cooling systems, including the valves used to isolate, regulate and manage coolant flow.
Selecting the right valve for a data centre cooling application involves more than simply matching the pipe diameter. Pressure ratings, operating temperatures, materials, connection types, maintenance requirements and the function of the valve all influence its suitability.
At Ultravalve, we supply a specialist range of stainless steel ball valves, butterfly valves, control valves and interlock valve solutions for consideration within data centre liquid cooling systems, chilled water distribution and associated fluid handling applications.
In this guide, we explore the different valve technologies available and the key factors to consider when specifying valves for modern data centre cooling infrastructure.
Cooling systems are essential to maintaining suitable operating conditions for servers, networking equipment and other critical IT infrastructure.
Whether a facility uses conventional chilled water systems, cooling distribution units (CDUs) or direct-to-chip liquid cooling, controlling coolant flow is an important part of the overall system design.
Valves perform several functions within these systems:
Not every valve is suitable for every application. Understanding the individual function and operating conditions is essential when selecting the correct solution.
Several types of data centre cooling valves can be considered depending on whether the application requires isolation, flow control, compact installation or specialist connection arrangements.
Ultravalve's data centre valve portfolio includes the following solutions.
Butterfly valves are commonly considered for chilled water distribution and cooling water systems where efficient isolation and compact installation are important.
Their quarter-turn operating mechanism makes them suitable for applications requiring straightforward opening and closing.
Ultravalve supplies centreline soft-seated butterfly valves manufactured using A182-F304 stainless steel with EPDM sealing materials.
Key specifications include:
These valves can be considered for suitable liquid cooling and distribution applications where their pressure, temperature and connection specifications match the system requirements.
For engineers designing data centre cooling pipework, butterfly valves offer an alternative to conventional ball valves, particularly where installation dimensions and pipework configuration are important considerations.
When working with data centre liquid cooling systems, preventing unintended fluid release during connection and disconnection is an important consideration.
Ultravalve's dual-interlock ball valves incorporate a mechanical interlocking arrangement designed to prevent the individual valve sections from being operated independently.
The mechanism requires both ends to be in the closed position before the connection can be opened, helping to reduce the risk of fluid leakage during disconnection.
Key specifications include:
This makes dual-interlock valves particularly relevant for engineers evaluating connection and isolation arrangements in liquid cooling infrastructure.
Their suitability should be assessed alongside the system's maintenance procedures, coolant properties and connection requirements.
While isolation valves are designed primarily to open or close a flow path, some cooling applications require modulating coolant flow control.
V-port control ball valves feature a specially shaped opening within the ball, allowing flow to be regulated as the valve rotates.
Unlike a conventional on/off ball valve, the V-port design provides a more progressive opening characteristic, making it a potential option for modulating flow applications.
Ultravalve supplies V-port control ball valves with the following specifications:
For data centre cooling applications where the coolant flow rate needs to be adjusted, V-port valves may be considered as part of the control strategy.
Engineers should assess the required flow coefficient, pressure drop, control characteristics and actuator requirements before specifying a valve for modulation.
Coolant cleanliness is an important consideration in liquid cooling circuits, particularly where contamination could affect narrow flow passages or sensitive components.
Ultravalve's stainless steel sanitary ball valves provide a tri-clamp connection option and are available with specified internal surface finish characteristics.
Key specifications include:
These valves can be considered for cooling circuits where stainless steel construction, surface finish and compatible clamp connections are part of the system specification.
It is important to remember that valve surface finish alone does not establish overall system cleanliness. Filtration, flushing, coolant chemistry and installation practices must also be considered.
Space can be limited within cooling distribution assemblies, including cooling distribution units (CDUs), equipment enclosures and ancillary pipework.
Where small pipe diameters and straightforward isolation are required, mini ball valves offer a compact solution.
Ultravalve supplies threaded stainless steel mini ball valves in sizes DN8–DN25.
Key specifications include:
These valves can be considered for small-bore isolation duties within suitable cooling equipment and associated fluid handling systems.
As with all valve selections, engineers should check the actual operating pressure, temperature and connection requirements rather than relying solely on the nominal pressure classification.
Certain closed loop cooling systems require additional consideration of pressure management, particularly where liquid may become trapped between closed isolation points.
Ultravalve offers a two-piece ball valve incorporating a relief device, providing another option for specialist cooling circuit designs.
Key specifications include:
For applications involving pressure relief, it is essential to confirm the relief device's operating characteristics, discharge arrangement and suitability for the specific system.
An integral relief feature should not automatically be assumed to replace other pressure protection equipment required by the cooling system design.
Ball valves remain a widely used option for cooling water isolation because of their simple quarter-turn operation.
For data centre cooling infrastructure, two-piece stainless steel ball valves can be considered for various isolation duties, provided they are appropriately specified.
Ultravalve supplies two-piece threaded ball valves with the following specifications:
With a wider size range than the mini ball valve option, these valves provide additional flexibility when specifying isolation components across different pipework sizes.
Selecting valves for data centre infrastructure requires a clear understanding of the cooling circuit and the intended function of each component.
Before specifying a valve, engineers should consider six important factors.
As data centre cooling technologies continue to develop, choosing suitable cooling valves and fluid handling components remains an important part of designing reliable, maintainable cooling infrastructure.
From compact mini ball valves and general isolation valves to specialist interlock designs, V-port control valves and stainless steel butterfly valves, Ultravalve supplies a range of solutions for engineers specifying data centre cooling equipment.
Need assistance selecting valves for a data centre cooling project?
Our team can discuss your application requirements and help identify suitable valve options from our range.
Contact Ultravalve:
Telephone: 01384 411 888
Email: sales@ultravalve.co.uk
Website: www.ultravalve.co.uk
Speak to Ultravalve about your data centre valve requirements.
Specialists in valves, flow control and expert engineering services across the UK.