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One and two phase immersion cooling of power electronics
The ability to precisely control electrical voltages on a large scale has enabled many efficient, powerful innovations... From high-speed electric trains to wind turbines, and electric vehicles for everything from heavy earthmoving equipment to personal electric vehicles (EVs). But the equipment that manages this process — including power inverters, thyristors, IGBT and variable-speed drives — requires high-performance power electronics cooling.
At 3M, we developed our 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids to act as excellent immersion cooling fluids for voltage-changing power electronics applications. These dielectric fluids are safe for contact with electronics, and cool power devices efficiently and uniformly using single-phase or two phase immersion cooling. They offer wide operating temperature ranges, have excellent materials compatibility and are simple to maintain. These characteristics make Novec fluid-based immersion cooling an excellent alternative to air, water or oil-cooled systems. And they do all this without compromising worker safety or environmental sustainability. As you develop the electric-powered machines of the future, turn to 3M Novec fluids to help keep them cool.
The potential of immersion cooling of key power electronics applications
Power electronics move the world forward. 3M has decades of experience in power electronics cooling with 3M™ Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquids. Now our next-generation Novec fluids can help keep them cool through simple, efficient, high-performance one or two phase immersion cooling, with an enhanced sustainability profile. With significant advantages over existing cooling methods, consider the potential of Novec fluids to cool future power electronics applications, including:
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High-speed railElectric-powered high-speed trains are transforming how people travel long distances safely, quickly and with significantly lower environmental impact than flying or other comparable modes of transport.
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Heavy machineryEarthmoving equipment can literally move mountains but requires enormous energy and power. This can be delivered efficiently via electric and hybrid drive systems controlled by power electronics.
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Wind turbinesHarnessing wind energy requires a complex transformation of mechanical energy — which itself varies with wind speed — into electrical energy suitable for the grid.
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Undersea petroleum extractionThe bottom of the sea is a challenging environment for power electronics, which are used in high-volume pumps that make petroleum extraction more efficient.
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High-speed liftsDesigners of skyscrapers need to take people to new heights quickly. New high-speed lifts are designed to make living and working in tall buildings more convenient and comfortable.
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AutomotiveThe mass adoption of electric vehicles depends on the production of efficient, reliable drivetrains that use power electronics to transfer energy from batteries to wheels, plus fast charging infrastructure and cables.
The power of next-generation cooling solutions
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We developed 3M Novec Engineered Fluids to excel in heat transfer applications. Through our work with leading manufacturers of power electronics, we understand the demands placed on heat transfer fluids used in power electronics immersion cooling, and we offer products that feature:
- A wide range of operating temperatures for use in different applications
- Options that are compatible with either single-phase or two-phase immersion cooling systems
- Excellent materials compatibility to avoid damage to equipment
- A range of boiling points, vapour pressures and densities
- High dielectric strength that makes them safe for contact with electronics
Download the heat transfer product selection guide (PDF, 79 KB)
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The next phase in our decades of power electronics cooling experience
3M Fluorinert Electronic Liquids have been used for immersion cooling of power electronics for decades. 3M now applies that experience to the application of 3M Novec Engineered Fluids, which share the same characteristics but with an enhanced sustainability profile. Contact us for help choosing which product best meets your specifications and goals.
Novec: A smarter solution than other cooling alternatives
Cooling power electronics using Novec Engineered Fluids in an immersion cooling system offers many advantages over the alternative methods.
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Novec vs. AirImmersion cooling offers more consistent and efficient cooling than air. This allows greater density of electronic components — critical to creating smaller power electronics. -
Novec vs. WaterUsing water to cool power electronics requires significant complexity to ensure that the water doesn’t contact the electronics and create a short. Novec Engineered Fluids are dielectric and safe for contact with electronics, simplifying the system.
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Novec vs. OilThe various oils sometimes used for heat transfer in immersion cooling for power electronics are all flammable at some temperature. They also leave residue. Novec Engineered Fluids are non-flammable, resulting in greater safety, and leave no residue for easier maintenance.
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All the performance without compromise
The Novec promise is performance without compromise. Our engineers purposefully developed Novec Engineered Fluids with worker safety and environmental sustainability in mind. These fluids feature:
- A wide margin of worker safety and non-flammability
- Low environmental impact, with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and low global warming potential (GWP), compared with conventional hydrocarbon coolants
- Strong regulatory compliance — not scheduled for restriction or phasedown
Power electronics cooling tools and resources
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Novec Engineered Fluids heat transfer product selection guideDownload product selection guide (PDF, 79 KB)Technical data sheetsFind technical data sheets in the resource librarySafety data sheetsSearch safety data sheetsThermal Management White Paper
Contact us with any questions about immersion cooling for power electronics
3M Novec is more than a line of products — we’re people who share your passion for solving problems and improving lives, and our experience in immersion cooling and power electronics means we are uniquely able to help you solve your challenges. Contact us to answer any questions you may have or to get:
- Help connecting with manufacturers of immersion cooling systems
- Assistance ordering Novec Engineered Fluids or choosing between Novec fluids and Fluorinert Electronic Liquids
- Information on purchasing test samples
- Product data
- Application advice and best practices
