Mechanical Seals for CDU Pump OEMs
Highly engineered seals for reliable integration in liquid cooling applications
As data centre power densities increase, cooling system performance is becoming increasingly critical. AI-driven workloads are pushing racks beyond the limits of traditional air cooling, accelerating the transition to liquid-based systems, particularly within high-density in-row cooling architectures.
CDU pumps operate with zero tolerance for interruption and are therefore configured with redundancy, where even short disruptions in flow can impact system stability. At the same time, cooling fluids can vary from propylene glycol additive mixtures to treated or low-conductivity water, introducing challenges related to lubricity, electrical behaviour and material compatibility.
As a result, seal reliability, fluid compatibility, and design stability directly influence pump performance, system uptime, and the risk of leakage within critical cooling infrastructure. For pump OEMs, this places greater importance on seal selection during both initial design and system validation.
The Challenge
Mechanical Sealing in CDU Environments
Liquid cooling systems introduce challenges not typically seen in standard
pump applications. The combination of low-lubricity fluids, electrolytic
effects, and sensitivity to leakage creates a demanding environment for mechanical seals.
Even minor seal instability can impact pump reliability, system uptime, and
perceived performance – making the right engineering choice critical at the
OEM design stage.
CDU-SPECIFIC SEALING CHALLENGES
1
Low-lubricity/low-viscosity fluids such as glycol-water mixtures and treated water
2
Electrolytic corrosion effects in low-conductivity or pure water systems
3
Additive interactions leading to seal face deposits and subsequent leakage
4
Increasing variation in fluid composition and operating conditions
5
High sensitivity to leakage within data centre environments
The Solution
Seals Designed for CDU Pump Applications
Our mechanical seals are developed specifically for CDU pumps, addressing fluid
behaviour, electrical effects, and reliability requirements.
The Solution
CDU Optimised Elastomer Seal
For standard CDU applications and OEM scalability
- Drop-in replacement for existing seal interfaces
- No pump redesign required
- Leakage-resistant under CDU conditions
- Stable operation in low-lubricity fluids
- Mitigates effects of electrolytic corrosion, mechanical damage and additive-burn on
- Cost-effective for high-volume production
Ideal for standard platforms and rapid OEM integration
Premium Solution
CDU Optimised Component Seal
For higher performance and reliability-critical applications
- Robust design for demanding CDU conditions - higher resistance to operating conditions and seal failure
- Stable sealing under thermal and fluid variability
- Reliable operation in low-lubricity and variable fluids
- Minimises additive-related performance issues
- Supports extended service life expectations
- Reduces warranty risk
Enables OEMs to address more demanding applications
FLUID COMPATABILITY
Designed for Real-World CDU Fluids
Our seals are engineered for compatibility with typical cooling system fluids,
•
Propylene glycol-water mixtures (commonly – 25% PG, with higher
concentrations used depending on environment)
•
Treated water systems
•
Clean / city water (primary loops)
•
Deionised / low conductivity water
Material Combinations specifically designed for data centers and are selected to support:
•
Thermal Stability
Consistent performance across the temperature ranges typical of CDU cooling loops.
•
Resistance to Additive-Related Deposits
Face and elastomer materials chosen to minimise the impact of fluid additives and inhibitors.
•
Wear Resistance and longevity
Designed to maximise seal life and reduce maintenance intervals in demanding, continuous CDU pump operation.
APPLICATION FOCUS
Designed for integration into:
CDU Pump Sytems
Primary and secondary cooling loops in high-density data centre infrastructure.
Centrifugal Pumps
Horizontal, end-suction centrifugal pump architectures commonly used in CDU applications.
High-Density Environments
Liquid cooling infrastructure supporting Al workloads and dense rack configurations.
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