Cooling Challenges in High-Density Data CentersIn the previous article, we discussed glycol in climate control and tower cooling applications. In this final installment of our 4-Part Series on Glycol in Data Centers, we’re taking a closer look at DOWFROST LC 25 and why it’s engineered specifically for direct liquid chip cooling environments.
As data centers and computing systems continue their evolution, traditional air-cooling approaches are struggling to keep up with rising heat concentrations.
DOWFROST LC 25 is a pre-mixed, inhibited propylene-glycol heat transfer fluid designed specifically for liquid-cooled, direct-to-chip and rack mining cooling loops.
It’s formulated using high-purity PuraGuard™ USP/EP-grade propylene glycol and an advanced inhibitor package, helping deliver consistent performance while reducing common fluid issues.
LC 25 delivers system performance while minimizing common glycol problems like:
Foaming risk
Deposition buildup
Unwanted odors
Fluid contamination cues like odors and foaming.
Standout formulation advantages include:
High-purity PuraGuard™ USP/EP-grade propylene glycol.
Advanced inhibitor package
Because of this chemistry, LC 25 reduces issues seen with off-the-shelf glycols.
Additionally, the fluid is naturally resistant to biological growth, reducing the need for frequent chemical treatment or biocide addition in closed-loop systems.
One of the standout benefits of LC 25 is its robust material protection and system longevity.
The inhibitor package is formulated for:
High-surface-area copper
Mixed-metal assemblies
Brass
Mild steel
LC 25 supports long-term protection for common internal cooling materials including:
Copper
Brass
Mild steel
Mild steel, manifolds, tubing, and other metal internals.
LC 25 is specifically engineered for systems utilizing copper cold plates and provides long-term corrosion protection across metals commonly found in data equipment cooling systems (DECS).
This level of protection is critical in microchannel and high-surface-area heat exchangers, where even minor corrosion or deposition can significantly impact thermal performance and flow distribution.
Critical fluid performance considerations supported by LC 25 include:
Freeze protection down to approximately 14°F.
Fluorescent yellow-green dye for quick leak detection.
Pre-diluted and ready to use (25 vol % PG).
The fluorescent dye built into LC 25 allows for fast and easy leak detection, which is especially important in direct-to-chip environments where even small leaks can impact sensitive electronic components.
Compared to treated water systems, LC 25 requires significantly less maintenance and eliminates the need for continuous chemical treatment, helping reduce downtime and operational complexity.
Why glycol is used in these environments:
Helps absorb and transport heat away from chips.
Protects metal-intensive internals.
Supports leak detection for sensitive electronics.
Prevents freezing or bursting in colder ambient conditions.
This is a key concern for data centers with external chillers or unheated secondary spaces.
Quick benefits for installation and maintenance:
Pre-diluted and ready to use (25 vol % PG)
Installation is easier while maintaining stability against biofouling
Dependable heat transfer over extended deployment periods
Because LC 25 is supplied as a pre-diluted solution, it eliminates the need for on-site mixing, reducing the risk of improper concentration and ensuring consistent performance from initial fill through long-term operation.
This also helps standardize system performance across deployments, which is especially important for large-scale data center operations managing multiple cooling loops.
That wraps up our glycol in data center cooling series. Together, these articles highlight how glycol supports everything from facility-wide cooling to high-density liquid-cooled systems and why choosing the right fluid matters.
DOWFROST™ LC25 is a purpose-built heat transfer fluid designed to optimize performance and reliability in direct liquid cooling systems.
