Views: 80 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-10-29 Origin: Site
As liquid cooling becomes increasingly important in AI data centers and high-performance computing (HPC) facilities, coolant distribution units (CDUs) play an essential role in managing heat transfer between the IT cooling network and facility cooling infrastructure.
At the center of many liquid-to-liquid CDUs is a plate heat exchanger that transfers heat between two separate coolant circuits.
However, selecting a CDU heat exchanger is not as simple as specifying a cooling capacity in kilowatts.
A supplier may receive an inquiry requesting a 300 kW or 500 kW heat exchanger, but without information about fluid temperatures, flow rates, allowable pressure drops, and coolant properties, these figures are not sufficient for an accurate equipment selection.
The same nominal cooling capacity can require substantially different heat exchanger configurations depending on the thermal and hydraulic conditions.
For data center cooling applications, an incorrectly selected exchanger may affect coolant supply temperature, increase pumping requirements, create compatibility problems, or complicate maintenance.
A complete request for quotation (RFQ) should describe not only how much heat must be removed, but also the operating conditions on both sides of the heat exchanger.
This guide explains what information CDU manufacturers, system integrators, data center engineers, and procurement teams should provide before requesting a heat exchanger quotation.
In a conventional liquid-to-liquid CDU, the heat exchanger separates two circulating fluid systems.
The Facility Water System (FWS) supplies cooling fluid from the building or data center cooling infrastructure.
The Technology Cooling System (TCS) circulates coolant through the IT equipment cooling network, including cold plates, manifolds, and associated piping.
The TCS coolant absorbs heat generated by processors, accelerators, and other liquid-cooled equipment.
It then returns to the CDU, where the heat exchanger transfers that heat into the facility cooling circuit.
The two fluids remain separated by the heat transfer surfaces under normal operating conditions.
This separation allows the facility and IT cooling loops to use different operating pressures, fluid chemistries, filtration arrangements, and temperature controls.
A complete CDU is a cooling distribution and control system.
Depending on its design, it may include:
A liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger
Circulation pumps
Control valves
Temperature and pressure sensors
Flow measurement devices
Filtration equipment
Expansion or fluid-management components
Leak detection
Controllers and communication interfaces
The CDU heat exchanger is the thermal component responsible for transferring heat between the FWS and TCS circuits.
It does not independently perform all the functions of a complete CDU.
This distinction is particularly important when requesting quotations.
A heat exchanger supplier may quote a standalone plate heat exchanger, while a CDU manufacturer may quote an integrated system containing pumps, controls, filters, and other equipment.
Buyers should clearly specify which product is required.
CDU heat exchanger performance depends on several interacting variables.
These include cooling duty, entering temperatures, required outlet temperatures, fluid flow rates, heat-transfer properties, and allowable pressure drop.
For example, a heat exchanger operating with a large temperature difference between the hot and cold circuits generally has more available thermal driving force than one operating at a very close temperature approach.
A close-approach design may require additional heat-transfer surface or a different plate configuration.
Similarly, the allowable pressure drop can strongly influence the selected plate geometry and channel arrangement.
Therefore, purchasing decisions should be based on the actual application rather than nominal heat exchanger capacity alone.
The first requirement is the thermal duty.
This represents the amount of heat that the exchanger must transfer from the technology cooling loop to the facility cooling loop.
Cooling capacity should be expressed in kW or MW.
Buyers should distinguish between:
Maximum design heat load
Normal operating heat load
Minimum expected operating load
Planned future cooling demand
For example, an existing liquid cooling installation may require 300 kW, while a planned expansion could increase the requirement.
However, future capacity should be communicated as a separate design scenario rather than automatically added as an arbitrary percentage.
The cooling capacity published by the manufacturer is based on specified test or rated operating conditions.
If the fluid temperature or flow rate changes, the achievable cooling capacity may also vary.
Therefore, within the same central air conditioning unit (CDU) application, two heat exchangers with the same nominal capacity (kW) may not perform exactly the same.
The heat load assigned to the Central Data Unit (CDU) should represent the heat that must be dissipated through the liquid cooling loop.
It should not automatically be equated with the total power consumption of the entire data center.
Some of the heat may be dissipated through air cooling or other systems.
Design engineers must determine the actual load transferred to the CDU, including any applicable auxiliary heat inputs.
One of the most important parts of a CDU heat exchanger RFQ is the temperature schedule.
Buyers should provide four temperatures:
Temperature Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
TCS inlet to heat exchanger | Hot coolant returning from IT equipment |
TCS outlet from heat exchanger | Cooled coolant supplied back to IT equipment |
FWS inlet to heat exchanger | Facility coolant entering the CDU |
FWS outlet from heat exchanger | Heated facility coolant returning to the cooling plant |
For example:
TCS inlet: 42°C
TCS outlet: 37°C
FWS inlet: 30°C
FWS outlet: 35°C
This temperature schedule allows a supplier to evaluate the required heat transfer and temperature driving force.
It is essential to identify the direction of flow clearly.
The terms inlet and outlet should refer to the heat exchanger connections, not ambiguously to the wider data center system.
Flow rate is another essential specification.
The supplier needs separate design flow rates for the FWS and TCS circuits.
These may be expressed in:
L/min
m³/h
kg/s
The flow rates on the two sides are not necessarily equal.
Differences may result from fluid properties, temperature changes, and system requirements.
For example, a glycol mixture may require a different flow rate from water to transfer the same heat duty over the same temperature interval.
For a related explanation of how unequal flow affects exchanger selection, see How Unequal Flow Rates Affect Plate Heat Exchanger Selection.
Data center cooling systems may experience variable load conditions.
A supplier should therefore know whether the specified flow rate is constant or variable.
Where applicable, provide:
Minimum operating flow
Normal operating flow
Maximum operating flow
Expected control range
These values help establish whether the selected exchanger can operate acceptably across the intended load range.
The fluid on each side must be identified.
Examples include:
Treated water
Inhibited water-glycol mixtures
Other approved heat-transfer fluids
When glycol is used, specify the type, concentration, concentration basis, and relevant fluid properties.
Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are not interchangeable for hydraulic and thermal calculations.
Likewise, different inhibitor packages may introduce different material compatibility requirements.
Fluid density, specific heat capacity, viscosity, and thermal conductivity influence thermal and hydraulic performance.
For single-phase liquids, a common heat-duty relationship is:
Q = m × Cp × ΔT
Where:
Q = Heat transfer rate (kW)
m = Mass flow rate (kg/s)
Cp = Specific heat capacity (kJ/kg·K)
ΔT = Fluid temperature change (K)
Using an incorrect fluid property can produce an inaccurate flow-rate or capacity calculation.
Heat exchangers selected based on water characteristics may not achieve the expected thermal performance when used with ethylene glycol mixtures.
Ethylene glycol concentration affects both heat transfer capacity and pressure drop.
Therefore, suppliers should calculate performance based on the actual composition of the coolant intended for use.
Pressure-related data should be provided separately for both fluid circuits.
Three parameters are particularly important.
Operating pressure: The expected pressure during normal system operation.
Design pressure: The pressure limit specified for the equipment's mechanical design, considering applicable requirements.
Allowable pressure drop: The maximum permitted pressure loss across the heat exchanger at the specified flow conditions.
These are not interchangeable.
A heat exchanger may have an adequate mechanical pressure rating but still create excessive hydraulic resistance.
Buyers should also disclose relevant pressure transients, differential-pressure conditions, or isolation scenarios.
The cleanliness of the coolant significantly affects the long-term performance of the CDU.
Particulates, corrosion byproducts, deposits, and biological contaminants can clog heat exchanger channels or affect IT cooling components.
Water quality requirements may differ between facility water loops and technical cooling loops.
Buyers should provide available information about:
Water treatment
pH and conductivity
Corrosion inhibitors
Relevant dissolved constituents
Suspended particles
Filtration specifications
Expected fouling conditions
If detailed water chemistry is not yet available, the RFQ should identify it as information requiring confirmation.
The plate-channel geometry and filtration arrangement should be evaluated together.
Even when an exchanger meets the thermal duty, it must physically fit inside the intended CDU layout.
Important data include:
Maximum length, width, and height
Preferred mounting orientation
Connection size and type
Connection position
Installation and maintenance clearance
Maximum acceptable weight
Required drainage or venting arrangements
For in-rack CDUs, compact dimensions may be particularly important.
In-row or floor-standing CDUs may provide greater equipment space, but maintenance access and piping arrangements remain essential.
In a conventional liquid-to-liquid CDU, approach temperature is often defined as the difference between the cooled TCS supply temperature and the entering FWS supply temperature.
For the temperature convention used in this article:
CDU Approach Temperature = TCS Outlet Temperature − FWS Inlet Temperature
For example:
TCS outlet temperature = 37°C
FWS inlet temperature = 30°C
Approach Temperature = 7 K
A smaller approach means the technology cooling supply temperature is closer to the facility cooling supply temperature.
However, achieving a smaller approach generally requires greater heat-transfer capability under otherwise comparable operating conditions.
Heat transfer depends on the temperature difference between the two fluids.
A simplified equation is:
Q = U × A × LMTD
Where:
Q = Heat transfer duty
U = Overall heat transfer coefficient
A = Heat transfer surface area
LMTD = Log mean temperature difference
For an appropriate single-pass countercurrent arrangement, the terminal temperature differences can be expressed as:
ΔT1 = TCS Inlet − FWS Outlet
ΔT2 = TCS Outlet − FWS Inlet
These terminal differences are used to calculate LMTD.
A smaller available temperature driving force generally demands greater heat-transfer area, improved heat-transfer coefficients, or both.
However, the exact result depends on the plate geometry and fluid conditions.
A TCS loop with a temperature drop of 5 K does not necessarily have an approach temperature of 5 K.
The TCS temperature drop compares the TCS inlet and outlet temperatures.
Approach temperature compares the TCS outlet with the FWS inlet.
Both values must be specified correctly.
Suppose there are two candidate heat exchangers that require the same cooling capacity.
One must operate at a relatively large temperature difference, while the other must achieve a smaller temperature difference.
Meeting the requirement for a smaller temperature difference may require a larger plate bundle, a different channel design, or lower hydraulic resistance at a specific operating point.
The resulting equipment costs may vary significantly.
This is why suppliers should not base their quotes solely on cooling capacity.
Liquid cooling systems inside data centers must account for condensation risk.
If the temperature of exposed cooling surfaces falls below the surrounding air dew point, condensation may occur.
The CDU control strategy should maintain suitable coolant temperatures and support any required insulation or condensation protection.
The permitted TCS supply temperature must be established using the actual IT equipment requirements and environmental conditions.
The exchanger supplier should not independently assume that the lowest achievable coolant temperature is the best operating target.
Plate heat exchangers are commonly used for liquid-to-liquid cooling because they offer a compact heat transfer surface and configurable thermal performance.
Two important types are gasketed plate heat exchangers and brazed plate heat exchangers.
The specific type selected depends on capacity, fluid compatibility, available space, cleaning requirements, and system design.
A gasketed plate heat exchanger contains a stack of corrugated plates held within a bolted frame.
Gaskets separate the two fluid circuits and guide flow through the appropriate channels.
Potential advantages include:
Access for inspection and cleaning
Replaceable gaskets and plates
Flexible plate configurations
Suitability for many liquid-to-liquid cooling duties
In suitable expandable designs, plate packs may be modified to accommodate changing requirements.
However, gasketed construction requires appropriate sealing-material selection and maintenance planning.
For available configurations, explore Aidear Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers.
Brazed plate heat exchangers use permanently joined corrugated plates to create compact flow passages.
Their construction can be attractive when installation space is limited and the operating fluids are sufficiently clean and chemically compatible.
Potential advantages include:
Compact construction
High heat-transfer surface density
No conventional plate-pack elastomer gaskets
Suitability for selected integrated CDU designs
However, brazed exchangers normally cannot be opened for direct mechanical cleaning.
The plate material, brazing material, and fluid chemistry must therefore be carefully evaluated.
Review Aidear Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers for available product options.
Selection Factor | Gasketed Plate | Brazed Plate |
|---|---|---|
Construction | Bolted, gasketed plate pack | Permanently brazed plates |
Compact integration | Depends on frame and capacity | Often attractive for compact designs |
Mechanical cleaning | Generally possible | Normally not possible |
Plate replacement | Possible in suitable designs | Not normally possible |
Capacity modification | Possible in selected expandable designs | Requires a different unit |
Material compatibility | Plates and gaskets must be evaluated | Plates and brazing material must be evaluated |
Pressure and temperature ratings | Model-specific | Model-specific |
Main selection concern | Serviceability and sealing | Compactness, cleanliness, and material compatibility |
Neither exchanger type is universally better for CDU applications.
If the facility circuit has uncertain water quality or a greater risk of fouling, serviceability may become an important selection factor.
A gasketed exchanger can offer an advantage when internal inspection and mechanical cleaning are required.
For a clean and chemically compatible circuit, a brazed exchanger may provide a compact alternative.
Cleaning requirements should be considered during the design stage, not only after fouling appears.
For further guidance, see How to Plan CIP Cleaning for a Plate Heat Exchanger.
Consider a liquid-to-liquid CDU designed to transfer 300 kW of heat.
The following data are provided for illustration:
Parameter | FWS Side | TCS Side |
|---|---|---|
Heat transfer duty | 300 kW | 300 kW |
Fluid | Water | Water |
Heat exchanger inlet | 30°C | 42°C |
Heat exchanger outlet | 35°C | 37°C |
Fluid temperature change | 5 K | 5 K |
Flow rate | To be calculated | To be calculated |
Allowable pressure drop | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
These are hypothetical conditions and are not verified performance data for an Aidear product.
Using an approximate water specific heat capacity of 4.18 kJ/kg·K:
Mass Flow Rate = Q ÷ (Cp × ΔT)
Mass Flow Rate = 300 ÷ (4.18 × 5)
Mass Flow Rate ≈ 14.35 kg/s
Assuming a water density of approximately 1,000 kg/m³, this corresponds to roughly 51.7 m³/h.
Because the temperature change is 5 K on both sides and water properties are approximated as equal, both circuits have approximately the same calculated mass flow in this example.
Actual flow calculations should use fluid properties at the relevant temperatures.
The required approach temperature is:
37°C − 30°C = 7 K
The terminal differences for an ideal countercurrent arrangement are:
ΔT1 = 42°C − 35°C = 7 K
ΔT2 = 37°C − 30°C = 7 K
Because both terminal differences are equal in this illustrative case, the corresponding LMTD is 7 K.
However, this calculation does not establish the required exchanger dimensions.
The supplier must still evaluate overall heat transfer coefficients, channel configuration, pressure drop, fouling allowances, and actual fluid properties.
Although the thermal data are sufficient for a preliminary evaluation, several important parameters remain unknown.
These include:
Allowable pressure drop on the FWS side
Allowable pressure drop on the TCS side
Maximum operating pressure
Required design pressure
Water chemistry
Filtration specifications
Preferred plate and sealing materials
Connection sizes
Maximum equipment dimensions
Required documentation and certification
A supplier may be able to estimate a preliminary exchanger size from the known thermal conditions.
However, the final selection could change once the pressure-drop limits, materials, and installation requirements are provided.
If key parameters have not yet been determined, the preliminary quotation should clearly state the assumptions used.
For example, a distinction should be made between confirmed buyer requirements and provisional values selected for preliminary calculations.
Assumed pressure drop limits or fluid compositions should not automatically become guaranteed design requirements without further clarification.
A well-prepared RFQ should present the required information in a consistent format.
The following checklist can be used by data center engineers, CDU manufacturers, and procurement teams.
Required Parameter | FWS Side | TCS Side |
|---|---|---|
Fluid type | Specify | Specify |
Glycol type and concentration | If applicable | If applicable |
Heat exchanger inlet temperature | °C | °C |
Required heat exchanger outlet temperature | °C | °C |
Design flow rate | L/min or m³/h | L/min or m³/h |
Minimum flow rate | If applicable | If applicable |
Maximum flow rate | If applicable | If applicable |
Normal operating pressure | bar or kPa | bar or kPa |
Required design pressure | bar or MPa | bar or MPa |
Maximum allowable exchanger pressure drop | kPa | kPa |
Fluid quality / filtration | Specify | Specify |
Material compatibility requirements | Specify | Specify |
Additional project-level information should include:
Required cooling duty in kW
Minimum and maximum heat load
Desired approach temperature, if specified
Maximum acceptable exchanger dimensions
Installation orientation
Connection sizes and standards
Expected operating hours
Maintenance requirements
Any required performance margin or future expansion scenario
In addition to the technical data, buyers should provide:
Equipment quantity
Preferred exchanger type, if known
Connection arrangement
Plate material requirements
Gasket or brazing material requirements
Applicable design and inspection standards
Pressure and leak test documentation requirements
Drawing and calculation-document requirements
Delivery destination
Required delivery schedule
Packaging or shipping requirements
These details allow the supplier to prepare a more complete technical and commercial proposal.
The following template can be copied into an inquiry email or technical specification.
Project Name: [Project name]
Application: Liquid-to-Liquid CDU / Data Center Direct Liquid Cooling
Required Product: Standalone Heat Exchanger / Complete CDU / To Be Confirmed
Required Cooling Capacity: [kW]
Operating Load Range: [Minimum to maximum kW]
Quantity: [Units]
Installation Type: In-Rack / In-Row / Floor-Standing / Other
Fluid Type: [Water / Glycol mixture / Other]
Glycol Concentration: [If applicable]
Inlet Temperature: [°C]
Required Outlet Temperature: [°C]
Flow Rate: [L/min or m³/h]
Operating Pressure: [bar]
Design Pressure: [bar]
Maximum Allowable Heat Exchanger Pressure Drop: [kPa]
Water Quality / Filtration: [Specification]
Fluid Type: [Treated water / Inhibited glycol solution / Other]
Glycol Concentration: [If applicable]
Inlet Temperature: [°C]
Required Outlet Temperature: [°C]
Flow Rate: [L/min or m³/h]
Operating Pressure: [bar]
Design Pressure: [bar]
Maximum Allowable Heat Exchanger Pressure Drop: [kPa]
Coolant Quality / Filtration: [Specification]
Required Approach Temperature: [K, if specified]
Preferred Heat Exchanger Type: [Gasketed / Brazed / Open to Recommendation]
Plate Material: [Specify or Request Recommendation]
Sealing / Brazing Material: [Specify or Request Recommendation]
Connection Size and Standard: [Specify]
Maximum Dimensions: [L × W × H]
Required Technical Documents: [Specify]
Applicable Standards: [Specify]
Delivery Destination: [Country / City]
Additional Comments: [Project-specific requirements]
The supplier should confirm missing values before finalizing the design.
A request for a 500 kW heat exchanger without temperatures or flow rates is incomplete.
Cooling duty alone does not determine the required plate arrangement or heat-transfer area.
Incorrectly identifying the two fluid circuits can produce an invalid temperature schedule.
Each temperature should be labeled according to its actual heat exchanger connection.
A thermally suitable exchanger may still be unsuitable if the pressure loss exceeds the available system differential pressure.
Both circuits require separate pressure-drop limits.
Facility water and IT-side coolant may require different chemical and filtration specifications.
Material compatibility and contamination control should be reviewed for both circuits.
A compact unit may satisfy the installation constraints but create difficulties with cleaning or replacement.
Buyers should evaluate maintenance requirements as well as the equipment footprint.
A heat exchanger quotation does not automatically include pumps, controls, filtration, leak detection, or redundancy.
The buyer should clearly define the scope of supply and the boundaries of supplier responsibility.
A technically complete proposal should clearly specify the criteria on which the selection is based.
These criteria should include cooling capacity, fluid temperature, flow rate, and the properties of the applicable fluid.
Where appropriate, the supplier should provide a thermal design summary.
The quotation should state the calculated pressure drop on each side at the specified operating conditions.
For projects with variable flow, additional operating points may be required.
The supplier should identify:
Heat exchanger type
Main construction materials
Pressure and temperature ratings
Connection dimensions
Overall dimensions and weight
Relevant material compatibility limitations
For gasketed exchangers, sealing materials and maintenance arrangements should also be specified.
For brazed exchangers, the plate and brazing materials require particular attention.
Required inspection and certification documents should be confirmed during the quotation stage.
Potential documentation may include:
General arrangement drawings
Thermal and hydraulic selection data
Material information
Pressure or leak test records
Applicable inspection documentation
Not every project requires the same certification or testing scope.
The final requirements should reflect the destination market, application, applicable regulations, and buyer specification.
A heat exchanger supplier should not be assumed to provide system-level CDU performance guarantees unless those responsibilities are explicitly included in the contract.
The CDU integrator remains responsible for verifying the complete system, including pumps, controls, sensors, piping, and operating safeguards.
A clear division of responsibilities helps avoid technical and commercial misunderstandings.
The most important starting information is cooling capacity, FWS and TCS fluid types, four inlet and outlet temperatures, both flow rates, and allowable pressure drop on each side.
Pressure ratings, water quality, materials, and installation constraints are also required for final selection.
A supplier may be able to discuss preliminary options, but the information is insufficient for a reliable final selection.
Both fluid temperature schedules and other operating limits must also be established.
Yes, brazed plate heat exchangers can be used in suitable liquid-to-liquid CDU designs.
However, their suitability depends on capacity, fluid compatibility, filtration, pressure limits, and maintenance requirements.
The specific model must be verified for the intended application.
Gasketed plate heat exchangers may offer advantages in applications requiring accessible cleaning, serviceability, or configurable plate packs.
However, exchanger size alone does not determine the correct technology.
Compact brazed designs may also be suitable for substantial cooling duties when the specific product and operating conditions allow.
Yes.
The required flow on each side depends on fluid properties and the respective temperature changes.
Different flow rates are not inherently a problem, provided the exchanger is correctly designed for both circuits.
No.
A lower approach can help achieve a TCS supply temperature closer to the entering FWS temperature.
However, it may require greater heat-transfer capability and can influence equipment cost and pressure drop.
The appropriate approach should be selected based on the complete cooling-system requirements.
The buyer should provide the complete fluid chemistry and operating conditions.
The manufacturer can then evaluate suitable material options.
It is better to request a material recommendation than to specify an arbitrary plate or brazing material without checking compatibility.
Successful CDU heat exchanger selection requires more than a nominal cooling capacity.
The correct equipment must transfer the required heat while maintaining suitable coolant temperatures, acceptable hydraulic resistance, and long-term material compatibility.
For data center liquid cooling applications, buyers should provide complete information for both the facility water system and the technology cooling system.
The most important data include:
Cooling capacity and operating load range
FWS and TCS inlet and outlet temperatures
Flow rates on both sides
Coolant composition and fluid properties
Operating and design pressures
Allowable pressure drops
Water quality and filtration requirements
Materials and mechanical constraints
Maintenance and documentation requirements
These parameters allow suppliers to evaluate a heat exchanger using actual project conditions instead of relying on nominal capacity alone.
The more clearly the operating requirements are defined, the easier it becomes to compare technically suitable heat exchanger proposals.
Changzhou Aidear Refrigeration Technology Co., Ltd. supplies plate heat exchanger solutions for industrial cooling, HVAC, refrigeration, and other heat-transfer applications.
For CDU integrators and data center cooling projects, plate heat exchanger selection should be based on the required operating conditions and available product configurations.
Aidear offers Gasketed Plate Heat Exchangers and Brazed Plate Heat Exchangers that can be evaluated for suitable liquid-to-liquid cooling applications.
Specific material compatibility, mechanical requirements, and thermal performance must be confirmed during technical selection.
Are you sourcing a plate heat exchanger for a CDU or data center liquid cooling system?
Send Aidear your required cooling capacity, FWS and TCS temperature conditions, fluid types, flow rates, allowable pressure drops, and equipment constraints.
Our team can review the supplied requirements and discuss suitable plate heat exchanger options, subject to engineering evaluation and product availability.
Request a Custom Quote — Share Your CDU Cooling Requirements With Aidear.
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