Trane, a subsidiary of Trane Technologies, has expanded its range of thermal management products tailored specifically for data centers, introducing a direct-to-chip liquid cooling solution known as the Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU). Currently available only in the U.S. and Canada, the CDU represents a notable step for data centers adapting to increased heat generation from advanced computing, artificial intelligence and large language models.
Steve Obstein, Vice President and General Manager for Data Centers & High-Tech at Trane Technologies, highlighted the company’s objective behind this launch: “We’re excited to extend our thermal management systems offerings, testing, modeling, and service leadership to include liquid cooling for our mission-critical customers.” Obstein added that the approach aims to redefine thermal management with reliable and consistent temperature control for data center environments.
The rapid growth in artificial intelligence applications and large-scale computing tasks creates significant thermal challenges. These applications produce substantial heat, demanding precise thermal management solutions to maintain system performance and reliability. Traditional air-based cooling systems often struggle with these increasing demands, making liquid cooling methods essential.
The Trane CDU offers direct-to-chip cooling, efficiently managing heat directly at its source—the processor chip itself. This method provides effective temperature regulation and substantial energy savings. The CDU, designed in partnership with LiquidStack, delivers up to 1,350 kilowatts (kW) of cooling capacity in a compact form factor, significantly reducing the physical space needed within data centers.
Data centers increasingly face limitations on available space, which makes optimizing the physical footprint of cooling systems essential. Trane’s CDU occupies a footprint measuring just 900 millimeters, designed specifically for hyperscale and colocation data centers. Its compact construction permits side-by-side installations without compromising operational or maintenance accessibility.
Unlike conventional cooling equipment that requires side access, the Trane CDU is accessible entirely from the front and back panels. This design reduces service complexity, allowing straightforward maintenance without technicians having to maneuver through restricted spaces. Consequently, data centers can optimize their layout, maximizing available operational space.
A significant feature of Trane’s CDU is its seamless integration with the company’s broader thermal management ecosystem, including high-efficiency chillers. This integration supports optimized thermal performance, critical for large-scale and high-density computing environments.
The CDU incorporates dual variable speed drive (VSD) pumps, which dynamically adjust their operation based on real-time cooling demands. Unlike fixed-speed pumps that operate continuously at maximum capacity, dual VSD pumps lower their operational speed during reduced demand periods, significantly cutting energy consumption. Additionally, the CDU uses a 316 stainless steel plate heat exchanger to ensure corrosion resistance and efficient heat transfer with various coolant fluids.
The reliability of cooling infrastructure is critical in data centers due to the sensitive nature of the computing equipment and the consequences of downtime. Trane’s CDU integrates features to safeguard continuous operation. An integrated automatic transfer switch (ATS) equipped with a supercapacitor facilitates an immediate switchover to backup power during power disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted coolant flow and thermal management.
The CDU also incorporates a 25-micron filtration system, effectively protecting internal components from particulates that could cause clogging or wear, thus extending the equipment’s lifespan. In addition, the unit’s high-pressure capability (greater than 2.75 bar) allows coolant to circulate effectively over longer distances, accommodating large-scale or complex data center designs without compromising performance.
Recognizing the specialized needs of AI-driven computing environments, Trane collaborated closely with a leading GPU manufacturer during the CDU’s development. This collaboration ensured the unit effectively addresses the specific thermal demands posed by graphics processing units (GPUs), which are fundamental to intensive computational workloads. The resulting design directly aligns with the rigorous requirements of GPU-based systems, delivering precise cooling to maintain optimal hardware performance.
Joe Capes, CEO of LiquidStack, remarked on the significance of this partnership, stating: “I’m thrilled that Trane is bringing LiquidStack high-performance CDU technology to its global network of customers seeking to uplevel their cooling strategies to meet the extraordinary heat rejection needs of AI.”
Through compact design, enhanced efficiency, and precise cooling, the Trane CDU addresses essential operational challenges, setting a new benchmark in sustainable and efficient thermal management for mission-critical data center environments.
This article was originally published in the May 2025 Edition of Fire & Safety Journal Americas. To read your FREE copy, click here.
