Set Up A Bitcoin Farm with Liquid Immersion Cooling Container with Dry Cooler

Set Up A Bitcoin Farm with Liquid Immersion Cooling Container with Dry Cooler

1. Core Components Overview

2. Step 1: Design the Immersion Cooling Container

• Container Selection:
  Use a standard 20ft or 40ft shipping container (ISO-certified for durability). 40ft containers are preferred for larger operations, as they fit more miners (e.g., 40–80 ASICs, depending on size).
• Modifications:

• Insulation: Line walls/ceiling with closed-cell foam or mineral wool to minimize heat loss/gain with the environment.

• Waterproofing: Seal seams and add a drainage system to prevent leaks (critical for coolant containment).

• Coolant Tank: Install a rigid, corrosion-resistant tank (steel or HDPE) inside the container to hold the dielectric coolant. The tank should be sized to submerge all miners with 6–12 inches of extra coolant depth.

• Racking: Mount ASICs on submergible racks (stainless steel or plastic) to keep them upright and spaced for even coolant flow.

3. Step 2: Choose the Dielectric Coolant

• Properties to Prioritize:

• Non-conductive: Prevents short circuits (must meet ASTM D1177 standards).

• High thermal conductivity: Efficiently absorbs heat (e.g., 0.1–0.2 W/m·K for mineral oils).

• Low viscosity: Ensures easy circulation (thick fluids require more powerful pumps).

• Stability at high temps: Resists degradation (operating range: 40–60°C is ideal for ASICs).

• Common Options:

• Mineral Oils: Cost-effective but may degrade over time (needs replacement every 1–2 years).

• Synthetic Fluids (e.g., PAO-based): More stable, longer lifespan (3–5 years), but pricier.

• Silicone Oils: Excellent thermal stability but expensive and less common in mining.

4. Step 3: Integrate the Dry Cooler

• Sizing: Calculate total heat load to select a dry cooler. Each ASIC generates ~1.5–3 kW of heat. For 50 ASICs, total load = 75–150 kW. The dry cooler must handle this load + 10–20% buffer.
• Placement:

• Install outdoors (or in a well-ventilated area) with unobstructed airflow.

• Avoid direct sunlight (use a shade if needed) to prevent ambient heat from reducing efficiency.

• Elevate to avoid debris (leaves, dust) clogging fins.

• Connection to Container:
  Use insulated, high-pressure hoses (e.g., EPDM or PTFE) to connect the container’s coolant outlet to the dry cooler’s inlet. Return cooled coolant via a second hose to the container’s inlet. Add a circulation pump (variable-speed, 1–5 HP) to move coolant through the loop.

5. Step 4: Set Up Power Infrastructure

• Power Requirements:

• Each ASIC uses ~1.2–3 kW (e.g., Antminer S19 Pro uses ~3.2 kW). For 50 ASICs: 60–150 kW.

• Add 10–15% for auxiliary systems (pumps, controls, lighting).

• Power Source:

• Grid Power: Negotiate a high-voltage supply (380V/480V three-phase) to reduce transmission losses.

• Renewables: Pair with solar/wind for lower costs (use batteries for consistency).

• Backup: Install a diesel generator (sized for full load) to avoid downtime during outages.

• Distribution:

• Use a main switchboard with circuit breakers.

• Deploy PDUs (power distribution units) inside the container to manage power to individual ASICs.

6. Step 5: Install Mining Hardware

• Preparation:

• Remove fan assemblies (immersion cooling eliminates the need for active cooling).

• Seal exposed ports (USB, Ethernet) with waterproof caps to prevent coolant ingress.

• Placement:

• Mount ASICs vertically in the tank, spaced 4–6 inches apart to allow coolant flow around heat sinks.

• Ensure all components (chips, PCBs) are fully submerged (coolant level should cover the top of the ASICs by 2–3 inches).

7. Step 6: Add Monitoring & Control Systems

• Sensors: Install temperature sensors (coolant inlet/outlet, ambient), flow meters (coolant circulation), and power monitors.

• Software: Use tools like Hashrate.io or custom SCADA systems to track:

• Coolant temp (target: 40–50°C inlet, 50–60°C outlet).

• Pump flow rate (ensure >10 GPM per 100 kW load).

• ASIC hashrate, power draw, and error codes.

• Automation: Program the system to:

• Adjust pump speed if coolant temp exceeds thresholds.

• Shut down non-critical miners if power/ cooling fails.

8. Step 7: Location & Regulatory Considerations

• Climate: Dry coolers work best in cool climates (ambient <25°C). In hot regions, add evaporative pre-coolers to boost dry cooler efficiency.

• Permits: Check local regulations on:

• Crypto mining legality.

• Power usage (some areas restrict high-consumption industries).

• Noise (dry coolers are quieter than air-cooled miners but may still require permits).

• Access: Ensure easy access for maintenance (e.g., container doors, dry cooler cleaning).

9. Maintenance Plan

• Daily: Check coolant levels, pump operation, and sensor data.

• Weekly: Inspect dry cooler fins for dust/debris (clean with compressed air or water).

• Monthly: Test ASIC hashrates and power efficiency.

• Annually: Replace coolant (if mineral oil) or test for degradation (synthetic fluids). Inspect hoses for leaks.

Advantages of This Setup

• Higher Efficiency: Immersion cooling allows ASICs to run 5–10% faster (overclocking) due to stable temperatures.

• Longer Hardware Life: Reduced dust and thermal stress extend ASIC lifespan by 20–30%.

• Lower Noise: No fan noise (critical for urban or residential areas).

• Water Savings: Dry coolers use no water, unlike wet cooling towers (ideal for arid regions).

Challenges to Anticipate

• High Initial Cost: Immersion systems cost 2–3x more than air cooling (offset by lower long-term energy/maintenance costs).

• Coolant Handling: Spills or leaks require proper disposal (some coolants are hazardous).

• Dry Cooler Sizing: Under-sizing leads to overheating; over-sizing wastes energy.