Why the Data Center Industry Is Exploring Sanitary Valve Technology
High-density servers, AI computing units, and cloud infrastructure generate significant heat.
Conventional HVAC-based air cooling increasingly struggles to manage these loads efficiently, leading operators to adopt liquid-cooling methods such as direct-to-chip cooling and rear-door heat exchangers.
These liquid-cooling systems frequently use stainless steel sanitary tubing instead of
heavy Schedule 40 pipe because:
- Sanitary tubing is thin-walled and easier to bend and route through dense server racks.
- It offers smooth internal surfaces, helping to reduce pressure losses.
- Stainless steel provides excellent corrosion resistance and a long service life.
- Tri-clamp connections simplify assembly, maintenance, and system reconfiguration.
“Sanitary tubing allows cleaner layouts, quick installation, and superior modularity in mission-critical environments like data centers.”
Where Sanitary Valves Fit Into Cooling Loops
Liquid-cooling loops in data centers typically include:
- Primary and secondary coolant supply and return lines
- Heat exchangers and chillers
- Coolant distribution units (CDUs) and manifolds
- Rack- or row-level cooling modules
- Isolation and control valves
In these systems, sanitary valves are used for:
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- Flow isolation for maintenance and safety.
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- Loop switching between active and standby circuits.
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- Direction control for bypass and redundancy lines.
- Automated shutdown during alarms and emergency conditions.
As data center cooling technology matures, the demand is growing for valve solutions that are compact, corrosion-resistant, hygienic, and easy to integrate into stainless sanitary piping systems.
Stilonn Valves Being Evaluated for Data Center Cooling Systems
Stilonn’s high-performance valve and actuator systems, originally developed for industrial process
applications are now being assessed for liquid-cooling environments. Their robust construction,
connection flexibility, and automation compatibility make them well suited to modern data center needs.
1. Stilonn Sanitary Butterfly Valves – Tri-Clamp Series
These compact butterfly valves are designed for hygienic and utility applications and are available with
tri-clamp ends, making them ideal for stainless sanitary tubing systems. Benefits include:
- All-stainless steel construction for corrosion resistance and cleanability.
- Low operating torque and compact envelope dimensions.
- Compatibility with pneumatic and electric actuators.
- Suitable for isolation in CDUs and rack-level cooling loops.
2. Stilonn Stainless Steel Ball Valves – 2-Piece & 3-Piece Series
When combined with Stilonn actuators, these stainless steel ball valves are a reliable platform for liquid-cooling applications:
- Full-port design for maximum flow and low pressure drop.
- High cycle life for frequent operation.
- ISO-mounting pads for easy actuation.
- Suitable for supply/return headers, heat exchanger skids, and bypass lines.
3. Stilonn 3-Way Sanitary Ball Valves – Flow Diversion Series
Stilonn 3-way sanitary ball valves help manage multiple cooling paths with minimal dead space:
- Tri-clamp, hygienic design for clean and efficient coolant routing.
- Ideal for loop switching and redundancy management.
- Useful where parallel circuits or mixed flow configurations are required.
4. Stilonn Electric Actuators – Compact & Intelligent Series
For data centers that prefer electrical automation, Stilonn’s electric actuators offer:
- Precise valve positioning and repeatability.
- Compact design for tight installation spaces.
- Feedback options for integration into BMS/PLC systems.
- Low maintenance and quiet operation.
5. Stilonn V-Port Control Valves – For Accurate Flow Modulation
For applications that require more than simple on/off service, Stilonn V-port valves provide:
- Predictable and repeatable flow characteristics.
- Stable control of coolant flow in variable-load conditions.
- Compatibility with positioners and control signals for automated systems.
Beyond Valves — Expert Support You Can Trust
Selecting the right valves for a new application area—especially one as critical as data center infrastructure—
involves many technical considerations. Stilonn goes beyond product supply to offer:
- Application evaluation & sizing support based on your operating parameters.
- CAD models and technical documentation including 2D drawings and 3D STEP files.
- Fast quotation turnaround for projects and large RFQs.
- Responsive technical assistance from design through commissioning.
Our goal is to be a reliable engineering partner, not just a component supplier.
Let’s Discuss Your Cooling System Requirements
If you are evaluating valve options for a liquid-cooling system, or exploring sanitary valve technology for future data center projects, Stilonn Valves & Controls Pvt. Ltd. is ready to help.
Our experienced team can guide you through suitable configurations, share CAD files, and support your design and implementation process.
