3 Cool Technologies for Data Center Cooling

As IT power consumption continues to rise, so do cooling costs, which can account for more than half of total data center operating costs. These innovative technologies can help reduce those costs.

1. Containment curtains

Hot aisle/cold aisle configurations are popular for reducing cooling costs. However, the mixing of hot and cold air must be minimized, which is possible through the use of flexible plastic strip curtains or wall panels.

Containment curtains are easy to install and customize. They prevent cold air from mixing with the return air and can increase cooling efficiency and capacity. These curtains can also extend equipment life and lower replacement costs.

Proper operation requires blocking all gaps in raised floors and spaces between cabinets. To meet fire protection standards, sprinkler systems may need to be redesigned so they cover all areas of contained aisles. Fire-rated curtain materials are also available.

2. Indirect evaporative cooling

In these systems, a primary air stream is supplemented by a secondary air stream, which is cooled by the evaporation of liquid water droplets. Once cooled, the secondary stream goes through a heat exchanger, which cools the primary stream. A blower circulates this cooled primary air.

The advantages of indirect evaporative cooling compared to direct evaporative cooling include no contaminants from pollutants and tighter control of humidity levels. Direct systems also add moisture to the incoming air, increasing its humidity while decreasing the temperature.

3. Refrigerant economizers

Conventional economizers use either cool outside air (air-side) brought into the building or a water (water-side) loop to transfer heat outside. Refrigerant economizers use a specialized fluid loop with a separate refrigerant pump to exchange heat with the outside air. These economizers can eliminate the use of water in free cooling altogether and use less energy.

Two compressors are typically used with refrigerant economizers. One switches off when the direct expansion cooling system switches to refrigerant economizer cooling, depending on outdoor temperatures. The second compressor will also turn off if the outside temperature is low enough. Variable speed pumps and controls provide automatic switching between compressor and economizer modes almost instantaneously.

By using these technologies, your data center can enjoy energy savings, improved performance and lower operating costs. That’s pretty cool, indeed.