Cooling Systems

The equipment in a data center functions best at relatively low temperatures – but at the same time generates enough heat to damage the equipment, or even start a fire. Keeping modern, dense data centers cool is mission-critical, and accounts for as much as 50% of their total power usage. To meet this demand – while driving down operational costs – many computer room designs incorporate chiller systems.

Cooling systems are a highly efficient means of moving heat from one area (such as a data center or even specific equipment in a data center) to another (such as the great outdoors). Chillers are so effective and efficient that they are often used to help cool large venues and critical equipment, such as:

*  Mid- to large-sized industrial complexes and commercial facilities

*  Sports arenas, including the ice in skating rinks

*  Machines in tool and die cutting, and other industrial applications

*  Medical equipment such as MRIs

*  Data centers and server racks!

Part of the reason data centers need a cooling system that’s efficient enough to freeze the ice in a curling rink is because of how dense modern computing systems have become. Since its earliest days, IT has focused on gaining improvements by fitting more and more equipment into smaller and smaller areas. But when heat-generating equipment – such as servers – are packed densely together, they can melt their own solder and wiring, creating shorts and damaging equipment.

Chiller systems are part of the solution, efficiently and economically cooling these systems down enough to enable them to perform optimally. New chiller designs include bearingless systems that increase the efficiencies of the fans and reduce energy loss, smart technologies that allow the compressors to work only as hard as the temperature in the data center dictates, and even next-generation “cold batteries” that store unused cold temperatures, to help balance the data room’s temperature over time.

Should a chiller fail or need repair, its air handling system will simply blow hot air. For that reason, chillers often have dedicated backup generators in case of a power failure. Another approach to maintaining uptime is designing modularity into the system, to increase both redundancy and efficiency. By installing multiple, smaller air handlers and chiller units, each with their own power supplies, data centers and other telecom equipment are better protected from unexpected brownouts and power outages. At the same time, modularity allows cooling to be provided more precisely where it’s needed, lowering costs.

CoolAer’s air-cooled chillers:

*  Are designed for exterior installations

*  Feature scroll- or screw-type compressors to match capacity requirements

*  Use environmentally friendly refrigerants

*  Have a low-noise option that insulates the condensers

CoolAer’s water cooled-chillers:

*  Are designed for interior installations

*  Feature electronic compression valves to precisely control evaporation

*  Have a low noise option