Data Center Cooling

In order to maintain an appropriate temperature and humidity level for the equipment’s best performance and long life, data center cooling involves eliminating heat produced by IT equipment and other electronic components. High temperatures can affect the overall operation of the data center by causing equipment failure, reducing reliability, and reducing energy efficiency.

Different kinds of data center cooling systems exist, such as:

1. Air-cooled systems: These systems chill the air in the data center using air conditioners. It is among the most straightforward and economical solutions for small to medium-sized data centers.
2. Systems that use chilled water to cool the air within the data center are known as water-cooled systems. Through a network of pipes and cooling coils, chilled water is circulated, absorbing heat produced by the IT equipment.
3. Indirect air systems: Indirect air systems divide hot and cold air in the data center using heat exchangers. Cool air is recirculated back into the data center while heated air is expelled outside the structure.
4. Liquid immersion cooling: This innovative technique includes immersing IT equipment in a non-conductive liquid that absorbs the heat produced by the apparatus. This technique can drastically save cooling expenses and is quite effective.
5. Chilled water systems: In this kind of system, a chilled water plant supplies the cooling medium, which is then used to cool the air inside the data center by circulating it through a system of pipes and heat exchangers.
6. Direct expansion systems: To cool the air in the data center, direct expansion (DX) systems employ refrigerant. To remove heat from the air, the refrigerant is compressed and expanded, and the cooled air is then circulated throughout the data center.