Evaporative cooling system adds only 0.05 to PUE for data centre
4D Data Centres in Surrey has completed a 500 kW EcoCooling evaporative-cooling scheme for its data centre. The project followed a successful evaluation of the low-energy cooling strategy in an existing UPS area and reflects 4D’s strategy of working towards a PUE of 1.1. The system uses 90% less energy than the previous cooling system.
There are 17 EcoCooling CREC (computer room evaporative coolers) to provide over 50 m3/s of air to the cold aisle of the data centre. Extraction is by seven EC axial fans. Initial results show that the cooling system and extract fans add only 0.05 to the PUE.
A cooling system designed and made by EcoCooling uses a Schneider Crouzet PLC to control coolers, ventilation fans and dampers to provide ASHRAE-compliant temperature conditions.
Since the ambient in the UK is so low most of the time, it is possible at no extra costs to run the data centre at a set temperature of 18.5°C, which reduces temperature-related failures. Cold temperatures that can cause non-compliant conditions are prevented using an attemperation system that enables cool air to be mixed with return warm air.
