Low GWP F-gases and high-performance data centre cooling

Data centres are increasingly designed to deliver more power in less space while supporting the rapid growth of AI and high-performance computing (HPC). Two recently launched equipment families use low GWP R-454B (F-gas GWP 465) and ultra-low GWP HFO-1234ze(E) (F-gas GWP 1.3).

According to the manufacturer, the upgraded indirect evaporative free cooling unit (100 to 450kW), using low GWP R-454B is designed to cool data centre applications with the future in mind and is available in Europe. It combines the capabilities of indirect air-to-air heat exchange and evaporative cooling principles in one single unit. Together with the new composite heat exchanger, the new inverter driven compressor technology, the multi-step evaporative system, the new DX priority control logic functionality, it provides even higher efficiency (significantly enhance annual efficiency by 5 - 19% compared to previous technologies), guarantees compliance with major bans and regulations worldwide for years to come and proves to be as a turnkey solution for rapid deployment facilitating scalability and easy maintenance. Through this cutting-edge, patented technology, the unit can achieve pPUE levels of 1.05 allowing data centre owners to reach top energy efficiency, as well as minimizing their operating costs. Power usage effectiveness or PUE is a standard efficiency metric for power consumption in data centres. A simple definition of PUE is the ratio of total facility energy to IT equipment energy used in a data centre. pPUE is partial power usage effectiveness.

The same manufacturer has launched a trim cooler, a water-cooled heat exchanger which is used in addition to an air-cooled heat exchanger, using ultra-low GWP HFO-1234ze(E). According to the manufacturer, the trim cooler supports air and liquid cooling applications for AI and HPC deployments. The system operates effectively with fluctuating water temperatures. It also supports diverse climate conditions for hybrid-cooled or liquid-cooled data centres and 'AI factories,' offering up to a 70 percent reduction in annual cooling energy consumption via free-cooling and mechanical operation, and 40 percent space savings compared to traditional systems. Cooling capacity is up to 2.6MW and 3MW in the air-cooled configuration.

Sources: Manufacturer’s information, Data Centre Dynamics, Cooling Post, Digital Infra Network, Refindustry