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Supplemental Cooling Solutions
Hardware has changed dramatically over the last few
years. New 1U servers or blades, while much more
efficient in terms of computing, require more power
and cooling than their predecessors. This
fundamental change can overwhelm a data center that
was not designed for this power footprint.
But there are alternatives to new construction.
Supplemental/spot cooling solutions can add cooling
capacity without rearranging cabinets, re-racking
equipment, or impacting your operations. You can
optimize your environment without breaking the bank
or breaking ground.
What is Supplemental Cooling?
Rear Door Heat Exchangers
Blade chassis can produce Delta-Ts of 50 degrees,
which may be beyond the capacity of existing CRAC
coils. Rear Door Heat Exchangers condition the hot
air and return it to the room at a more palatable
temperature, aiding struggling CRACs.
Installed on racks, these units do not take up floor
space—an important point in small size
installations.
The rear door heat exchanger requires a chilled
water source and a connection to a remote chiller
system.
Overhead Heat Exchangers
Overhead heat exchangers suspend above data center
rows, complementing an existing hot aisle, cold
aisle arrangement. The overhead module pulls in hot
air as it rises from the hot aisle, conditions it,
and returns it to the cold aisle. The existing CRAC
units, while providing baseline cooling and humidity
control, no longer have to work as hard.
The overhead units require a refrigerant pump and a
remote heat rejection source: either a chiller or
condenser, depending on the infrastructure
available.
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Server Room Air Conditioners
For smaller size/load installations, spot
air conditioners can make a big difference.
These units provide the airflow and
temperature control absent from commercial
comfort cooling. The ability to rack, stack,
or hang the AC provides added flexibility.
Small air conditioners do not require remote
heat rejection. But the integrated condenser
will discharge hot air into the room. |
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