Cooling

Understanding Data Center Cooling

So, the implementation of efficient data center cooling is important, but how does it work? Whether it is air-to-air, liquid-to-air, or the most modern liquid-to-liquid systems, energy-efficient fans are typically necessary for heat exchange within the facility. The process involves the exchange of hot air with cooler air.

While seemingly simple, there are diverse approaches to this essential task, with new techniques continually emerging to create more energy-efficient and cost-effective data center facilities capable of supporting complex colocation and hyperscale strategies.

Every data center presents unique challenges and requirements. Companies like ebm-papst offer a wide range of cooling solutions to meet specific facility needs, including cooling individual server rows, implementing modular designs, inclusion in dry coolers, or integrating cooling towers. Some fan types are more suitable for certain situations, such as:

Axial fans are increasingly used in data centers located near industrial or residential areas to comply with noise protection regulations. For example, ebm-papst’s AxiBlade emphasizes high power density with low noise emissions, while AxiEco is suitable for applications requiring high-pressure increases. Centrifugal fans are also prevalent in this sector. Specialized designs, such as the RadiPac series, optimize airflow characteristics to reduce energy consumption and work especially well in fan arrays. These fans operate within broad speed ranges, enabling energy savings across a diverse range of operating conditions. Enhanced Reliability through Resonance Detection Depending on how they’re installed, any fan can experience resonance within certain speed ranges. This resonance can harm the fan’s bearings, causing premature failure. While operators can detect these vibrations, they can’t easily eliminate them.

That’s where automatic resonance detection comes in. This feature stops fans from running at critical speeds, extending their lifespan and reliability. During product commissioning, a test startup is conducted to analyze vibration speeds across the entire speed range, from standstill to maximum speed. If excessive vibrations are found in specific ranges, the control software adjusts itself, avoiding those speeds in the future. Operators can also manually adjust the software settings, giving them full control. Additionally, a built-in vibration sensor supports condition monitoring, allowing for better planning of preventive maintenance and service tasks. Furthermore, this feature, which is offered by ebm-papst, can be seamlessly incorporated into a routine preventative maintenance schedule within the building management system or data center infrastructure system, allowing for full automation.