As a result of processing and storing an increasing amount of data, data centers are producing more heat than ever before. Because of the heat, server rooms need to be equipped with efficient data center cooling solutions to keep the computers functioning properly.
Methods Of Cooling For Data Centers
Because there are so many various approaches to data center cooling, it could be difficult to understand what differentiates each one from the others. The following is an examination of the operation of the various data center cooling technologies for each kind of system.
1. Computer Room Air Conditioner And Handlers
Even though computer room air conditioners, also known as CRACs, seem the same as residential units, their primary function is to cool the air in server rooms. The air is dragged over the refrigerant as the compressor draws air in, which results in the room having cooler air. Because of their low price and high efficiency, CRAC units are the most often used type of system.
2. In-Row Cooling Units
In-row cooling units provide you the ability to keep an eye on the temperatures at the intakes while yet maintaining control of the airflow. The components are installed “in-row” with one another by positioning them in the spaces in between the server cabinets. In a hot aisle/cold aisle configuration, they use horizontal airflow to draw warm exhaust from the hot aisle, cool it down, and then push it out into the cold aisle. This increases efficiency because hot and cold air does not mix. This approach of separating a data center into hot aisles and cool aisles is an alternative to CRAC that is effective in data centers of small and medium sizes.
3. Calibrated Vectored Cooling
By streamlining the airflow path and taking measures to control heat, calibrated vectored cooling, abbreviated as CVC, makes the airflow in the server room as effective as it possibly can be. It does this by passing the cool air through the components of the equipment that are the hottest and most important. The objective of this strategy is to reduce the total number of fans and power consumption while simultaneously increasing the number of servers that can be cooled by a given unit.
4. Direct-To-Chip Cooling
The Direct-to-Chip architecture is a kind of data center cooling that employs the utilization of liquids as the medium via which heat is transferred. Through these pipes, the coolant makes its way to the cold plate as part of this system. This cool plate is built inside the processors that are located on the motherboard, which helps to distribute heat. This heat is sent into the chilled water loop, which ultimately leads to the chiller at the plant. Because it directly cools the processors, this technique is among the most effective that are currently available.
5. Evaporative Cooling The natural process of evaporation is harnessed to provide energy for the cooling system in an evaporative cooling system. Evaporative cooling, as a result of this, is one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally friendly methods of cooling, and it also helps reduce overall energy consumption. This technique involves exposing heated air to water to cause the water to evaporate, which in turn removes heat from the air. Evaporation is made easier by using cooling towers, and the water can originate from a misting system, a filter, or a mat. The heat is dissipated into the air that is found outside.