In today’s fast-paced digital era, the demand for cooling in data centers and server rooms is on the rise. Ensuring efficient and stable operation of equipment hinges on the careful selection of precision air conditioning units. However, the various types and technical specifications of precision air conditioners can make it a daunting task to clearly articulate your cooling requirements when inquiring for your quotations.
In this article, we will leverage years of experience in selecting and designing precision air conditioning solutions for clients. We aim to provide key aspects for selecting precision ac in critical environments from the customer’s perspective to enhance your communication with manufacturers or other suppliers regarding your precision air conditioning needs. If you are unfamiliar with precision air conditioning products and are concerned about accurately describing your requirements, leading to unmet needs, we encourage you to continue reading to prepare for future discussions.
Before we start discussing how to select an appropriate PACs, it may be helpful to provide an overview of its basic principles. As illustrated in the following picture, the principle of a standard air-cooled precision air conditioning system can be described as follows:
Compressor: The cycle begins with the compressor, which draws in low-pressure, gaseous refrigerant (approximately 12°C) and compresses it into high-pressure, high-temperature gas (approximately 80°C).
Condenser: The high-pressure gas enters the condenser, where it releases heat through the cooling action of a fan and condenses into high-pressure, ambient-temperature liquid (approximately 35°C).
Expansion Valve: The condensed liquid refrigerant then flows through the expansion valve. Inside the expansion valve, the refrigerant undergoes pressure reduction, resulting in a temperature drop, transforming it into low-pressure, low-temperature liquid (approximately 7°C).
Evaporator: The low-temperature liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator, absorbing heat from the surrounding environment (such as the room), causing it to vaporize again into low-pressure gas, thereby achieving a cooling effect.
Cycle: After evaporation, the gaseous refrigerant returns to the compressor (temperature returning to approximately 12°C), completing the cycle.
Once you have identified the cooling method for your precision air conditioning, it’s essential to provide specific cooling load requirements.
First, if you already have specific data on cooling load needs, you should communicate this directly to the manufacturer to ensure that the selected air conditioning unit has a cooling capacity equal to or greater than your requirements.
Second, if you do not have clear cooling load specifications, you can estimate them based on the total load of the server room. This involves calculations based on room size and equipment heat output, using the following formulas:
Room Cooling Load = Room Area × 0.2 kW/m²
Equipment Heat Output = (Total Cabinet Equipment Load kW or UPS Capacity) × 0.8
If load information is unavailable, the cooling load can also be calculated as:
Cooling Load = Room Area × (0.35 – 0.5) kW/m²
Understanding these calculation formulas isn’t mandatory; manufacturers will perform these calculations once they have enough information. After you get your needed cooling capacity, it’s time to select types and specifications of precision ac to match with your requirements.
After you got your calculated cooling capcity for your IT space, it is time to figure out how to make it cool. There are four types of cooling methods used in precision cooling system of data centers, telecom or other critical environments. Each cooling technology is designed to adapt to specific environmental conditions.
During your discussions with manufacturers, they will help you identify the most suitable cooling method based on your geographical context. While these cooling methods can meet most cooling needs in critical environments, if you require higher efficiency and reliability, or if your equipment has high computing density or load, you might want to explore dual-source precision air conditioning 或 liquid cooling solutions for data centers.
A careful analysis of your location to set up your cooling system has always been essential to minimize your costs, lower your Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) in critical environments, and also prolong your equipment’s lifespan. Generally, what you should consider is all about humidity and temperature. Based on this, you should think about your geo location such as your latitude, atitude.
Your geo location is a key aspect which we often think about while confirming the types of your precision ac, for its implying whether your cooling syetem get a stable cold source from the nature. Then, we are able to make clear if the free cooling and air cooled pac can be used in your area, which means more cost-efficient solutions are optional. Your latitude and altitude are two key aspects here we need to focus on:
Higher latitudes typically provide more stable lower temperatures, allowing data center stakeholders to take advantage of a consistent natural cold source, which can help lower energy costs.Generally speaking, when the latitude exceeds 30°, especially in northern countries or regions, the use of natural cooling systems becomes more economical and feasible.
Similar to latitude, higher altitudes result in lower air temperatures. For every 1,000 meters of elevation gain, the temperature typically decreases by approximately 6.5°C. This cooling effect is particularly advantageous for data centers, as it also provides a stable and consistent source of cold air.
In Colorado, USA, where many data centers are located at elevations exceeding 2,500 meters, they utilize natural cooling techniques that greatly reduce energy consumption, achieving energy savings of 30-60% compared to traditional air conditioning systems. Such implementations demonstrate how leveraging altitude can lead to significant operational efficiencies in cooling strategies.
If a stable cold source is available at your location for setting up a data center or telecom station, a cooling system with free cooling or an air-cooled design will be your best choice.
As you may know, the evaporation of liquids absorbs heat from the surrounding environment. Based on this principle, water-cooled precision air conditioning systems are designed to complement free cooling and air-cooled precision cooling systems, particularly when the distance between outdoor and indoor units poses challenges.
However, not every location is suitable for selecting a water-cooled design. One key reason is that evaporation is significantly influenced by environmental humidity levels. High humidity can slow down or even halt the evaporation process, diminishing the effectiveness of water-cooled systems.
In regions with consistently high humidity, the cooling performance of water-cooled systems may be compromised, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced efficiency. Therefore, it’s essential to assess local humidity conditions when considering water-cooled precision cooling solutions. In contrast, in areas with lower humidity levels, water-cooled systems can operate more effectively, offering substantial energy savings and improved cooling efficiency.
( You might like: Humidity as a Hidden Barrier: Why It Complicates Choosing Water-Cooled Precision Air Conditioners )
Besides what we mentioned up there, there are some tips that we want to share with you: Firstly, If outdoor conditions exceed 45 degrees Celsius, a larger outdoor unit will be needed. Secondly, If outdoor conditions exceed 50 degrees Celsius, high-temperature air conditioning should be chosen. Last but not least, for special conditions (such as proximity to coastlines, oil fields, or areas with corrosive gases), anti-corrosion treatments for the outdoor unit are necessary. In the context of oil and gas environments, explosion-proof measures must also be considered.
Different models of precision cooling systems may be designed with varying types of air supply. For instance, upflow from the air diffuser typically corresponds to air conditioners with lower cooling capacities, while larger room air conditioning systems tend to use either upflow or downflow designs. There are five methods for your reference:
The methods of air supply sometimes correspond to different requirements for cooling capacity. For small precision cooling systems like Soeteck 7.5-27.5kW Room Cooling, an air diffuser is generally designed and installed into the body of the PAC, which means you cannot choose to remove it from your final quotation list. However, for larger scale room cooling precision ACs, the air supply methods are optional. Clearly specifying your cooling requirements will help your suppliers design a better solution for you.
There are several aspects of pac installation conditions influencing your cooling solutions. Generally, the distance between indoor and outdoor units, and the space of you pac installation site. Basing on our experience and knowledge, we share some potential reasons why you need to pay attention to them:
Distance between indoor and outdoor units is often a “tough guy” for some large project. Because too long distance will lead to low pressure in the refrigerant lines. This may result in inadequate cooling, reduced efficiency, and increased energy consumption, which means a higher PUE. In this case, free cooling system and air-cooled system are probably not options for you. However, for the water-cooled PACs and chilled-water PACs, it will never be a problem.
( You might like: What Are the Differences Between Water-Cooled Precision PACs and Chilled-Water PACs)
The installation space is essential for selecting the appropriate precision cooling system. Air-cooled systems need sufficient outdoor ventilation space and proximity to indoor units to maintain efficiency. Natural cooling systems depend on proper fresh air pathways and must avoid contamination from heat sources; limited space can reduce their effectiveness. Water-cooled systems require outdoor space for cooling towers and piping, while chilled-water units need access to centralized cooling lines and adequate ceiling or floor clearance.
When selecting air conditioning units, you need to verify power requirements, including voltage type and frequency. Different industries and regions have distinct power standards, which can influence the design of precision air conditioning units. Here are some common power standards:
For manufacturers, special power requirements may involve non-standard customization, so it’s essential to communicate this information during your discussions to ensure the successful operation of your equipment upon delivery.
Effectively communicating your precision air conditioning requirements to manufacturers is crucial for ensuring optimal performance in your server room. Focus on providing clear cooling load calculations, specifying air discharge methods, and detailing installation conditions. By doing so, you will not only facilitate a better understanding of your needs but also enhance your collaboration with suppliers. Consider creating a checklist of essential requirements to streamline your discussions and remain open to future scalability in your cooling solutions. Engaging with experts can further enhance your ability to secure efficient and reliable cooling systems tailored to your operational demands.
We are a company dedicated to serving customers worldwide, offering a complete range of precision air conditioning solutions. From product selection, production, and delivery to after-sales service, we have a comprehensive team for sales, technical support, research and development, and after-sales, ensuring that your needs are met and your equipment’s reliability is guaranteed. Whether for pre-sales consultation, video calls, or on-site inspections, we encourage you to reach out to us.
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