Our client specialises in the development and operation of data centres and required critical cooling for MMR – a key location in a datacentre, where all the cables and fibres from the data centre racks arrive.
The Cold Control team installed a Vertiv ™ in-row cooling system for the client.
This system offers exceptionally efficient cooling directly in front of a line of IT racks, delivering precisely cooled air to the crucial areas where it is most needed. This ensures that IT deployments remain online and operate at peak performance levels. The units are designed with scalable in-row cooling capacity and a compact footprint, providing flexibility and optimisation for the available space.
What Is In-Row Cooling?
In-row cooling refers to a specific cooling system used in data centres to manage the temperature and airflow of IT equipment. It is a type of precision cooling technology designed to efficiently cool specific rows of server racks.
How Does In-Row Cooling Work?
In-row cooling systems are placed between rows of server racks, and they work by pulling in hot air exhausted from the servers and cooling it before releasing it back into the server room. This helps maintain a consistent and optimal temperature for the IT equipment, preventing overheating and ensuring efficient operation.
Placement: In-row cooling units are typically installed between rows of server racks in a data centre. These units can be positioned either in the hot aisle (where the exhaust air from the servers is released) or in the cold aisle (where the air is drawn into the servers).
Airflow Management: The in-row cooling system is designed to handle the hot air generated by the IT equipment. It pulls the hot air directly from the server racks, providing a more localized and focused cooling approach.
Cooling Mechanism: In-row cooling units usually consist of fans, heat exchangers, and refrigerant coils. The fans draw in the hot air from the data centre environment.
Heat Exchange: Evaporator coils, commonly referred to as DX (direct expansion) coils, are used to cool and/or remove moisture from air streams. A liquid-vapor mixture of refrigerant enters the coil and cools the air as it evaporates, eventually leaving the coil as a gas.
Circulation: The cooled air is then pushed back into the data centre, creating a controlled and optimized environment for the IT equipment.
Temperature Control: In-row cooling systems are equipped with sensors and controls to monitor the temperature in real-time. The system adjusts the cooling capacity based on the heat load, ensuring that the temperature remains within the specified range.
By providing cooling directly within the rows of server racks, in-row cooling helps maintain a more uniform temperature distribution, improves energy efficiency, and allows for a more responsive cooling solution compared to traditional perimeter cooling systems. This precision cooling approach is especially important in large data centres where maintaining optimal operating temperatures is critical for the performance and reliability of IT equipment.
In-Row Cooling Solutions for Data Centres
Get in touch with our experienced team to discuss your bespoke requirements for in-row cooling.