Data center air corridor isolation systems. Part 3. Refrigeration systems for high-load data centers

The isolation options discussed in the first two parts are more suitable for use in buildings that were not originally designed to function as a data center. Each of them has certain limitations on scaling: it is either price or performance per rack. New high-performance data centers require other - modernized solutions, which, in turn, determines the peculiarities of approaches to the construction of premises for a data center.







Hot corridor



Operating principle:



The cold flow is supplied to the total volume of the turbine hall, the hot flow is removed using an exhaust duct.



Installation of racks:



The cabinets are installed in rows with their backs facing each other. The cold stream can enter through the raised floor, or be blown out by air conditioners directly into the general volume of the hall. Hot air is discharged through the exhaust duct into the plenum (space behind the false ceiling) and back into the air conditioners.



Pros:



  • Provides a tight arrangement of cabinets in the room,
  • It is possible to build a refrigeration system both on the basis of conventional cabinet air conditioners and using systems such as Kyoto Cooling to achieve the required energy efficiency,
  • Easily scales within not only one, but several corridors,
  • Comfortable finding of staff in the room.


Minuses:



There are special requirements for the premises, the implementation of which is possible only at the stage of building construction.



Design features:



  • Requires a room with a high ceiling and the ability to create a dedicated plenum for the removal of hot air,
  • The container is insulated along the outer perimeter of the corridor,
  • Enclosures require leading edge insulation and air damper as well as insulation on all roofs,
  • For the end cabinets of the corridor, insulation of the sides of the cabinet and the plinth along the outer perimeter is required,
  • The fume duct requires an insulated fit to the upper plenum.


Suitable for:



Medium and large machine rooms with high load (up to 10 kW per rack).



Hot Aisle Insulation



Operating principle:



The cold stream can enter through the raised floor or be blown out by air conditioners directly into the general volume of the hall. Hot air is removed using a vertical exhaust duct mounted on the cabinet. It is thrown out through the box into the plenum and fed back to the air conditioners.



Installation of racks:



Cabinets can be installed in any order, but to optimize the space of the turbine room, they are usually placed in rows.



Pros:



  • The solution is easily scalable within one or several corridors,
  • Comfortable finding of staff in the room.


Minuses:



  • Specialized server cabinets required,
  • The server room should be high enough to accommodate the upper plenum.


Design features:



  • Server cabinets must be deep enough to accommodate a hot zone in the rear of the cabinet and allow for ducting,
  • The room should provide for a plenum for returning hot air to air conditioners.


Suitable for:

medium and large machine rooms with high load (up to 10 kW per rack).



Cold corridor



Operating principle:



The cold flow is fed into the closed corridor through a vertical duct mounted on the cabinet. Hot air is discharged into the general volume of the hall and goes back to the air conditioners. This solution is used when chillers are installed above the turbine hall to minimize the air flow path.



Installation of racks:



The cabinets are installed in rows with their front side facing each other.



Pros:



  • Provides a tight arrangement of cabinets in the room,
  • Convenient when feeding a cold stream from above,
  • The solution is easily scalable within one or several corridors.


Minuses:



  • There are special requirements for the premises, the implementation of which is possible only at the construction stage,
  • Uncomfortable presence of staff in the room


Design features:



  • Requires a room with a high ceiling and the ability to create a dedicated plenum for a cold flow,
  • The container is insulated along the inner perimeter of the corridor,
  • Enclosures require leading edge insulation and air damper,
  • An insulated fit to the top plenum is required for a vertical box


Suitable for:



Medium and large machine rooms with high load (up to 10 kW per rack).



All Articles