Exploring data center cooling
C02 as a solution
AEI’s investigation into local, liquid-based cooling systems for laboratories informed simultaneous research for corresponding data center applications.
Our testing of chilled beam technology coincided with early research of liquid CO2 cooling systems being developed for use in high-density data center applications. This rack-mounted technology uses fans to pull air through equipment cabinets and in contact with a CO2 refrigerant circulated through a vertical coil. After our initial investigation into this prototype technology, AEI forged a relationship with one manufacturer and assumed the role of technical consultant to help advance the technology for introduction to the marketplace.
AEI has since co-presented this technology to the marketplace with the manufacturer, not as an endorsement of a specific product but as a way of helping the industry move beyond incremental energy efficiency improvements. At a pressurized liquid state of approximately 15 degrees centigrade CO2 has a high volumetric cooling capacity similar to water at the same temperature and presents an advantageous alternative to other refrigerants, including being non-ozone depleting, non-flammable, non-conductive, gaseous at atmospheric pressure and having a global warming potential of 1.
