Data ending up on servers in data centers

With more and more data ending up on servers in data centers, the need to protect that information continues to grow. One of the biggest issues in the centers where the servers are stored is making sure that temperatures stay at a steady 25 to 30 degrees C. It can be costly to maintain that around the clock, but the use of adiabatic cooling helps keep temperatures steady at much more affordable prices.

Adiabatic cooling

Adiabatic cooling is often referred to as evaporative cooling, as when water evaporates it takes the heat with it when it goes. This is the principle on which this type of system operates, with buildings the size of data centers using a centrifugal fan and evaporative filter pads. The air generated by the fan, which often pulls in outside air, is passed through wet evaporative filters to produce air that is cooler than other systems, whilst also using a whole lot less energy. To get an idea of how this all makes sense, try a little experiment. Hold your finger in front of your mouth and blow on them. Once you have done that, wet your fingers and blow on them again, noticing that it feels a good deal cooler this time around.

While the systems used in data centers and other large buildings are pretty complex, but you can actually use a pretty basic version of the system in your own home. It is not uncommon for Australian residents who live in particularly hot climates to put together a makeshift cooling system using a sheet in the way that you would evaporative cooler pads. They basically hang the wet sheet on a line in the room that they want to keep cool. Once the water evaporates and dries the sheet, it takes the heat with it as it goes

Drizzles water over the evaporation filters

In the data center, there is a constant supply if water, usually delivered by a low-energy pump, that lightly drizzles water over the evaporation filters. A fan than passes air through those filters, evaporating some of the water on the way. The result is a blast of cool air that is delivered in a much more cost effective way than other cooling systems. There is always the possibility that the humidity in the space may end up exceeding the 80% guideline imposed by the ASHRAE. In that case, secondary drying filters are added into the mix.

The cool air that is produced via this filtration and evaporation system is directed to the servers and IT equipment through ducting. If this is something that you are thinking of having done in your building, it is important that you only deal with companies that have the experience necessary to install the system correctly and up to ASHRAE standards. They can tell you which type of fan and evaporative pads are best suited to your facility and the temperatures you need to maintain it. They can also make sure that installation and any future maintenance is properly taken care of.