Data centres play a vital role in our digital lives, but their operations can generate a lot of heat, which requires effective cooling systems to maintain. Here Kalpesh Shah, Head of Sales - Process Water, looks at how to optimise and protect data centre cooling systems with feedwater treatment.
Modern data centres are remarkably technologically complex, and keeping them running safely and efficiently requires continual close monitoring and management. Maintaining the right temperature is among the most important various tasks facing data centre managers. Should the temperature and humidity rise to excessive levels inside the data centre, condensation can start to form - thereby damaging the machines within. It should go without saying that this can cause massive damage and disruption and that it, therefore, has to be avoided at all costs.
The demand for advanced computing power rises year after year, but the more powerful the system, the more heat it generates. As data centres grow, they place higher demands on cooling equipment. Packing as much kilowatt and computer usage into as small a space as possible is key to reducing the cost and size of the facility. In doing this, data centres increase the power density of their systems, drawing more power, and generating more heat per unit area.
To make sure these powerful systems are in top shape and not overheating, cooling systems have to adapt and grow as well. All cooling equipment must reject heat to the atmosphere and most designers use either evaporative cooling, air-cooling or adiabatic cooling.
Regardless of the cooling method selected, treatment of the water used for the cooling process is a crucial consideration. Not only for the protection and maintenance of site assets but also to help maximise heat transfer efficiency and ensure the cooling system is working as effectively as possible. VWT UK has led the industry in cooling water treatment designed for this purpose.
VWT UK has a wide range of products suitable for the treatment of data centre influent from a variety of water sources. These products utilise technologies such as media and cartridge filtration. Ion exchange (IX), reverse osmosis (RO) and UV.
Recycle and reuse
Data centre operators are increasingly being called upon to make their sustainability initiatives more inclusive by tracking the use of a broader range of resources that are consumed and generated during the entire lifecycle of their server farms.
To reduce a data centre’s cooling water usage, a number of our technologies can be tailored for water recycle and reuse. This is useful for data centres looking to take the more environmentally friendly approach of reusing reclaimed water.
For example, water that is rejected by a reverse osmosis (RO) unit – which would usually be discharged - can be fed through a secondary membrane process. The permeate from this RO can then be recycled back to the feed of the main system. As such, the total discharge volume is significantly lowered and overall water use is minimised.
Another example would be the treatment of the water rejected by the cooling tower through filtration and membrane treatment for reuse.
Chemical approach
Finally, selecting the right chemical water treatment for your cooling water can also help to optimise the entire water cycle of your site. A tailored chemical programme can extend a system’s lifespan, reduce unnecessary downtime as well as aid compliance and risk mitigation. This is all achieved through effective protection against scale deposition, corrosion, fouling, microbiological growth and legionella.
At VWT UK, our comprehensive range of patented Hydrex™ water treatment chemicals, including both organic and inorganic solutions, are designed specifically to suit a wide range of water treatment requirements. We can also provide associated services such as service contracts and site audits if required, to help you optimise operating costs and minimise chemical consumption.
Water Technical Services
We offer a comprehensive range of water technical and water management services. From plant maintenance to water-saving tools, training and support, our experienced team is always available to assist you.
These services have been created by a team of water industry experts based on customer feedback and market needs. Select the services you need to maintain uptime and reduce operational risk. We take care of water so you don't have to.
Our team of knowledgeable engineers will take care to ensure that service visits are on time and when a rapid response is called for we're ready to react 24/7.
Our water treatment experts are keen to work with your onsite team to understand your facility, to help you optimise your assets, reduce water usage and enhance site resilience.
From design, build, start-up and commissioning – as well as retrofit and refurbishment - VWT UK can provide water analysis and testing as well as design and supply when it comes to chemical feed, control and automation equipment. As operations begin and progress, we can also be on hand to provide ongoing chemical supply and support, water treatment equipment and onsite consultation.
Contact an expert here and optimise your data centre now.
Author | Kalpesh Shah
Kalpesh Shah is the Industrial Sales Manager for Veolia Water Technologies UK. He started out working within internal sales in the early 90's before moving into international sales. In 2000, his focus led him into project management where he worked on a variety of complex and demanding projects with clients ranging from the NHS, Industrial and Pharmaceutical, for over a decade. He then moved into pharmaceutical business development which he did successfully until his promotion to Industrial Sales Manager. Kalpesh has 26 years of extensive experience with all types of industrial water treatment systems and processes. He is able to support his clients with the design and implementation of efficient water treatment systems using an array of technologies.
