Overview
White space air cooling in data center
Continuous monitoring to prevent overheating and equipment damage
When cooling server rooms with air, the heat generated must ultimately be released into the atmosphere in order to maintain stable operating conditions. This can be achieved either by transferring the heat energy to a secondary air stream via air-to-air heat exchangers or by transferring the heat from the warm return air to a liquid via liquid-to-air heat exchangers for subsequent dissipation outside the building. The chosen approach depends on factors such as climatic conditions, required cooling capacity, redundancy strategy, and overall energy efficiency goals. In both approaches, water can be integrated to improve cooling capacity or create more favorable conditions for efficient heat exchange, especially in regions with fluctuating ambient temperatures. Water or water-glycol mixtures are often used as heat transfer media because they enable higher heat transport capacity compared to air alone and support more stable heat management.
Two technologies are primarily used in liquid-air cooling systems: CRAC units, which use refrigerant-based direct evaporation circuits, and water-based CRAH units, which operate with chilled water from a central cooling plant. While CRAC systems are typically self-contained and suitable for local cooling requirements, CRAH systems are often part of larger, centralized cold water infrastructures designed for scalable and energy-efficient data center operation.
Precise process measurement is essential to ensure reliable and efficient operation of these cooling concepts. KROHNE offers a comprehensive portfolio of flow, temperature, and pressure measurement solutions for air, water, glycol, and refrigerant-based systems. Our technologies are designed for high accuracy, long-term stability, and robust performance under changing load conditions. With flexible installation options and seamless integration into building management and DCIM systems, KROHNE's measuring devices provide the data transparency needed to optimize cooling performance, improve energy efficiency, and protect the business-critical infrastructure of data centers.