HVAC Cooling Systems for Data Centers

In HVAC Cooling Systems for Data Centers, you'll learn ...

• Key concepts and practices relating to data cooling technology
• Why data centers require highly specialized precision cooling, instead of standard comfort cooling
• Various cooling options for data centers and how to apply them effectively
• Air flow practices that improve conditions for IT equipment and reduce overall HVAC energy consumption

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 4 PDH

Length: 55 pages

The basic physics of a data center is that electricity is converted to heat. Equipment in the data center expends power, which generates heat… thus requiring air conditioning and ventilation equipment to keep the equipment cool and running well. If the temperature rises too high, equipment will begin to malfunction or become damaged as the internal components begin to swell and pull away from each other (or simply burn-up). The cooling system is also required to adjust the humidity of the air and to remove particles. Depending on the climate at a data center’s location, moisture may need to be added or removed. Similarly, the types and amount of particles to be removed from the air are determined by the location and external events.

Data center cooling is a highly specialized area that uses precision cooling equipment that differs from conventional comfort equipment. The combination of heat and the high sensitivity of electronic components in data center environments demand maximum availability and performance of the cooling equipment. Precision cooling systems have been designed specifically for this purpose.

This 4-hr course presents a detailed discussion on the key concepts and practices relating to data cooling technology, as well as air flow practices that improve conditions for IT equipment and reduce overall HVAC energy consumption.

This course is aimed at mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, HVAC consultants and engineers, architects, O & M professionals, facility managers, estimators and general audience. No specific prerequisite training or experience is required.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

• Understand data center space planning and utilities requirements based on current and future needs
• The fundamentals of heat gain, temperature and humidity requirements, pressurization and filtration as they apply to data centers
• The difference between comfort versus precision cooling
• The raised floor and overhead air distribution schemes for data center cooling
• How airflow is managed in a data center to prevent hot air/cool air mixing and the ways to improve this with containment
• Environmental implications, design and system pitfalls as well as energy efficiency optimization
• Key elements of data center cooling systems including CRAC, DX system, chilled water systems, evaporative condensers etc.
• The implications of equipment placement, installation and decommissioning on cooling and energy efficiency
• Free cooling and how it may be applied in various data center scenarios
• HVAC best practices for data centers and how they apply to the specific site and improve energy efficiency
• Benchmark energy efficiency figures for an ideal data center

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 25 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.