Keeping your data center cool can take up a significant portion of your annual operating budget. Therefore, it’s essential to design a data centre piping system that will prevent servers and sensitive equipment from overheating. From materials to best practices, there are many factors to consider before building or replacing a data center cooling system.
What Is the Role of Piping in Data Centre Cooling?
Data center cooling focuses on maintaining safe operating conditions for data center equipment. Without a reliable cooling system, the heat generated by servers and other components in a data centre quickly becomes problematic. One of the most common approaches incorporates plastic piping systems to distribute chilled water throughout the facility.
Keeping Your Data Center Cool
Liquid cooling methods are very popular in the Middle East. A liquid cooling system uses KPS piping and other piping solutions to move water and coolant throughout your facility. Let’s look at some of the components that aid in efficient heat transfer:
- CRAH units: Computer Room Air Handler units use fans, a water chiller system, and cooling coils to disperse heat.
- CRAC units: Computer Room AC units employ mechanical refrigeration to keep your data center cool.
- Backup generator: Backup power equipment minimizes downtime and promotes continuous operation of the cooling system. You can also work with the Uptime Institute for guidelines on keeping your data centre up and running.
- Heat exchangers: These important components transfer heat from the chilled water systems to the ambient air.
- Piping system: Last but not least, the piping system is a major factor in improving efficiency. For instance, you can install pre-insulated pipes for your containment solution.
- Specialized flooring: Raised floors also play a part in effective data center design by promoting airflow.
- Valves, plastic pipes, and plumbing systems comprise the backbone of your cooling system. They work together to ensure efficient fluid flow and temperature control. You’ll need to follow a regular maintenance routine to prevent leaks and equipment failure. Upgrading to valves, pipes, and other components made of high-quality materials will increase your cooling system’s reliability.
Join other data centers using high-quality parts and expertise to implement immersion cooling and other innovative approaches that keep the heat away from busy servers.
Best Practices in Data Center Cooling
Whether you’re the data center operator or another decision-maker, efficient cooling practices prevent excess water usage that can drive up costs. Leveraging the latest artificial intelligence technology leads to high performance and minimal equipment failure.
Data centers can optimize their coolant distribution unit performance by promoting efficient flow and pressure drop prevention.
Other best practices for data center pipe systems include:
- Efficient fluid distribution: A well-designed piping system distributes coolant evenly throughout the facility. By eliminating hotspots, you can prevent equipment failure and prolong the lifetime of expensive hardware.
- Pressure regulation: Sudden pressure drops lead to more energy consumption since your pumps go into overdrive to maintain optimal flow rates. Minimizing pressure drops prevents excess wear and tear on your pipes, valves, and other cooling system components. This leads to a more stable cooling system for data centres.
- Corrosion prevention: Piping used in cooling systems must withstand corrosion and scaling due to liquids and heat-dispersing chemicals. A corroded pipe may clog or leak, resulting in contamination. Speak with your representative to discuss the best materials for data center applications.
- Modular cooling system design: Just as you need room to add more servers to meet client demands, you’ll need to consider how to expand your cooling system to grow with your business. Modular expansion involves a flexible design that scales with your needs without requiring major renovations.
Material Choices
Choosing the right materials for data center piping systems is crucial for ensuring compatibility and performance. Stainless steel provides durability and resistance to harsh environments. Polypropylene is lightweight and resists chemical corrosion. Additionally, it’s easy to maintain, making it a good fit for data centers trying to contain costs. On the other hand, copper offers excellent thermal conductivity and flexibility. So, how can you choose the best material for your data center’s cooling system?
Working with a reputable company will provide the guidance you need to make the right decisions. Here is a bit more about the different types of data center piping.
Stainless Steel Pipes
Stainless steel pipes are highly durable, resisting corrosion and withstanding high temperatures. We recommend them for long-term use in cooling systems. They reduce the risk of leaks or failures. Additionally, stainless steel’s mechanical strength supports high pressures without losing structural integrity, making it suitable for high-density server environments.
Stainless steel works well with numerous coolants, such as deionized water and refrigerants. These pipes require minimal maintenance, which helps reduce operational costs and enhance system longevity.
Polypropylene Pipes
Polypropylene pipes, lighter than traditional metal pipes, are simple to install, reducing labor costs. They offer chemical resistance, which prevents contamination of cooling fluids and maintains the pipes’ integrity and performance over time.
These pipes are also cost-effective and durable, meaning fewer replacements and repairs are needed, lowering long-term expenses. Their flexibility allows for easier routing and installation in complex cooling systems, making them ideal for retrofits and upgrades.
Copper Pipes
Copper pipes are known for their excellent thermal conductivity, which facilitates efficient heat transfer and cooling. They also possess antimicrobial properties. High flexibility makes it easy to install in data centers with complex layouts. Additionally, copper is compatible with various coolants, ensuring system integrity without chemical reactions.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipes
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are highly resistant to corrosion, making them suitable for use with various coolants. They withstand high pressures, ensuring a long service life.
HDPE pipes are lightweight and easy to handle. You can recycle them, making it an environmentally friendly option for data center cooling systems.
Using the right materials and taking in centre-specific requirements, you can ensure optimal temperature control without sacrificing cost efficiency.
Contact Simlecco About How to Optimize Your Data Center Piping
Now that you understand the role of piping in data center cooling, you may have additional questions about how to find the right supplier. Stainless steel, HDPE, and other piping all have unique qualities. Talk to us about your data center configuration so we can point you to the parts and equipment that will make your life as a data center operator easier.
Explore our products online or speak with an experienced Simlecco team member about the piping needs of your data center cooling system. Since 1994, Simlecco has provided custom valves, fittings, and piping for a variety of industries. Let us help you save money and minimize downtown with a modular, easy-to-maintain solution. Contact us today to get started!
