UNCOVERING THE LAYERS
This increase in evaporation temperature
further reduces energy consumption.
Comparing the like-for-like performance
of such a system with standard air-cooled
Turbocor-based machines (at AHRI/
EUROVENT conditions, with the same
number and model of compressors) shows
an increase in EER of up to +9.5% with
one compressor and up to +15% with
multiple compressors.
The highest EER value achieved is 4.35,
but the most staggering comparison
comes at part load or full load / less than
peak ambient temperature conditions,
where gains of +25% are typical
compared to even the most efficient
existing Turbocor-based machines.
This gives equivalent efficiency to
Turbocor-based chillers equipped with
adiabatic evaporative systems (at 50%
relative humidity), but without the
additional cost and complication of
installation and maintenance associated
with adiabatic systems.
64
Issue 06
It lends itself to use in refurbishment
projects, where data centre cooling loads
may have increased over time and the
existing chiller is now under-sized, but
where plant space is restricted and unable
to accommodate a larger replacement.
This situation arises often, particularly
in city centres. While manufacturers of
conventional compressor technology seek
to catch up with the compact centrifugal
revolution, those who pioneered the
technology are already several laps ahead
– on both the refinement of the base
technology itself and its application in
ever-more efficient systems. The early
adopters bore the risks but are now
harvesting the fruits of embracing this
game-changing new approach.
For data centre operators wrestling with
the often conflicting demands of rising
cooling loads, limited power head-room
and site space restrictions, these latest
developments in heat exchange and
compressor technology offer potential
solutions not hitherto possible with
conventional mechanical cooling. ◊
WITH TAKE-UP
GROWING ACROSS
THE WORLD,
MANUFACTURERS
OF TRADITIONAL
COOLING
COMPRESSORS
ARE NOW
LOOKING TO
DEVELOP THEIR
OWN MAGNETIC
LEVITATION-
BASED COMPACT
CENTRIFUGAL
SYSTEMS
www.intelligentdatacentres.com