Data centre cooling with Wilo pumps
Keeping data cool around the clock
Data never sleeps – and neither does the server infrastructure of a data centre. The heat generated needs to be continuously dissipated, making high-performance cooling essential. At the Google Data Centre in Hamina, Finland, Wilo pumps play a central role: Wilo-CronoLine-IL pumps move cooling water through the system and adapt their performance to the respective requirements.
Making smart use of the location for cooling
Located directly on the Gulf of Finland, the Google Data Centre in Hamina uses seawater in its cooling system. The cooling concept therefore takes advantage of the site's particular conditions and reduces the need for conventional cooling technology.
At the heart of the system are Wilo-CronoLine-IL pumps. Installed directly in the pipework, they transport the required volumes of cooling water and provide the flow rates needed to meet the respective cooling loads.
Performance that adapts to cooling demand
Data centre cooling is not simply about moving large volumes of water. Pump performance also needs to be matched to the actual requirements of the system.
The Wilo-CronoLine-IL pumps installed in Hamina operate in pipework ranging from DN 150 to DN 200. Their specific impeller geometry and flow-optimised coating contribute to high hydraulic efficiencies: more than 80% for DN 150 and over 70% for DN 200. The installed motors achieve an efficiency of 94%.
Frequency converters allow the pump speed to be adjusted to the respective cooling demand. This can reduce energy consumption compared with uncontrolled operation.
Designed for 24/7 operation
Data centres place high demands on their technical infrastructure. This also applies to the pump technology used in the cooling circuit. Alongside hydraulic design, construction and material selection therefore play an important role.
The housings and impellers of the Wilo-CronoLine-IL pumps are made from cast iron with lamellar or spheroidal graphite. A specially designed pump lantern supports the controlled drainage of condensate that can form when cold fluids are pumped under certain ambient conditions. This helps reduce corrosion-related stresses on relevant components.
The mechanical seals are also designed for the respective operating conditions. The combination of carbon graphite, silicon carbide, EPDM and stainless steel supports long maintenance intervals.
[1] Report „Clicking Clean“, April 2014, Greenpeace
[2] Prognose „VNI Complete Forecast Highlights“, Stand Juli 2016, CISCO
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