Data centre air system

Rittal has launched a cold aisle containment system that enables data centre managers to increase energy efficiency by optimising the operating temperature of their IT equipment.

The system provides conditioned air to an enclosed ‘cold aisle’, which ensures the thermal dynamics within the data centre do not impact on the volume of cold air delivered to the front of the IT equipment. The system prevents the mixing of cold and warm air in the room and helps to ensure return air temperatures to air conditioning equipment is at a higher temperature.

The system operates by guiding the cooled air over the data centre’s raised floor into a closed cold aisle between the server racks. The hardware components are cooled as much as required and then blow the air (now heated) into the surrounding room, where it rises to the top.

A ‘cushion’ of warm air is then formed below the ceiling. As the cold aisle is blocked off, warm air cannot enter. The exhaust air, now heated, can then be freely extracted from the room via the air conditioning unit and, once cooled, let in again as cold air.

The system also protects against sound emissions, creates a pleasant temperature for staff and can be used with both conventional air circulation equipment and liquid cooling systems.