Alternative air conditioning concepts
The European Parliament’s regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases has set itself the goal of gradually reducing emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases in industry across Europe by 2030 in order to combat climate change. It is also part of this regulation to impose restrictions, requirements, notification or reporting requirements. Clearly define information obligations and label the products accordingly.
What are fluorinated gases?
Fluorinated gases or F-gases is a collective term. These are chemical compounds, i.e. gases that do not occur in nature, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (HFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). These substances are infrared-active and absorb heat and infrared radiation respectively. do not allow them to escape into space. As a result, the earth’s surface warms up. They also radiate heat themselves. This double warming ultimately harms our atmosphere.
Where are fluorinated gases used?
Fluorinated greenhouse gases are used in cooling technology, i.e. in refrigeration, heat and air conditioning pump systems, but also in electrical switchgear or as a greenhouse gas in sprays, foams and insulation materials. Their global warming potential is given in GWP (Global Warming Potential). The higher the GWP value, the more problematic the product is for the climate. This regulation therefore primarily affects products from refrigeration and air-conditioning technology.
Can I help you?
EPS develops individual and climate-friendly air conditioning concepts
As a total solution provider of server rooms , we develop individual air conditioning concepts. “Energy-efficient air conditioning concepts are important in IT rooms and data centers. We strongly recommend switching to air conditioning and refrigeration technology with a lower GWP value. To this end, we offer climate-friendly solutions and advise on the selection of the right refrigerant and the right air conditioning solution in the interests of the environment,” explains Peter Reisinger, Sales Manager at EPS. Natural and cost-efficient means are increasingly being used in the selection of refrigerants in the server room.
Natural refrigerants are substances that occur in nature and have little or no impact on the environment. Especially in the data center, the common natural refrigerants are hydrocarbons, ammonia, carbon dioxide, water and air.
Indirect free cooling is one of our individual air conditioning concepts. It is a method of cooling buildings or data centers that relies on the use of outdoor air as the primary source of cooling, but without direct contact between the outdoor and indoor air.
How indirect free cooling works
Heat exchanger principle:
- The warm indoor air releases its heat to the cooler outside air via a heat exchanger.
- The air flows (inside/outside) remain separate, so there is no contamination.
Evaporative cooling:
- The outside air can be humidified before entering the heat exchanger.
- Evaporation further cools the outside air, which increases efficiency.
Combination with mechanical cooling:
- At particularly high outside temperatures, indirect free cooling can be combined with mechanical cooling to achieve the desired temperature.
Advantages of indirect free cooling
Energy efficiency:
- Lower energy consumption compared to purely mechanical cooling.
- Uses natural temperature fluctuations of the outside air.
Hygienic advantages:
- No outdoor air contamination, which is especially important in sterile environments (e.g. data centers).
Reduction of CO₂ emissions:
- The lower power consumption minimizes the ecological footprint
Cost-effectiveness:
- Lower operating costs compared to conventional cooling systems.
Applications
Data centers:
- Particularly popular due to the high heat loads and the requirements for clean indoor air.
Industrial buildings:
- Manufacturing processes that require constant temperatures.
Office Building:
- For sustainable and efficient air conditioning.
Trends and developments
Many data centers now rely on combinations of natural refrigerants and energy-efficient technologies. Free cooling in particular uses natural environmental conditions such as cold outside air or cold water from rivers and lakes for cooling in the data center .
