Daikin announces the launch of its new Pro-C computer room air handler (CRAH), extending Daikin Data Center product portfolio. Designed to meet any Data Center configurations cooling needs, this unit offers an optimised design and advanced control strategies. The product will be manufactured in the two factories in Italy and UK ensuring best-in-class delivery time and low transport costs.
Product Overview
The Pro-C unit is an ideal solution for thermal management, featuring third-party certified performance. Its cooling capacity range is from 30 kW to 210 kW. Thanks to its flexibility and modularity, it can perfectly adapt to any Data Center layouts and requirements.
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Efficiency is one the key aspects, achieved thanks to product’s main features, such as optimized chilled water heat exchangers, latest generation of EC fan, and the integration of pressure-independent control valves and active harmonic filters. Reliability is guaranteed thanks to the presence of an advanced control solution strategies and automatic transfer switches to prevent any power failures.
New Daikin CRAH: 7 reasons to choose it
Reason #1 Flexibility
The Pro-C design is flexible and modular making it ideal for all types of Data Centers' requirements. This unit is available in two configurations: hard floor and raised floor. Hard floor can be selected in split or compact configuration, while for raised floor only in split version. On top of that, the unit configuration for raised floors includes an optimized heat exchanger, which ensures high energy efficiency by recovering heat from the expelled air and transferring it to the inlet air. This process reduces energy consumption.
Reason #2: Optimized Heat Exchanger
Pro-C features ensure air-cooling system efficiency by providing efficient part-load operation, focusing exclusively on sensible heat exchange. This approach simplifies the system by eliminating the need for condensate discharge management and air dehumidification. By operating at higher chilled water temperatures, the system prevents the formation of condensate that could damage Data Center equipment. In addition, the high chilled water temperatures allow perfect adaptation to free cooling chillers, which use lower ambient temperatures to cool water without the use of compressors. Daikin water coil circuiting design has been optimized for high efficiency, especially in conditions where the temperature differential is significant. In addition, the thick aluminium fins used for the water coil of the Pro-C as a standard, ensure more robustness and longer lifetime, as Data Centers are working 24h non-stop.
Reason #3 EC fan with active Power Factor Correction (PFC)
EC fans use brushless DC motors, which have a longer lifespan than traditional ones. By matching the cooling load to the Data Center's needs, they dynamically respond to variations in the heat load generated by server activity and associated equipment. This results in precise speed control, lower energy consumption. As well, EC fans are equipped with active Power Factor Correction (PFC), minimizing harmonic distortion and correcting power factor, thereby improving overall efficiency.
Reason #4: Integration of Pressure-independent Control Valves
Pro-C can also be equipped with Pressure-independent control valves to properly manage the water flow, positively impacting on the total air-cooling equipment running time and therefore temperature control. Pressure control valves integration can ensure a stable flow, better temperature control and therefore lower operating costs.
Reason #5 Daikin-own advanced control strategies enhancing efficiency and reliability
Data Centers typically need high cooling capacities, and thereby many CRAH units to keep the air-cooling system properly operating. Hence, it is important to use control systems that optimise performance and provide the necessary redundancy. This is essential to keep the system running and to maintain the desired temperature conditions in the white space. Daikin's Teamwork control function offer additional redundancy and safety during failures or critical states and can adjust capacity individually based on real-time data from the hall. The Daikin control systems are designed to adapt to trends evolving over time, keeping them in line with industry advancements.
Reason #6: Equipment protection against power failures
Reliability is to be ensured even in the event of a power failure. Given the complexity of managing a Data Center, the main requirement is to ensure continuous operation 24/7. The reliability of Pro-C units is therefore crucial for the overall HVAC system's reliability. In this regard, including automatic transfer switches (ATS) within the Pro-C unit assembly is highly recommended. Additionally, an uninterruptible power supply ultra capacitor can be integrated into the Pro-C, allowing it to activate fans promptly as soon as the ATS restores power. Full fan speed is then reached in less than one minute.
Reason #7: Specialised manufacturer capable of handling complexity
Data Center projects are highly complex, often requiring specific air handling unit features, on-time delivery and reliable maintenance services. These requirements can only be met by specialised manufacturers with the expertise and capabilities that customers in this sector expect. Daikin, the world's leading air conditioning company, meets these needs with its global presence, including sales offices, product development and manufacturing facilities. In Europe, Daikin's air handling and CRAH units are designed and manufactured at two sites: Caleppio di Settala (Italy), and Cramlington (Northumberland, UK). This arrangement provides manufacturing flexibility and reduces transport costs due to the proximity of these facilities to installation sites across Europe. In addition, Daikin's extensive global service network ensures prompt and competent service coverage for Data Centre installations, increasing reliability and customer satisfaction. Additionally, Daikin offers the opportunity to test the machines before delivery to verify their performance and compliance with project specifications. This ensures reliability and optimal performance under the demanding conditions of Data Center operations.
Extensive product portfolio for Data Center
Daikin's portfolio for Data Centers includes a variety of cutting-edge products and systems tailored to meet specific needs. A summary description of the portfolio is provided here below:
- Air-to-water free cooling chillers: Daikin free cooling chillers utilise low ambient air temperatures to reduce the need for mechanical cooling, thereby cutting energy consumption and extending equipment life. The series includes glycol-free options, which offer additional benefits such as reduced maintenance and improved efficiency. The series covers from 183 to 2154 kW and is available under two compressor technologies: scroll, and VFD screw (Daikin-developed) for optimal part load efficiency. Also, Daikin-owned VFD is cooled down by refrigerant, ensuring proper operation in all working conditions.
- Intelligent Data Centre Manager (iDCM) control system: it ensures optimal performance over time by leveraging AI-supported plant management. The iDCM system monitors and adjusts the operation of multiple chiller units, to maintain peak efficiency and reliability.
- Pro-W Fan Array units: designed for flexibility and scalability. These units are available in 4 sizes, covering from 175 to 700 kW. Thereby, Pro-W units can be employed to meet the cooling needs of Data Centers of all sizes, providing efficient and reliable cooling solutions.
- Pro-C CRAH units: the ideal solution for thermal management, featuring optimized design and advanced control strategies. Available in two configurations, covering from 30 kW to 210 kW, it meets the demands of any Data Center configuration, ensuring precise temperature control, flexibility, redundancy, and low operating costs.
- After-sales services: Daikin can provide preventive and corrective maintenance services to ensure the efficiency and reliability of Data Center cooling systems. Additionally, Daikin on Site (DoS) offers real-time remote monitoring to identify and resolve issues before they affect system performance.