As data centers expand to support artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure, their energy demands are surging, especially for process cooling. Efficient thermal management is no longer optional; it’s essential for uptime, energy efficiency, and cost efficiency. Traditional cooling systems like vapor compression chillers and evaporative towers often struggle to balance performance with environmental impact. That’s where adiabatic cooling, like Atlas Copco’s TDV series coolers, are gaining traction. These systems are a smart, scalable solution for data centers looking to maximize efficiency of their operations.
What is adiabatic cooling?
Adiabatic cooling is a process that cools air through the natural evaporation of water, without relying on mechanical refrigeration. Atlas Copco’s TDV adiabatic coolers use ambient air to cool water circuits, activating water mist only when temperatures rise. The system takes advantage of the difference between dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature. When water evaporates from adiabatic pads, it lowers the incoming air temperature toward the wet bulb value, enhancing heat exchange efficiency. This allows TDV units to deliver consistent cooling with minimal water use and no contamination, making them a smart, sustainable alternative to traditional cooling towers.
Data Centers and Smart Cooling
As data centers evolve to accommodate compact, high-performance servers, the resulting rise in heat density demands smarter, more adaptive cooling solutions. Traditional systems like evaporative towers and mechanical chillers often fall short in balancing efficiency with environmental responsibility. Atlas Copco’s advanced cooling technologies offer a compelling alternative by integrating adiabatic pre-cooling and free-cooling sections to reduce energy consumption and water usage. These systems are designed for both indoor and outdoor deployment, making them versatile across diverse operational environments. By complying with the EcoDesign Directive and achieving high Seasonal Energy Performance Ratios (SEPR1), Atlas Copco’s chillers help data centers lower their carbon footprint while maintaining optimal thermal performance.
Efficiency Gains and Environmental Impact
Adiabatic cooling systems from Atlas Copco offer significant efficiency gains by leveraging ambient air and water evaporation to reduce energy consumption and operational costs. Unlike traditional chillers that rely on refrigerant compressors or cooling towers that demand extensive water treatment and infrastructure, TDV units activate water mist only during peak temperatures, minimizing water usage and eliminating contamination risks. This smart cooling approach, combined with dynamic fan control and remote monitoring via Elektronikon MkV S Touch, helps facilities achieve lower Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) by optimizing thermal performance without excessive resource consumption. The result is a more sustainable cooling strategy that aligns with environmental goals and reduces total cost of ownership.
Maintenance and Monitoring
Atlas Copco’s advanced maintenance and monitoring ecosystem is built around SMARTLINK technology, a powerful connectivity platform that enables predictive maintenance through real-time data insights. By continuously tracking equipment health, SMARTLINK helps operators anticipate issues before they escalate, minimizing downtime and optimizing performance. Complementing this are tailored service plans and remote diagnostics, which ensure timely interventions and streamlined support across installations. This combination of intelligent monitoring and low-maintenance components delivers long-term operational and energy efficiency.
For data center operators facing rising thermal loads and tighter energy efficiency targets, Atlas Copco’s adiabatic cooling systems present a future focused solution that balances efficient performance with environmental responsibility. With smart features like dynamic fan control, low water usage, predictive monitoring, and compliance with strict efficiency standards, these coolers reduce operational costs while enhancing reliability and uptime. As the demand for greener infrastructure soars, technologies like TDV adiabatic coolers are positioned to lead the shift toward sustainable cooling. To stay ahead of regulatory pressures and energy challenges, explore how Atlas Copco’s cooling portfolio can equip your data center operations for the future with intelligent design and measurable impact.
Explore Atlas Copco's TDV series adiabatic coolers and how they're contributing to improving data center efficiency.
If you would like to know more about process cooling for data centers, reach out to our experts today.
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