APC by Schneider Electric has come out with an interesting new cooling system.  It’s an overhead system which uses a somewhat environmentally-sound refrigerant instead of water for cooling, so that equipment isn’t in danger from water leaks and is effectively cooled in an energy-efficient format.

The InRow® OA and Refrigerant Distribution Unit (RDU) pumped refrigerant cooling system is very adaptable to different data center environments because of its modular nature and adjustable fans.  After being mounted on a rack or installed over a hot aisle, the equipment works by taking in hot air and then cooling it with the refrigerant and re-releasing it into the wild of the data center.

The Green Gorilla objects slightly to the use of R134a as a refrigerant, however.  The site for APC products notes that it has no ozone depletion potential, but according to the article about the chemical on Wikipedia, it does have other negative impacts on the environment like global warming potential.  In fact it’s being banned in all new cars in the European Union starting in 2011.  It may be safer for equipment but we still have to consider its impact on the environment.

Elizabeth English

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