The consistent and accelerating rise in IT equipment density—driven by modern computational trends such as cloud computing, big data analytics, and intensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads—has necessitated a fundamental Shift in Data Center Cooling to Row-Based In-Row Cooling. This industry evolution directly reflects the Data Center Cooling Model’s Shift to In-Row Direct Expansion Technology.
Traditional perimeter cooling systems, which were designed to push conditioned air across large open rooms, are proving inefficient and increasingly struggling to manage thermal output effectively when individual rack power loads exceed the critical threshold of 5 kW to 7 kW. At these densities, perimeter systems fail to prevent dangerous hotspots and lead to undesirable temperature differentials. Row-Based Cooling resolves these issues by placing the cooling unit directly within the server row, positioning it optimally close to the heat source for maximum thermal efficiency and precise control. This approach minimizes the distance air must travel and allows for highly predictable, targeted cooling.
At Coolnet, we specialize in the deployment of these high-precision, in-row systems. Our Cool-Row Series 600mm In-Row PAC (Precision Air Conditioning) unit (with a cooling capacity ranging from 32 point 5 kW to 63 point 9 kW) is expertly engineered to solve the complex thermal challenges of modern, high-density environments. By adopting our solutions, data centers can implement a highly predictable, scalable, and energy-efficient cooling strategy, ensuring system stability while achieving excellent thermal performance metrics.
The Working Mechanism and Technical Characteristics of DX In-Row Cooling
DX In-Row Cooling (Direct Expansion In-Row Cooling) systems are highly effective because they remove the inefficiencies of long air travel and air mixing inherent in room-based cooling.
Working Mechanism:
Direct Heat Capture: The unit is physically placed in the row, facing the hot aisle. It directly draws the hot exhaust air from the back of the servers into its side intake.
Heat Removal: The unit contains a DX evaporator coil, utilizing refrigerant (such as R410A) to absorb the heat directly from the captured hot air.
Cool Air Delivery: The now-cooled air is discharged horizontally into the contained cold aisle, where it is immediately drawn into the front of the server racks.
This close-coupled architecture drastically reduces the distance the air has to travel, ensuring the IT equipment receives consistent, cold supply air.
Technical Characteristics:
High Sensible Heat Ratio (SHR): DX In-Row units are optimized to remove virtually only sensible heat (dry heat generated by IT equipment), wasting minimal energy on dehumidification.
Variable Capacity Control: Our units feature full-frequency conversion designs, integrating Inverter Compressors and Electronic Expansion Valves (EEV). This allows the cooling capacity of the Cool-Row series 600mm inline PACs to be precisely adjusted within a power range of 32.5 kW to 63.9 kW to match actual dynamic IT loads, which is crucial for improving efficiency.
EC Fan Technology: Equipped with high-efficiency EC (Electronically Commutated) fans, the units adjust airflow dynamically, further saving power compared to traditional AC motors.
The Advantages of Row-Based Cooling in Space Utilization and Cooling Efficiency
The move to a row-based cooling approach offers distinct, measurable advantages over traditional CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioner) units placed on the room perimeter.
Improved Cooling Efficiency:
Reduced Air Mixing: By confining the cooling loop to the row, the system prevents the mixing of hot exhaust air and cold supply air. This maximizes the temperature differential, significantly boosting the overall cooling efficiency and allowing the cooling units to operate at higher return air temperatures, which saves energy.
Targeted Cooling: Cooling is delivered exactly where it is needed—right next to the heat source. This eliminates thermal hotspots, even in racks carrying high loads.
Enhanced Space Utilization:
Elimination of Raised Floors: Row-based cooling often eliminates the need for a raised floor, freeing the data center design from this restrictive and costly infrastructure component.
Scalable Architecture: Cooling capacity can be added incrementally by simply placing new cooling units alongside new server racks. This modularity ensures a scalable, pay-as-you-grow strategy, preserving capital expenditure until capacity is required.
Performance and Energy-Saving Value of DX Row-Based Cooling in High-Density Environments
The superior performance of DX Row-Based Cooling directly translates into significant energy-saving value, making it essential for high-density environments where PUE optimization is a priority.
PUE Reduction: By directly capturing heat and utilizing variable capacity components (Inverter Compressor, EC Fans), PUE Reduction: By directly capturing heat and utilizing variable capacity components (inverter compressors, EC fans), our Cool-Row series 600mm in-row PAC units reduce energy consumption at partial load, thereby lowering data center PUE to industry-leading benchmark levels.
Precise Load Matching: The ability of the DX In-Row cooling system to adjust its output in real-time to match IT load changes ensures that the unit is never wasting energy by over-cooling. This precision helps maintain a consistent environment, crucial for equipment reliability.
High Density Support: The close-coupled design of the 600mm wide unit enables the cooling of high-density racks without the risk of air starvation or recirculation, allowing data centers to maximize the compute power housed within a given physical footprint. This makes the Cool-Row Series an ideal product for inter-column cooling in modern data centers.
Conclusion: Building a More Efficient Data Center Cooling System Using Row-Based In-Row Cooling
The future of data center thermal management is defined by precision and proximity. Coolnet‘s DX In-Row Cooling systems, specifically the Cool-Row Series 600mm In-Row PAC (32.5~63.9kw), provide a scalable, efficient, and intelligent cooling strategy necessary for modern high-density IT environments.
By integrating the superior thermal dynamics of row-based cooling with the efficiency of variable capacity DX technology, we empower our partners to build flexible, high-performance data center infrastructure. Deploying our Cool-Row Series 600mm In-Row PAC is a direct step toward achieving a more efficient, reliable, and lower-PUE data center operation.
