How Can Air Filters Reduce the Operating Costs for Data Centers？

With the coming of the digital age, the data center industry is experiencing significant growth. In the daily operation of data centers, how to efficiently control air quality to help reduce energy consumption and heat generation has become a crucial issue for the air filtration industry. Today, we will focus on how to utilize air filters to reduce data center operating costs.

Contents

1. The Role of Data Center HVAC Filtration Systems

2. Common Air Pollutants and Sources in Data Centers

3. The Impact of Poor Air Quality on Data Centers

4. Data Center Air Filtration Solutions

5. Types of Air Filters Used in Data Centers

6. Maintenance of Data Center Air Filtration Systems

7. Conclusion

The Role of Data Center HVAC Filtration Systems

Data centers house a large number of servers and computing hardware that operate at high speeds around the clock, continuously releasing heat. To prevent equipment failure due to overheating, cooling and ventilation systems are needed to reduce heat buildup and maintain optimal airflow. Simultaneously, because precision electronic equipment is highly sensitive to environmental cleanliness, filtration systems are required to thoroughly purify the air entering the data center to ensure that indoor cleanliness meets the required standards, thereby guaranteeing the accurate operation of all equipment.

Common Air Pollutants and Sources in Data Centers

Common air pollutants in data centers include dust, pollen, bacteria, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The main sources of these pollutants include:

>>> The entry of outside air

>>> Operations within equipment and the server room

>>> Impurities brought in by personnel

The Impact of Poor Air Quality on Data Centers

When air quality in a data center is poor, dust and particulate matter accumulate on critical components, leading to a series of equipment problems and resulting in the following serious consequences:

>>> Overheating:Poor air quality means that dust and other particulate matter can clog ventilation channels, reducing airflow efficiency. The accumulated heat increases the risk of overheating, thus shortening hardware lifespan.

>>> Increased Energy Consumption and Costs: Slower airflow increases resistance, requiring the system to consume more energy to maintain normal data center operation. Simultaneously, contaminated equipment requires more frequent cleaning and replacement, increasing personnel and procurement costs.

>>> Hardware Damage: Corrosive gases such as sulfur dioxide or chlorine in the air react with moisture to form acids, corroding circuit boards and connectors, ultimately leading to short circuits and data loss.

>>> Environmental damage: Data center energy consumption is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Overheating necessitates additional cooling measures, further increasing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Data Center Air Filtration Solutions

To reduce operating costs, data centers should implement effective air filtration solutions:

>>> Use HEPA filters: HEPA filters capture up to 99.99995% @MPPS, effectively improving air quality. Low-pressure-drop HEPA filters can also be selected, balancing filtration efficiency and energy consumption.

>>> Integrated equipment with multi-stage filtration: Installing integrated purification equipment such as FFUs or HEPA air vents, combined with a multi-stage filtration system, improves filtration efficiency while ensuring even airflow, reducing operating costs and saving energy.

>>> Efficient airflow design: Filters can be installed on the supply air side (air entering the server room) or the return air side (air returning to HVAC equipment). Supply-side filtration ensures clean air enters the server room, while return-side filters protect HVAC equipment from particulate matter buildup.

>>> Pressurize critical areas: Pressurizing critical areas is also an effective leak prevention strategy; even if a leak occurs, airflow will still flow from the critical area outwards.

Types of Air Filters Used in Data Centers

For data centers, a suitable air filtration system is the first line of defense against air pollution. Common air filters mainly include the following:

>>> Pre-filters

In the entire filtration system, a pre-filter is usually placed at the air inlet. They are mainly used to intercept larger particles such as dust and pollen. These filters have low replacement costs and can effectively protect the subsequent high-efficiency filters, reducing their replacement frequency.

>>> HEPA/ULPA Filters

High-efficiency filters are mainly used to capture PM10, PM2.5, and even smaller particles, with a capture efficiency of up to 99.999995%@MPPS. They are a key component of the entire filtration system.

>>> Gas-phase Filters

Chemical pollutants can cause corrosion and severely damage the precision equipment in data centers. Activated carbon filters can remove harmful gases and odors, improve air quality, and eliminate the risks posed by chemical pollutants.

Maintenance of Data Center Air Filtration Systems

In the daily operation of a data center, the maintenance of the air filtration system cannot be ignored. To ensure your data center's filtration system functions optimally, the following steps should be taken in your daily operations:

>>> Regularly maintain the air filtration system: Conduct regular inspections and maintenance of purification equipment and filters to prevent unexpected malfunctions and ensure stable air quality.

>>> Regularly replace filters: Develop a reasonable replacement schedule based on the operating environment and filter type to guarantee continuous air quality.

>>> Real-time monitoring: Utilize intelligent monitoring systems to monitor the ambient air quality index in real time, promptly identify problems, and prevent larger incidents.

Conclusion

By selecting appropriate air filters and performing regular maintenance and replacement, you can improve data center air quality while effectively increasing work efficiency and reducing operating costs. If you have any questions about data center filtration systems, please feel free to contact Amorair Global.