Keeping data center air as free of contaminants as possible is essential to operations. It’s important to those working inside the center, and a buildup of pollution could also damage the machinery. Outages are happening too frequently and are only becoming more expensive to deal with.
Pollutants like methane and black carbon are creating the most problems for climate change – and data centers could be compounding thins. Exposure to these gases needs to be minimal to keep servers operating at full capacity. Here’s how to deal with air pollution in data centers.
Can Data Centers Completely Eliminate Air Pollution Exposure?
Data center managers may want to prevent contaminants from entering the facility entirely, but this is likely impossible. Air pollutants get in from equipment upgrades to simply opening the door to get inside. However, people can still work to minimize exposure.
Reducing the number of harmful chemicals in the air is critical for server and human health. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) become dangerous after long-term inhalation, leading to respiratory, central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Additionally, they can start to cause problems for delicate technology.
Even natural particles like pollen and dust can become an issue for data centers. These will probably always be present, but keeping them at a minimum – along with air pollution exposure – is crucial. Corrosion can cause early failure of computers and servers, leading to extensive and costly downtime.
How to Keep Data Center Air Cleaner
Centers have their own set of energy efficiency standards, but they need some help to keep their air clean. Here are a few practical solutions for dealing with pollution.
1. Filtration
Air filtration is an excellent first step in reducing pollutants inside data centers. Higher levels of poor air quality can result in more frequent equipment failures, so robust filtration systems are necessary. These help keep contaminants out while circulating air around the facility.
Filtration is also necessary for data centers that use water-based cooling. Corrosive elements in the liquid can damage the pipes, leading them to burst. Therefore, filtering and treating water in data centers is vital for safety and efficiency.
2. Air Monitoring Systems
When an air filter loses efficiency, an air quality monitor can notify the necessary personnel about the problem. Their entire purpose is to identify the levels of contaminants in the air, potentially keeping records on the hourly and daily rates.
Data center operators can look back at the records once the system alerts them and identify when air quality is dropping. Because they’ll have more advanced notice of when to change the filters, they can reduce the buildup of pollutants. It can also help them keep down humidity – another source of issues for servers and computers.
3. Internet of Things (IoT)
Combining air monitoring with IoT can help data centers access more information about the contamination rates of their facilities. Managers can use this AI-driven learning system to detect the amounts of carbon monoxide and dioxide, VOCs and aerosols.
IoT sensors are particularly efficient because they can tell operators where high pollution levels occur. By knowing exactly where contaminant rates are increasing, the sensors can help indicate what needs fixing – like air filters or faulty windows. Additionally, they can notify of water-based cooling system leaks.
4. High Cleaning Standards
Keeping a data center sanitary is one of the easiest things managers can do to reduce air pollution. Dust and pollen are natural, but they can still cause significant problems for computers once they reach high levels.
Hiring a cleaning company may be in the facility’s best interest. Otherwise, operators can create a regimen for employees to dust servers regularly and clean floors. However, they should have extensive training in this matter to reduce the chances of damage and spills.
Reduce the Effects of Air Pollution in Data Centers
Air pollution can cause many issues for data centers. Excessive amounts of contaminants can lead to corrosion and server failures, leading to expensive downtime. Before this happens, managers should learn how to deal with air pollution in their facilities.
Employing the best technology and services for this purpose can help data centers be more efficient and reduce outages. They can’t fully eliminate air pollution, but they can make it manageable.
