The Big Data Institute Oxford
Data Centre- Data Research
Temporary Computer suite Cooling
220kw Cooling 17,500m3/hr Air Volume
To install a reliable temporary computer suite cooling system.
This was a very interesting and sensitive project that required a careful approach and much planning for temporary computer suite cooling.
The Big Data Institute’s server room at Oxford University required critical works to the cooling system to be carried over a weekend. To facilitate this, the fixed cooling system was to be completely shut down.
We designed a full Nplus1 replacement system with power generation for this project.
Focussing the design for 100% (Nplus1) redundancy was important to ensure that the client was comfortable with this temporary computer suite cooling project going ahead.
Due to the sensitivity and space restrictions in the work area a decision was made early to locate all the mechanical services externally. Major advantages included, freeing up internal work space and excluding water from the room.
Two overlapping stand alone systems were installed, each consisting of an ACR 160.120 AHU with a 150kw chiller for cooling. Both were specified to maintain the full cooling load- in this way, if any one system was to fail, full operation would be maintained by the other (nplus1 operation).
Envisaging an element of free cooling due to the season, a full fresh air supply was utilised (no recirculated) with the chillers supplying additional cooling as required. The supply air temperature was maintained at 16 degrees.
Supply air was delivered to the computer suite with 500mm flexible ducts which were moved as required by the engineers.
Overall this temporary computer suite cooling system proved to be a very effective and efficient.
Reassuringly for the customer, the the design included fail safe options which meant that they were comfortable with the works proceeding.
Ultimately, they were very happy with the delivery and operation of the project which was very satisfying for the ACR team.
