Daikin expands its data center cooling portfolio with the launch of the Pro-C CRAH range

Unlocking Efficiency – Seven standout features of the Daikin Pro-C CRAH unit

1. Flexibility for any data center layout

This unit is available in two configurations: for hard floors and for raised floor. In the case of hard floors, either  the split or compact configuration can be chosen. For raised floors, only the split configuration is available, which includes an optimized heat exchanger with high energy efficiency that recovers heat from the expelled air and transfers it to the inlet air. This reduces energy consumption.

2. Optimized heat exchanger for maximum efficiency

The features of the Pro-C CRAH ensure an efficient air-cooling system thanks to the heat exchanger and its part-load operation. This eliminates the need for condensate discharge management and air dehumidification, simplifying the system.

By operating at higher chilled water temperatures, this system prevents the formation of condensate that could damage data center equipment. Additionally, the high chilled water temperatures allow perfect adaptation to free cooling chillers, which use lower ambient temperatures to cool water without the use of compressors, thereby increasing the overall system efficiency.

Furthermore, the design of the Daikin Pro-C water coil circuiting has been optimized for higher efficiency, especially under conditions where the temperature differential is significant. The thick aluminium fins with 0.05 mm used for the water coil ensure more robustness and longer lifetime, as data centers operate 24/7.

4.  Integration of pressure-independent control valves

Pro-C CRAH can also be equipped with pressure-independent control valves (PICV) to balance and manage the water flow in the system. This positively impacts the total operating time of the air-cooling equipment and thus temperature control. Thanks to the built-in volumetric flow and temperature sensors and Modbus communication, the PICVs constantly exchange information with the Pro-C control system. In this way, Pro-C can actively control exchanged cooling capacity, ensure stable water flow, better temperature control, and thus lower operating costs. 

5. Advanced control strategies for efficiency & reliability

Data centers typically need high cooling capacities, and thereby many Pro-C CRAH units to keep the air-cooling system continuously operating. Hence, it is important to use control systems that optimise performance and provide the necessary redundancy. This is essential to keep the system running and to maintain the desired temperature conditions.

Daikin's Teamwork feature – a software integrated in the unit – offers additional redundancy and safety during failures or critical states and can adjust capacity individually based on real-time data from the data center hall.

Thanks to constant pressure monitoring in the data hall, Pro-C CRAH’s control system ensure uniform distribution of cold air to prevent hot spots and guarantee efficient cooling. The Daikin control systems are designed to adapt to trends evolving over time, keeping them in line with industry advancements.

Extensive product portfolio for data centers

Next to Pro-C Crah, Daikin's portfolio for data centers includes a variety of cutting-edge products and HVAC systems tailored to meet specific needs including:

• Air-to-water free cooling chillers: Daikin free cooling chillers utilize low ambient air temperatures to reduce the need for mechanical cooling. This lowers energy consumption and extends the equipment’s lifespan. The series includes glycol-free options, which offer additional benefits such as reduced maintenance and improved efficiency. The series covers a range from 183 to 2,154 kW and is available with two compressor technologies: scroll, and VFD screw (Daikin-developed) for optimal part-load efficiency. Additionally, the Daikin-developed VFD is cooled by refrigerant, ensuring proper operation under all working conditions.

• Intelligent data centre manager (iDCM) control system: By leveraging AI-supported plant management, long-term optimal performance is ensured. The iDCM system monitors the system and adjusts the operation of multiple chiller units, to always maintain maximum  efficiency and reliability.
• Pro-W fan array units are designed for flexibility and scalability. These units are available in 4 sizes, covering a range from 175 to 700 kW. Thereby, Pro-W units can be employed to meet the cooling needs of data centers of all sizes, providing efficient and reliable cooling solutions.
• After-sales services: Daikin offers both preventive and corrective maintenance services to ensure the efficiency and reliability of cooling systems in data centers during ongoing operation.  Additionally, the services of ‘Daikin on Site (DoS)’ provide  real-time remote monitoring to identify and resolve issues before they affect system performance.