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Determination of aerosol deliquescence and crystallization relative humidity for energy saving in free-cooled data centers

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Abstract

This study examines an innovative application of the aerosol deliquescence and crystallization determination, for corrosion prevention and energy-saving strategies in free-cooled data centers. Aerosol deliquescence and crystallization were investigated by combining standardized aerosol sampling techniques (i.e. EN-14907) with the assessment of the electrical effects of aerosol, while varying relative humidity within a specially designed aerosol exposure chamber. Aerosol samples collected in the Po Valley (Northern Italy) were analysed; a clearly defined hysteresis cycle (deliquescence and crystallization at 60.5 ± 0.8 and 47.9 ± 0.7 % of RH, respectively) was found. Results were applied to a data center designed for the Italian National Oil and Gas Company, making it possible to identify a critical area for direct free cooling at this data center. As a result, aerosol hydration was avoided (thus preventing aerosol from damaging electrical components) and a large amount of energy saved (using free cooling instead of air-conditioning); the potential energy saving achieved in this way was 79 % (compared to the energy consumption of a traditional air-conditioning system): 215 GWh of energy was saved, and 78 fewer kt of equivalent CO2 was emitted per year. Moreover, in order to evaluate whether a real-time estimation of the aerosol hydration state within a data center could be performed, measured deliquescence and crystallization were compared through simulations performed using three different models: two thermodynamic models for deliquescence and a parametric model for crystallization. The results obtained tend to converge in terms of deliquescence, whereas in the case of crystallization, they failed to effectively simulate experimental aerosol behaviour.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the SINOPIAE project (Grant Number: E47I11000520004) funded by the Italian Lombardy Region within the framework of the European Fund for Regional Development FESR 2007–2013. The authors would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers who helped improve the quality of the paper. Finally, this work is dedicated to the memory of Luigi Casati and Maria Luisa Janes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, POLARIS Research Centre, University of Milano-Bicocca, P.zza della Scienza 1, 20126, Milan, Italy

    L. Ferrero, L. D’Angelo, G. Rovelli, G. Sangiorgi, M. G. Perrone, M. Moscatelli, M. Casati, V. Rozzoni & E. Bolzacchini

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  1. L. Ferrero
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  2. L. D’Angelo
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  3. G. Rovelli
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  4. G. Sangiorgi
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  5. M. G. Perrone
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Correspondence to L. Ferrero.

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Ferrero, L., D’Angelo, L., Rovelli, G. et al. Determination of aerosol deliquescence and crystallization relative humidity for energy saving in free-cooled data centers. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 12, 2777–2790 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-014-0680-2

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