ExhaustFlow Technologies has announced broad availability of its patented integrated base system for air-cooled data center chiller plants. The system is designed for new and retrofit installations and, according to the company, can provide up to 25% more cooling capacity without water consumption, changes to chiller internals or controls, or equipment downtime during retrofits.
The system addresses condenser air recirculation in dense chiller arrays, where hot discharge air can return to the condenser intakes of neighbouring units. ExhaustFlow Technologies says this can raise condenser inlet temperatures by 10–30°F (approximately 5.6–16.7°C above ambient), reducing chiller capacity and increasing electrical demand. Its system routes ambient air from outside the recirculation zone to create more uniform inlet temperatures across the array.
Company CFD modelling for a 400-ton (approximately 1,407 kW) air-cooled chiller application showed chiller efficiency changing from 1.28 to 1.04 kW/ton, an 18.8% improvement. Input power fell from 513 kW to 415 kW, while minimum circuit ampacity decreased from 818 A to 650 A and maximum overcurrent protection from 1,200 A to 800 A. The modelling also indicated zero water consumption and a water usage effectiveness of 0.
For retrofit projects, the system can integrate with existing chiller arrays without modifying internal components or controls. ExhaustFlow Technologies says installations can often use existing dunnage, proceed while the plant remains operational, and work with chillers and dry coolers from major manufacturers. Site-specific CFD modelling is also available before installation.
“The chiller is not the constraint. The air around it is. EFT addresses that directly — from the same equipment that is already in the ground,” said Ralph Breisch, SVP of Global Sales and Marketing at ExhaustFlow Technologies.
