KROHNE introduces data centre liquid cooling flowmeters
Author: Joe Peck
KROHNE, a German manufacturer of process instrumentation and flow measurement technology, is targeting data centre cooling efficiency with its flow measurement technology, including chilled water and liquid-to-chip applications, as operators manage increasing power and rack densities.
The company’s electromagnetic and ultrasonic flowmeters measure liquid flow in cooling water loops, secondary circuits, and heat recovery systems. This data can then be used to monitor coolant distribution, manage pump and valve operation, and assess thermal performance.
In liquid-to-chip cooling systems, flow measurement can help operators monitor glycol-water and other coolant circuits supplying individual racks and processors. Accurate flow data can also support automated control systems that adjust pump speeds and valve positions according to cooling requirements.
Flow measurement supports heat recovery
According to KROHNE, one data centre project using hybrid liquid cooling and waste heat recovery deployed approximately 40 KROHNE OPTIFLUX 4100 electromagnetic flowmeters to measure glycol-water flow through cooling circuits ranging from DN100 to DN250.
The measurements are used to monitor heat dissipation and system efficiency, as well as support a thermal management system that captures waste heat for use in district heating networks.
KROHNE also supplies flowmeters and temperature sensors for heating circuits, heat exchangers, and district heating connections. Measuring heat and cold transfer can help operators assess system performance and monitor the results of efficiency measures.
The company cites other applications where flow and temperature measurement has been used to track hot and chilled water between geothermal probes, heat pumps, and concrete core conditioning systems. In one building-scale installation, the monitoring contributed to reduced natural gas consumption.
KROHNE says its flowmeters are designed for long-term operation in demanding industrial environments, with applications including chemical processing and wastewater treatment. The technology can be integrated with existing monitoring and control systems used for data centre energy management.
