The project involved the mechanical installation of a Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) system designed to support new high-density IT equipment. This advanced cooling solution replaces the traditional air-cooled system, providing significantly improved thermal management, energy efficiency, and overall performance. Following the success of this installation, Dell has adopted Direct Liquid Cooling as the standard for their data centres and is now expanding its deployment across European and American operations.
Scope of Project
- Installed 4 No. 1.6 MW air-cooled chillers within a newly constructed chiller yard to provide the primary cooling capacity for the Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) system.
- Installed new stainless-steel pipework, support brackets, valves, pumps, buffer vessel, pressurisation units, and filters within the existing boiler house.
- Carried out a complex installation of Ø300 mm stainless steel primary flow and return lines routed from the boiler house, beneath a roadway, vertically up the building façade, and across the roof.
All pipework was completed with full bracketry, thermal insulation, and weatherproof cladding. - Installed stainless steel pipework from Cooling Distribution Units (CDUs) to the individual IT racks, ensuring reliable and efficient cooling delivery to all connected equipment.
- Filled the complete system with 37,000 litres of pre-mixed water/glycol solution, supplied via 2 No. bulk tankers delivered to site.
- Fully commissioned the chilled water (CHW) pipework system, coordinating closely with BMS and electrical contractors to achieve fine balancing and ensure performance aligned with IT equipment cooling requirements.