Computational Fluid Dynamics model of an optimized data center illustrating cold-aisle isolation and Wright Line's heat containment system

Airflow management system designer and manufacturer Wright Line launched a new suite of thermal management solutions for data centers on Monday. The suite includes a heat containment system, end-of-row doors, end-of-row curtains and aisle containment ceilings.

Data center owners and operators can either purchase the whole suite or deploy the solutions separately as their needs dictate.

"Every data center has unique issues of concern," Wright Line VP of Product Development and Services Carl Cottuli said in a statement. "We don't advocate one solution over another. Rather, we work with data center professionals to audit current operations and then develop a comprehensive airflow management strategy that makes the most sense for that facility."

The company's heat containment system can cool up to 25 kW per enclosure, eliminating the need to add supplemental CRAC units. Through a chimney attached to the enclosure, the system directs hot air from IT equipment. The heat exhaust is ducted into existing CRAC units through a plenum ceiling or high air return.

Wright Line end-of-row doors - a "rack-neutral solution" - cut down on the amount of cold air that gets wasted by escaping around the end of the aisle. The doors block obvious cold-air escape routes and prevent entry of re-circulating hot air into the cold-air environment. Total aisle containment is achieved by using the doors in combination with aisle containment ceilings.

The company's ceiling panels mount on Paramount, Vantage S2 and other enclosures sold by third-party manufacturers. The panels are adjustable to accommodate aisle-formation inconsistencies. "Tool-less" brackets allow for easy panel removal, cleaning, maintenance and cable access.

End-of-row curtains are a cheaper and less effective alternative to the aforementioned end-of-row doors. They partially contain air within the aisle, which the company says increases the life of IT equipment and saves energy. Wright Line offers both vinyl and non-vinyl curtains.